Should I Share My Bed with My Pet?
Ah yes, our bedmates - those cute, cuddly loveable, fluffy friends. Our pets. The question at hand that is still debatable is this: is it a good sleep habit to share a bed with my furry friend?
Is it safe to sleep with a pet?
One of the biggest questions about sleeping with a pet is if it is safe or not. Let’s get one thing out of the way: It is absolutely 100% safe to sleep with your pet! Having them curl up at your feet or beside you is absolutely fine!
Why does my pet want to sleep with me?
It may seem easy to understand why we want to sleep with our pets. They’re often a part of our family, one of our friends and our companions. We as humans can clearly understand the appeal we feel to have our fuzzy friend near us when we settle down to rest. But it can be more confusing to understand the “why” behind our pet’s actions.
In fact, it’s really not that complicated. The same way you are bonded with your pet, your pet is bonded to you! And this is the case just as much with cats as it is with dogs (and any other animal!) You, their human, is a part of their family or pack. They want to spend as much time with you as possible. You are their safe space.
Plus, if they look at themselves as your protector, there is rarely any other time you’re as vulnerable as when you’re sleeping. So they want to stay by your side.
So, if your pet is insistent on following you to bed, it’s because they love you and feel safe around you (most likely like you do around them).
The pros and cons of sleeping with your pet
We have made three things clear so far.
it is 100% safe to sleep with your pet.
It is absolutely normal to want to snuggle with your pet while you sleep.
It is perfectly normal for your pet to want to snuggle with you, too.
All of that being said, however, there are both bigger pros and cons to sharing your bed with your pet.
The Pros
If you love to snuggle up with your dog or cat in bed at night, you aren’t alone. More than half of us openly welcome our pets into our beds every night. There are definitely some perks to snuggling your pet in bed that can’t be overlooked.
It makes you happier
Being able to physically touch another being can raise oxytocin levels, which helps you feel more content. Also, the comfort that comes from cuddling can help you feel less lonely, stressed, or depressed. It’s no wonder pets are used as a treatment for depression and anxiety.
It can help you fall asleep quicker
Anxiety, overthinking, stress and phone scrolling can all keep us up later than we should be. Bringing your pet into bed with you encourages you to snuggle down and get cozy. Having something you love so close can help you relax. Petting your dog gives you a way to unwind that doesn’t involve your phone. And once they’re cozy and snoring, it’s easy to let yourself fall asleep, too.
It won’t cause any bad behaviour
There was a belief that letting your dog (or any other animal) sleep with you can make them question you as their alpha, leading to bad behaviour. That belief has been debunked. It is now well known and supported by vets that having your pet sleep with you will not change their relationship with you for the worse. In fact, that extra quality time can help support and strengthen your bond.
The Cons
With all these pros, we still must talk about the cons — or challenges — to sleeping with your pet.
They can wake you up.
Barking or restless dogs can wake you up and disrupt your sleep. Any cat owner can speak to how much they love to lay on their owners heads at night. Both of these can lower your sleep quality.
Pet hair everywhere
Pets shed. If you are particular about pet hair in your bed, or on your face (since it’ll get on the blankets) then you may want to think twice about letting your pets sleep with you. Even if you aren’t allergic, pet dander can be an irritant when it’s in your face.
Beg hogs
It’s a well known experience with pet owners that cats and dogs and other pets sleep wherever they want. Too often, pet owners sleep in positions so they don’t disturb their pets. This can mean twisting funny or sleeping in an unnatural position. You don’t want to risk muscle strains or pains just for your pet.
Sleeping with your pet: It’s your choice!
In the end it’s your choice whether you’re comfortable with the idea or not – and that may depend largely on your specific pet’s behaviours and needs, your partner (human partners, that is), the size of your bed, and more. Just remember - you need a good sleep every night, so do what is best for you. Regardless, as long as dogs are a man’s best friend, this debate will likely continue with sound arguments on both sides.