Often considered part of the family, the chemistry between dogs and people is undeniable. That’s why 56 percent of trusted sources of dog owners report sleeping next to their dogs.
Cuddling up with your four-legged pal feels good, but it’s not without problems, including sleep interruptions.
Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of sleeping with your dog, plus tips for getting a peaceful night’s sleep together.
Potential benefits of sleeping with your dog
Pets benefit their people in many ways. Whether sleeping with your dog or cat enhances those benefits is up for debate and may depend on your personal circumstances.
May not decrease sleep quality
Having a dog in bed can affect your sleep. Of course, there are other contributing factors, such as the number of people and pets, pet size, and bed size. It all has to sync up.
A small study of adults found that people sleep just fine with a dog in the bedroom but less so when the dog is actually in the bed. A good solution may be to keep a dog bed beside your own.
Other research found that when compared with cats and other people, dogs in bed were perceived to be less disruptive to sleep.
If you wake up refreshed and aren’t fatigued during the day, your dog is probably a good sleeping buddy.
Provides comfort and security
A 2018 survey of adult women showed that a dog in bed is associated with comfort and security more so than sleeping with another person or a cat. It’s a feel-good thing, particularly if you’re lonely or separated from your dog most of the day.
Boosts mental health
Pets help relieve stress and anxiety. They foster social and emotional connections, which can affect mood and overall mental health.
A 2012 study by Trusted Source showed that human-animal interactions may benefit stress-related factors, such as:
- cortisol
- heart rate
- blood pressure
There’s limited evidence from trusted sources showing they may help:
- reduce stress-related factors such as epinephrine and norepinephrine
- lower aggression
- enhance empathy
- improve trustworthiness and trust in others
A 2016 study suggests that for people with long-term mental health problems, pets should be considered a main source of support.
Sleeping next to your furry friend may help reinforce those benefits.
Potential side effects and risks of sleeping with pets
While dogs can make good sleep companions, there are other factors to consider.
May decrease sleep quality
Dogs are always on alert, so they’re light sleepers.
One 2020 study by Trusted Source shows that having a dog in bed increases human movement. This can potentially disturb sleep, but those people rarely remember waking up due to dog movement. This research was conducted on a very small sample of women and may not apply to a wider population.
A dog that snores, slobbers, or overheats the bed is probably not an ideal sleep mate. You may wake up still tired or longing for a daytime nap.
Cats are nocturnal, so they can be challenging nighttime sleep partners. They may want to play or even purposely wake you up.
May aggravate allergies
Pets can carry allergens like dust and pollen into your bed. This can aggravate severe allergies and asthma.
May spread disease
Bacteria, parasites, and fungi can all spread from dogs and cats to humans. Germs can spread through:
- touching feces
- licking the face or an open wound
- scratches
- bites
In the United States, the risk of disease from sleeping with your pet is low, with most risk coming from:
- fleas and ticks
- ringworm
- skin infections due to mites
May cause injury
A dominant or aggressive dog in the bedroom is a significant risk for dog bites, especially for children.
AMANI Nesta