Cat having violent dreams

I've a 16 year old male cat, Oliver. When he sleeps, deeply, he starts thrashing about, leg spasms too. I have to really, really wake him as once in that deep state he takes awhile to become alert. His eyes are back in his head if I try to open them. He's the sweetest guy, ever yet he's gently attacked me when waking him. Anyone have advice? The vet said no issues.

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Elisbch · M

Most of all my dogs and cats have dreamt. A few displayed actions like you described. A dog I had once would try to bite me if I tried to wake him anything more than very softly. It's like he (they) didn't know who it was but he was just startled and went immediately into defense mode protecting himself. Once he realized it was me he stopped his movement toward me immediately. The worst that happened one time early on was he nicked me with one of his teeth. I made sure from them on that I only put my hand on him near his back hips or butt but not his tail. Some dogs can be sensitive about their tails when startled. I would move my hand back and forth gently on his skin just to make him move a little bit. I've done that with the cats too and it seems to work. If you go about touching their face or their neck, they seem to have gotten more aggressive (in my situations) and I think that's because they're startled too much too fast and being too much literally in their face.
The more often you can catch them dreaming and wake them up soon, it's been my experience the sooner they get used to you doing that.

Although I don't remember ever trying this, I like the idea that @Lilnonames mentioned about using food for them to smell to wake them up.

Mikla · 61-69, F

@Elisbch I have no problem waking him, I now do it very gently. However, this happens all night and as he sleeps on my bed, I know the moment its happening. I wake him immediately as he has atrophy in his legs/hips, and I don't want him to fall off the bed (again). Thank you for your response!

Elisbch · M

That is a rough time. I had a little dog that dreamed a lot through the night and as you probably know our bodies and our minds kind of are always aware of what's going on even though we're asleep and if they do something it wakes us. I hope you're getting enough sleep. Hopefully this is temporary and it won't last long. Perhaps if you keep waking him a lot, in time these dreams will subside or go away.
🙏🏻.. you might try changing his routine during the day if possible. If he's interested in playing with something maybe do that for a little bit which would give him some more exercise? (I used to use one of those little red laser dots. Both cats and a couple dogs I've had liked those).
I'm not saying you're not doing this already just that I don't know so I'm suggesting. You might come across something that might help make a change in him? 🙏🏻 .. I wish you all the luck, I understand how troubling this can be. @Mikla

DallasCowboysFan · 61-69, M

@Elisbch You can also call their name.