You love your pets and consider them a member of your family, but there isn’t always consensus on where they should sleep. Is sleeping with your pets ok or will it affect your sleep quality?
For many, the decision on whether your dog or cat belongs on your bed, or even in your bedroom, comes down to avoiding sleep disruptions as well as keeping your bed linens free of hair. However, according to a research study: People with dogs in their rooms, but not in their beds, had an 83-percent sleep efficiency level, and people with dogs in their beds had an average sleep efficiency rate of 80 percent. (80 percent is considered satisfactory sleep efficiency.)
Moreover, research published by the Mayo Clinic found that sharing your bedroom with your canine companion—as long as he or she isn’t under the covers—may actually improve your sleep (the study didn’t include felines). Sleep specialist Lois Crohn concurs: “Today, many pet owners are away from their pets for much of the day, so they want to maximize their time with them when they are home.”
And while there has been some question on whether there are any health risks from sleeping with your pets, research says as long as you keep your pet in good health, which mean no fleas or ticks, illnesses and have their shots up-to-date, there’s a very low risk of contracting any disease. However, those who are considered immunosuppressed, such as cancer patients, transplant recipients and H.I.V.-positive people, are considered a bigger risk and should probably not sleep with pets.
Ultimately if you don’t have health issues and aren’t a light sleeper it seems that having your dog or cat in bed isn’t a problem. As Veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne says: “Sleeping with a pet has its benefits. A dog’s body temperature is higher than ours, so particularly on a cold night, it’s nice to snuggle with a dog. And dogs help us relax and allow some people with insomnia to sleep without [medications].”
If you’re looking for ways to get better sleep, try our app, Rain Rain Sleep Sounds, to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.