Humans have been sharing their sleeping spaces with their pets for a very long time, even before we had proper beds. Beds as we know them today have been around for about 4,000 years, while people started living with dogs more than 20,000 years ago. Dogs back then helped protect us from predators and kept us warm like a hot water bottle.
Today, we don’t have many wild wolves to worry about, and we have comfy duvets and heated blankets to stay warm. So, the question is, is it okay to let dogs or cats sleep in our beds with us?
Well, it’s probably not a big problem. According to Alicia Johnson, a dog training expert, there might be a tiny risk of disease or fleas, but if you’re already living with a pet, having it in your bed won’t make those risks much higher. However, if you’re a light sleeper, it could be a bit disruptive because dogs have different sleep patterns and might wake up suddenly.
But how much of a problem is this sleep disruption? Surprisingly, there isn’t enough research to say for sure, and different studies have shown mixed results. Some studies suggest that having a dog in the room doesn’t affect sleep much, but having them on the bed can make your sleep less efficient.
In one study conducted in Australia, they found that people who owned dogs and cats were usually less likely to need sleeping pills compared to those who didn’t have pets. However, this study didn’t specifically ask about whether these pet owners were sharing their beds with their furry friends, so it’s not entirely clear how pet co-sleeping relates to these results.
In a more recent study, researchers used fancy devices called accelerometers to see how well people and their dogs slept when they shared a bed. They discovered that having a dog in the same room as you didn’t really affect your sleep much. But if the dog was actually on the bed with you, it made your sleep a bit less efficient. So, it seems like having your dog on the bed might not give you the best night’s sleep.
In some surveys, pet owners said their pets were disruptive, while others found them comforting. So, it’s a bit inconclusive. But if you’re not noticing big sleep problems, then you’re probably fine.
But what about the dogs? It can be confusing for them if you change the sleeping arrangements. According to Johnson, if you start letting your dog sleep on the bed, you should stick with it or teach them when it’s allowed, like with a special blanket. This is especially important if your partner doesn’t want the dog in bed – you’ll need to gently train your dog to understand the new rules.
As your dog gets older, they might find it harder to get on and off the bed, so it’s a good idea to give them their own comfy spot to sleep.
Remember, it’s never safe to leave dogs or cats alone with children in the same sleeping space. An adult should always be there to watch over them.
As for cats, there haven’t been as many studies on them because fewer people sleep with their cats. But many of the same rules seem to apply. Cats, like dogs, can help reduce stress. But when it comes to reptiles, it’s a definite no – they shouldn’t sleep with us.
