It’s common enough to find our furry friends snuggling up with us at night. In fact, it’s a little bit weird if they don’t.
Pets are a part of the family, so it only makes sense that their nighttime and morning routine would reflect our own. Some pets are so regulated that they get confused when you spend a night outside of their routine.
Regardless, a dog curling up between you and your partner, or a cat sleeping in the crook of your knee, or around your head, is a wonderful thing. This small creature trusts you enough to not only sleep by you, but to sleep beside you, sharing in your comfort and warmth.
However, there is an argument to be made about the cleanliness of this sleeping arrangement. On the other side of the spectrum, folks believe that dirty paw prints or sharing the same air as your pet is less than desirable, even keeping them out of the bedroom when the sun sets.
So it’s time to settle this argument once and for all. Should pets be allowed on the bed?
Yay: Emotional and Physical Comfort
Sharing the bed with your four-legged housemate is a great way to form a bond between pet and owner. This not only keeps your animal feeling secure, but can also help folks who live alone or experience feelings of loneliness. Not to mention, an extra body in a bed can keep you feeling nice and cozy during the colder months.
Nay: Hygiene
Pets are huge carriers for dander, dust, pollen, dirt, and other types of bacteria, none of which you’re probably wanting on your bed. This is especially true for those with severe allergies or asthma, where symptoms can also affect your general sleep quality. Disease transmission is also a fear for young children, immunocompromised folks, and older folks; it’s not usually something to worry about.
Yay: Security
For our pets, sharing a sleeping space allows them to feel safe and secure, as sleeping near humans taps into the age-old pack instinct. Folks with larger dogs may also feel more secure, especially if they’ve recently survived an attack or break-in.
Nay: Sleep Quality
While the dream of having a furry friend quietly snoozing next to you is nice in theory, it’s incredibly different in practice. Our pets tend to have different sleep cycles, meaning they could constantly be shifting or moving, or even walking on your head while you’re trying to get some shut-eye. Large animals may also take up too much space on the bed or make the room too warm.
Yay: Reduced Anxiety
Sleeping next to our pets can actually lower our body’s cortisol levels, with some studies even suggesting pet ownership plays a role in lower blood pressure, heart rates, and cholesterol levels. Snuggling up to a pet at night can increase our oxytocin, which can help to fight anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Nay: Behavioral Concerns
Depending on the breed and age of the animal you have, allowing them to sleep on the bed without proper training can do more harm than good. Certain pets may become territorial over the bed or accidentally injure you if they are startled awake in the middle of the night. Not to mention, young and old pets alike may have bathroom issues, and nobody wants to wake up to that.
So, what do you think? Do you allow your pets to share a bed with you? Why or why not?
