Many dog owners allow their dogs to sleep in bed with them. While there are some benefits to this, there are also some potential downsides.
Dogs have been known to sleep in their human bed for centuries. But is it a good idea? There are pros and cons to having your dog sleep in your bed. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Let’s discuss pros and cons of dog sleeping in your bed!
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Pro – Positively Impacts Your Emotional Well Being
No doubt sleeping with your dog can positively impact your emotional well-being. If you’re feeling down, having your pup close to you can help ease feelings of depression and loneliness.
And if you’re feeling happy and relaxed, your dog’s presence can further improve the mood and make it even better for you.
Pro – Promote a Healthy Heart
If you have a dog that sleeps in bed with you, it’s likely your dog will cuddle up to you close enough so that your heart is beating simultaneously.
It can help promote a healthy heart and lower blood pressure.
Pro – Increase Sleep Efficiency of Your Pet
One of the biggest benefits of letting your dog sleep with you at night is that it can help increase their sleep efficiency.
It means they will fall asleep faster, stay sleeping for longer periods, and wake up less often throughout the night.
Pro – Promote Bonding With the Dog
When your dog is allowed to sleep in bed with you, they are likely to become more attached to you.
This can help promote bonding and increase the responsiveness between you.
Pro – Boosts Mood and Improves Quality of Life
Research has shown that sleeping with a dog can significantly impact human mood and well-being.
It is because companionship, warmth, and cuddling with your pup can positively affect your mood.
Cons – Health and Safety Risks Associated With Bed Sharing
One of the most significant potential drawbacks to allowing dogs to sleep in your bed with you poses a significant health and safety risk.
Dogs can be unpredictable, especially when squeezed into a small space like a bed, which has proven harmful for some dog owners.
Some negative effects associated with allowing dogs to sleep on or with you in the bed include:
- Bacterial and Fungal Infections
- Parasites
- Skin Diseases
- Allergic Reactions
- Dander and allergies
Cons – Loss of Quality of Sleep
When you allow your dog to sleep in bed with you, it can decrease the quality of sleep for both you and your pet. If the dog is allowed on the bed they may not be able to get comfortable or fall asleep at all.
And if they do manage to drift off, they will often move around during the night, resulting in disturbances and the loss of sleep.
Cons – Family Strife and Jealousy
When you allow your dog to sleep in your bed, it can lead to family strife when other members of the household cannot join in.
This can cause family members to become jealous and frustrated with each other.
Cons – Sleep Pattern Interruption
Sleeping with your dog in the bed can also cause sleep pattern interruption since they will often move around during their sleep.
This can result in disturbances that make it difficult for you to go back to sleep again after being woken up.
Cons – Bed Hogging and Vicious Dog Attacks
Dogs can also sometimes sleep so that they hog the bed while pushing humans off their side which can cause injury to them.
There are also cases of vicious attacks by dogs sleeping in owners’ beds at night. Again, this risk is highest when the dog is not properly trained or socialized.
Cons – Relationship consequences sleeping Together
According to several studies, if your dog sleeps in the bed with you, it can also result in some sexual consequences.
A common phenomenon is that women who prefer sleeping with their dogs will often find themselves becoming attracted to them once they start cohabitating. It can lead to unrequited love and affect how you see your dog.
Cons – Fleas, parasites, and other diseases
Additionally, allowing your dog to sleep on or with you can also result in parasitic infestations passed between you.
Sleeping together can also increase the chance of developing allergies and other fitful outcomes.
Con – They Might Take Over Your Bed
One of the biggest problems with allowing dogs to sleep in your bed is that they might take over everything. When you put one or more dogs in your bed, it can lead to them hogging the entire area and taking up all of the space.
This will leave little room for you, which is not at all comfortable.
Can Dogs Disturb Your Sleep?
Yes, dogs can disturb your sleep even if they are not in bed. Allowing your dog to sleep on the bed will only increase the disturbances by allowing them to become more comfortable in this space.
It can result in various consequences, including sleep apnea, sleep-related movement disorders, seizures, and even cardiac arrest.
The Effects of Dog Parenting on Your Sleep
Being a dog parent has its benefits, but unfortunately, it can often lead to an overall decrease in your sleep quality. This is because you have to wake up several times a night or in the morning to tend to them, which can cause fatigue and tiredness during the day.
If your dog sleeps with you, this can even more detrimental effect on your sleep patterns and overall health.
Is Having a Dog in Bed Unsanitary?
Sleeping with a dog is not as unsanitary as some people may think. In fact, according to research, it can aid in restoring your immune system and decrease the amount of illness that occurs and the severity.
However, there are certain health risks associated with sleeping together, such as parasitic diseases and skin irritation from allergies mentioned earlier.
If You and Your Partner Disagree, Who Decides the Dog Sleeping Arrangement?
If you and your partner have conflicting opinions on whether or not dogs should sleep in bed with you, it is best to ask yourself several questions before deciding.
These include asking if your dog will prevent you from being able to sleep, how much space they will be taking up, if there is any damage to the bed and if there is a chance for injury.
If you cannot agree, perhaps it’s best to avoid sleeping together.
To educate dog owners we recently added a few new resources like why do dogs sleep with their bum facing you and our experts also write on why does my dog sleep so close to me that will help you to better understand the sleeping habits of your furry friend.
The Final Verdict on Dogs in Beds
Having a dog sleep in your bed can be beneficial, but it is recommended to avoid this practice.
The risk of them disturbing your sleep patterns and negatively impacting your relationship is just too great.
Additionally, several health risks are associated with dogs sleeping together, so it’s best to keep them off the beds.