Sleeping with your cat or dog has long been a debated subject. Some say that sleeping with your pet is unsafe for you and your animals, but new research suggests sleeping with your pet is not something to avoid. Often, you and your household pet depend on each other for a good nights’ sleep and it turns out there are even some benefits to sleeping with your pet.
What are the Paws-itives?
In 2015, the Mayo Clinic did a study of 40 healthy dogs and dog owners. The study concluded that sleeping with your pets does not negatively affect sleep for you or your animal much at all. Results of testing were that the canine participants had the same quality of sleep on and off their owner’s beds, while the human test subjects only slept slightly worse on average.
Including a pet in your sleep life can help create routine and aids in the quality of your nightly shuteye. Not surprisingly, the folks at pet camera maker Furbo say snoozing with your four-legged friend is not only safe but good for you. Their presence provides comfort and safety, reducing sleep anxiety and making sleep come easier. Based on their feeding schedule, animals can also be a natural alarm clock in the morning.
What About Health Concerns?
If you and your four-legged friend are both maintaining a healthy lifestyle, sleeping together should not be something to avoid. There are only a few instances where precautions should be taken. While infection from a pet is rare, PetMD says that immunosuppressant people are more at risk and should not be sleeping with pets. People with cancer, transplants, or HIV are among those who should sleep separate from their furry friends. Additionally, people with allergies to pet dander should not even let their animals in their bedroom to allow for better breathing during sleep.
Personality or Preference?
Sleeping with a pet has much more to do with personality and personal preference than pros or cons. A lot of the things you enjoy about your pet in the daytime are the same things that make them good companions at night: a cuddly cat or an alert watch dog. Additionally, your animal has preferences too. WebMD brings your pets’ desires into consideration: dogs only sleep with people they trust while cats are territorial and need consistency in their sleeping arenas.
At the end of the day, you and your pet know what you need out of your nighttime routine. People often sleep even better with their furry friend beside them at night and your pet will let you know if they feel the same way.
