Do you like to snuggle your beloved furry companion during bedtime and sleep with them? For most pet parents, spending cozy time with their furry friends is therapy, but there might be potential side effects as well. Co-sleeping with pets comes with several benefits and risks listed in the guide below. Keep reading to get answers to all your queries about bedtime with your dogs and cats.
Pet owners generally prefer sleeping with their pets around as it is a peaceful feeling, but sharing the same bed sounds tricky here. Several studies also indicate the emotional and physical benefits of having a pet sleep beside you.
Finding the middle ground between not letting your pooches apart during the night and maintaining sleeping comfort as per your preferences needs some more detailing.
Is it a Good Idea to Make My Pet Sleep Next to Me?
Well, the answer to this might be subjective, as co-sleeping with common pets like canines or felines is a matter of personal choice. There can be a few practical challenges as well, like the size of your bed, privacy concerns when you have a partner or allergies to pet hair. With numerous doubts around this, we can emphasize the benefits and challenges individually to help you make the right decision.
Statistics state that over 86% of Dog owners prefer sleeping next to their puppies. Also, around 56% of pet owners desire to sleep in the same bedroom with their pets nearby. These are just general reports, and the individual human experience can vary depending on numerous factors.
Pros of Sleeping with Pets
Here are the common reasons why pet parents do not keep their four-legged pooches and felines away during the night time:
- Security and Comfort
Many people like nurturing a canine as they bring a lot of emotional strength, safety, and a sense of protection around. In fact, service dogs inhibit instincts when their master gets a bad dream and help them calm down after post-traumatic stress disorder.
If you stay alone or are facing a weak emotional phase, the companionship of a furry buddy at night can make you feel very relaxed during sleep time. Pooches can make you feel safer as they are guardians by nature.
- Good Emotional Health
Pet owners also prefer sleeping next to their furry buddies as it helps reduce their loneliness and anxiety levels. Experts suggest that people dealing with emotional breakdowns or any type of mental health condition can recover faster if they accompany their pets while sleeping. Pooches are known for their unconditional love and how their existence attracts happy vibes around.
They also increase the oxytocin levels in adults, which is related to reduced stress levels. Pet interaction during bedtime, like snuggling, promotes a unique level of comfort and mental peace. Hence, pet owners sleeping with their furry buddies are less likely to depend on medications related to emotional health.
- Better Immunity Levels
When you have beloved cats or dogs at home, they release a specific type of bacteria that can affect the immunity levels of people there. Several studies indicate that exposure to these bacterial particles can benefit the overall health of humans and strengthen their immune systems as well.
In fact, the pet’s presence around kids while sleeping also boosts the immunity health of infants and children as well. Pet owners having multiple four-legged companions at home are also less likely to develop allergic reactions such as bluegrass, dust mites or ragweed.
- Overall Wellness
A furry companion can improve human health in numerous ways, like reducing blood pressure levels. Sharing a bed with pooches is also related to a better cardiovascular system and overall heart health. Now imagine the bundle of benefits pet parents can derive by cuddling their furry buddies during the night time.
However, pets can also be distractions when you are trying to fall into a deep sleep, as their sleeping cycles are shorter than those of humans. So, let’s skip over the risks related to them.
Cons of Sleeping with Pets
Now, let’s take a glance at the possible drawbacks of sleeping with pets by your side.
- Allergies
Pet lovers don’t mind having their furry companions at home despite being allergic to pets. However, they might prefer keeping pets out of their bedrooms due to potential health risks related to pet hair exposure or allergies to pet dander. If you think your pooches trigger persistent allergies, it is advisable to visit the vet for an allergy test and treatment.
- Exposure to Germs
Canines or feline friends also carry along the germs to home, which can have negative effect on both humans and pets. While certain microbes of pets boost human immunity levels, they also carry certain types of parasites, viruses or bacteria that might put you at risk. Thus, pet owners who have a potential risk of infections might prefer not to sleep around pets.
- Bed Space Constraints
Practical issues also add up to the reason why it’s advisable to arrange a separate bed for your doggy in the same room. Canines that are of bigger breeds need larger spaces to stretch and sleep.
Sharing the same bed might cause sleeping disturbances as you’ll be more cautious throughout the night to avoid hurting them accidentally. It may affect the sleep quality as well. So, it’s better to dedicate a separate place for your four-legged companion to get a sound sleep.
- Territorial Instincts
Animals are animals, after all! You never know how they can spontaneously react in certain circumstances. Imagine your pet is in a deep sleep and abruptly wakes up, causing injuries or bites. This can lead to infections and may need immediate medical treatment.
Children are at higher risk since they have a tender build and might fall prey to your pets’ aggression. It is highly advisable to keep kids a bit away from larger-size dogs
Tips to Remember for Sleeping with Pets
If you wish to sleep with your pet despite the above concerns, here are tips to ensure sound sleeping patterns for both you and your furry companion.
- Big Size Mattresses: It is possible to ensure sufficient sleeping space for your pooches and yourself by choosing a suitable size of mattress. Pick the size that can accommodate you both and if there’s someone else sharing the bed.
- Regular Washing of Sheets and Bedding: Proper hygiene and cleanliness can keep unwanted germs away from your blankets and bedding. If you take your furry companions for night walks, make sure to wipe their paws with a clean cloth to prevent dirt, allergens, and pests from entering your room.
- Timely Vet Visits: Monitoring your pets’ health regularly can keep them free from diseases and offer complete protection. Track your pets’ vaccination schedules and give them timely tick treatments as recommended by the vet. It is in favour of you both!
- Physical Stimulation Before Bedtime: Canine friends have high energy levels and taking them for a long walk before sleeping can help in burning off excess energy levels. It can ensure a sound sleep for them, and there will be fewer sleep disruptions during the night.
- Consistent Bedtime Routine: Even animals get trained when you repetitively make them follow a certain routine. If you set a certain bedtime and waking up hours for your furry buddy, they’ll get habituated to the specific sleep-wake cycle resulting in lesser spans of restlessness.
Final Advice: ‘Create a Balance and Understand Your Preferences!’
We have broadly studied how sleeping with your four-legged doggy or kitty can benefit pet owners and what are the possible consequences. It is eventually upto you how you identify the right sleeping habits suitable for you and your pets.
Well-behaved and trained furry friends won’t be a problem as sleeping companions on the same bed, as they are less likely to toss and disrupt your sound sleep. If there’s a fussy or cranky pet at home, you have to give it a second thought.
Pet owners who want to have their sleeping comfort but do not wish to keep their beloved pets out of their bedrooms can arrange a separate bed in the same room. It can be a good alternative, and you’ll wake up fresh in the morning. Take your and your pets’ health and habits into consideration before making the final decision. Feel free to reach out to us for any further information on this topic.
Hope you have a Paw-Some Day!
