In America, it's typical for pets to sleep in beds with their owners at night. In the United States, 43% of pet dogs and 49% of pet cats sleep on their owners' beds, according to the 2021–2022 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey.
However, scientists disagree on the benefits (or risks) to your health of sleeping next to your favourite animal buddy.
The Advantages of Having Your Pet Sleep in Your Bed
First, it's important to note that dogs rather than cats have been the subject of the majority of studies on co-sleeping with pets. Internal medicine expert Mark Fierstein, MD, of NYU Langone Health in New York City, hypothesises that this is due to the fact that cats are nocturnal and may wish to play or even intentionally wake up their owner.
Dr. Fierstein notes that in the past, certain populations slept next to their dogs at night in order to benefit from a very important health benefit: heat. For instance, earlier studies found that Indigenous Australians did this.
According to Fierstein, one modern perk of sharing a bed with a pet is that it may reduce feelings of loneliness. According to him, you can also let your dog sleep in his comfortable bed check calmingdogbeds.co.uk to find the best. many people who co-sleep with pets express a greater sense of security, connection, and relaxation. Because of their warmth, steady pulse, and protective nature, dogs can make some people feel comfortable and snug while they sleep next to them.
People who are dealing with trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder may find this to be especially true (PTSD). According to the Sleep Foundation, PTSD sufferers frequently experience sleep problems like sleeplessness and nightmares. According to Fierstein, they "make the client feel at ease and secure." One cross-sectional study published in Frontiers in Psychology in July 2020 found that 57 percent of respondents said service dogs trained in this way helped them manage this defining PTSD symptom. Some service dogs are specifically trained to help people with PTSD cope with nightmares by waking them up when they sense nightmare-related distress in the human.
If you wake up feeling confused, according to Leslie Sinn, DVM, a veterinary behavioural specialist at Behavior Solutions in Ashburn, Virginia, an animal can help you relax. She claims that having the dog around might be quite comforting and reassuring.
According to certain studies, keeping a dog in the bed while you sleep doesn't significantly interrupt your sleep, Fierstein continues. He mentions an observational study from the Mayo Clinic Proceedings from September 2017 that revealed dog owners studied at home had slightly lower sleep efficiency (a measure of time spent sleeping versus time in bed) when their dog slept in their bed compared to owners whose dog slept elsewhere in the room. However, neither situation caused people's sleep efficiency to drop to an unintentionally disruptive level.
The Argument Against Having Your Pet Sleep in Your Bed
Of course, bringing Fido into bed with you could have a few drawbacks. According to Fierstein, some of these include an increased risk of exposure to allergens or diseases through your dogs, aggressive behaviour, and poor sleep patterns.
According to some studies, sharing a bed with a pet may cause more people to wake up during the night. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals published a study in November 2018 that found dog owners were more than four times more likely to be awakened by a pet they shared a bed with when their pet was active (roughly 20% of the night) than if their pet was still. (It's important to note the study's important drawback that only five dogs and their owners were examined, and the possible advantages of co-sleeping were not taken into account.)
According to Fierstein, having a dog or cat in the bedroom may not be a good idea if the owner has trouble falling asleep. He makes the point, for instance, that a dog that snores loudly is not the best sleeping companion.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dogs may also exhibit aggressive behaviour, such as growling, snarling, or even biting, as a reflexive startle response if they are startled unexpectedly. This could be upsetting or dangerous for the person sleeping next to them.
According to the Sleep Foundation, allowing pets in the bedroom can expose owners to potential allergens such pet hair and dander as well as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause sickness.
How to Comfortably Sleep Next to Your Pet
Dr. Sinn recommends setting up a space for the animal to sleep away from a human bed if you're a novice pet owner or are simply thinking about acquiring a pet. She argues that having their own bed will benefit your pet and that it will serve as a "safety item," making it simpler to carry your dog or cat when you go to a new or strange location.
If you do decide to let your dog or cat sleep with you, there are some suggestions from professionals.
Set limitations. Make sure the dog is aware of the appropriate and inappropriate areas, suggests Fierstein. Only grant access when you invite [your pet] up, agrees Sinn. Restrict access during other times.
Keep the animal tidy. According to Fierstein, if a pet is not maintained clean, an owner may not be allergic to their dog or cat, but they may be allergic to other substances found in the animal's fur. By keeping your pet clean, you can reduce the possibility of tick, flea, ringworm, and mite exposure.
Prohibit becoming aggressive. When on the bed, some dogs develop problematic aggressive behaviour and become territorial, according to Fierstein. He commands, "Don't let any aggression in the sleeping area."
Create order. According to Fierstein, your pet should remain on top of the covers when lying on your bed to prevent dirt and other allergies like pet hair or dander from entering into the mattress. According to him, this regulation also stops the animal from feeling imprisoned. "A pet may awaken unexpectedly in the middle of the night and feel shocked or confined. A typically gentle pet could bite or scratch an owner at that precise moment.