Should You Be Sharing Your Bed with Your Pets?

Pet owners tend to have pretty strong feelings about sleeping with their animals. Either they are all for sharing their beds with their four-legged companions or they are adamant about setting boundaries. Many who fall into the latter camp cite health risk as reasons against co-sleeping, under the impression that sharing a bed with cats or dogs increases the risk of disease. On the contrary, modern studies show that not only is health generally not an issue but that sharing a bed with pets can actually improve sleep. Surely, the roughly 50% of pet owners who snuggle up to their pets at night can vouch for that. Of course, there is no all-encapsulating rule about cats or dogs sleeping in bed with their owners. It has its benefits as well as its downsides, and ultimately, whether or not you should be sharing a bed with your pet depends on you, your pet, your health, and your lifestyle. Keep reading for more on the pros and cons and other helpful tips for sharing a bed with your furry pal.

The Benefits of Cats and Dogs Sleeping in Bed With You

Recent studies have shown the various benefits of cats and dogs sleeping in bed with their owners, including psychological and health benefits, like those listed below.

Psychologically Soothing

Anxiety and mental unrest are some of the leading causes of sleep deprivation, which can take a serious toll on your overall health. For those who have trouble getting to sleep and/or staying asleep, sharing a bed with your pet may just be the solution. Cats and dogs bring comfort and security to their humans and have even been known to calm symptoms of PTSD.

Improves Sleep

There is no doubting the strength of the bond between humans and their pets, especially dogs. In fact, researchers have found that we are so close to dogs that spending time with them releases oxytocin to the brain in the same chemical reaction that occurs when parents look at their babies. This oxytocin release also occurs when we sleep with a dog in bed. As it turns out, that’s a good thing for sleepers, as increased levels of oxytocin are linked to REM (deep) sleep.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Another global health benefit of dogs sleeping in bed with their owners is that it lowers blood pressure. This consequently lowers the risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and more. This particular side effect is associated with owning pets in general, but it's most linked to dogs.

Keeps You Warm On Cold Nights

Overall, people sleep better in cooler temperatures, but when your bedroom is too cold, your sleep suffers. If you live in a drafty home or an area with a cold climate, sleeping with your dog or cat in bed may provide the added warmth you need to sleep comfortably. That’s because cats and dogs have a slightly higher body temperature—around 102.5°F, making them better than any hot water bottle or a furry replacement for an electric blanket. That said, being too warm at night can ruin your quality of sleep. So, if you decide to share a bed with one or more pets or with a partner, make sure you have a highly breathable mattress, such as the Nectar mattress, which wicks away heat and keeps you cool throughout the night.

Helps Socialize Animals

Humans aren’t the only ones that stand to benefit from sleeping with their dog or cat in bed. Animals also experience certain benefits, especially when it comes to socialization. Co-sleeping fortifies that bond between pet and owner and helps animals build trust in humans.

The Downsides of Sharing A Bed With Your Pets

Although having cats and dogs sleeping in your bed isn’t quite as dangerous as some might think, it does pose certain risks. Here are some of the negative points about sleeping with pets to consider before letting your pet under the covers.

Pets Bring Germs And Bacteria to Bed

For all the cuddles and kisses we give our pets, you’d think we had forgotten that they are animals and therefore, carry plenty of germs, dirt, and bacteria. Keep that in mind when they hop into bed with you. As long as you and your pet are healthy, these germs don’t pose a serious risk to your health, but in very rare cases, they have led, for example, to meningitis, Chagas disease, MRSA, and staph infections.

Allergens Can Get Stuck In Bed

Anyone sensitive to allergens or with a sensitive immune system might want to reconsider their cats or dogs sleeping in bed with them. Their coats tend to be laden with allergens like pet dander, pollen, and dust. These small, but pesky, particles can make their way into the fibers of your mattress, leading to long-term health problems and necessary mattress cleaning every month.

They Make Fussy Bed Fellows

Sleeping with a cat or dog is like sleeping with any partner, which is to say they might steal the covers, snore, or toss and turn in their sleep. This is bad news for any light sleeper who might miss out on all the benefits of sleeping with pets because their pets are constantly waking them up.

Tips For Healthy Co-Sleeping

• Wash your sheets more often to eliminate dirt, germs, and allergens
• Commit to thorough mattress cleaning by getting a mattress with a machine-washable cover, such as the Leesa, to keep your mattress free of particles
• Only share a bed if you and your pet are in good health
• If sleeping with a small dog, consider getting pet stairs for your bed, as getting on and off the bed is risky and potentially harmful to your dog

Conclusion

Regardless of the benefits and risks of having your cats or dogs sleeping in bed with you, what matters most is your comfort and well-being. It may be hard to say no to your begging pup or kitty when they try to hop into bed, but if doing so will cause your sleep, and thus, your health, to suffer, you shouldn’t do it. If you wake easily from disturbance, suffer from allergies, or have a weak immune system, sharing a bed with your cat or dog might not be a great idea. But that doesn’t mean you have to crate them or keep them in another room. Keep them close by putting their bed next to yours and giving them an item of clothing or blanket with your scent. You may find that you still feel many of the benefits of sharing the bed with your pets!