Written by Nectarsleep editorial team
Last Updated on Jul 08, 2022
The adorable puppy eyes never make you want to say no to them! But, should dogs sleep in your bed? This is a heated topic where the pet-loving community gives you an affirmative yes while the others bring up substantial points that point towards a no.
According to SpotOn Virtual Fence, at least 50% of dog owners share the bed with their furry friends. Now, while snuggling in with your pooch feels super cozy, is it a safe practice that you must continue? We bring you all the details right here. Read ahead!
Let’s take a step back. If you are sleeping with your dog, you must ensure they are potty-trained. This is because they can relieve themselves on the bed or the floor, which is not hygienic for you or your pet. Therefore, you must first train them before they hop in to cuddle with you. Let’s dig a little deeper.
These are some reasons you must not let your dog sleep in your bed. They include;
Dog sleeping with you all cuddled makes you feel good, doesn’t it? Below-mentioned circumstances are when your dog can sleep with you.
Now it’s time to take a look at all the benefits of sleeping with your dog. Read on.
According to a recent study, it was seen that interacting with dogs positively impacted depressive symptoms in humans. So, when you sleep with your dog, it can help you relax and also enhances the flow of oxytocin. It is the love chemical that makes you feel good. So, to sum it up, your four-pawed friend is your walking barking antidepressant.
Not able to fall asleep? Cuddle your dog! Studies show that sleeping with your dog can help you with insomnia by navigating through anxiety and helping you relax. When you sleep with your dog, it puts you in a better mood and controls hyperarousal and hypervigilance, which can help put you to sleep.
Petting or touching your dog can lower your blood pressure and help you combat stress. So, sleeping with your dog can be very beneficial for you.
Did you know? Cardiovascular disease is one of the deadly conditions in the US. But, American Heart Association has found a connection between pets and a healthy heart. Your dogs reduce systemic hypertension and keep you more active. But, mainly it’s the calming effect that it produced. So, sleeping with your dog can be beneficial for you.
Now we know that dogs can induce allergies in some people. But, according to a study, it was seen that infants who slept with dogs regularly were less likely to develop allergies in their adulthood.
Here are a few downsides of sleeping with your dog. Take a look.
One of the reasons why you must avoid sleeping with your dog is because they can trigger allergies. Sometimes, even when you are allergic, you may not know you are allergic until you are near them. And, even if you are not allergic to dog dander, there are chances they accumulate allergens in their coat, which can lead to severe allergies.
Did you know? A small study showed that women who sleep with their dogs showed an elevation in human movement when asleep. Basically, there are chances that your pups may make you restless when you sleep with them, which can lead to poor quality sleep.
When some dogs are disturbed or startled while asleep, they may snap at you. And the snapping can lead to bouts of injuries, which is not very healthy for you. So, being cautious when asleep is not a possible task, and falling asleep with the fear of a bite may cause disturbed sleep.
While it's very rare, dogs can be carriers of diseases. There are a plethora of diseases that can spread from dogs to humans. Therefore, if you are someone with a weak immune system or prone to sickness, it is necessary that you avoid co-sleeping with your dog. This is especially a must if your dog is showing signs of illness. We understand, as a pet parent, it might seem very harsh. However, you can always invest in a good pet bed to ensure your little one sleeps cozily and comfortably.
You may not notice anything different about your dog. But, there are chances that your dog may be a carrier of parasites. While it's very unfortunate that your furry friends are prone to it, even a well-cared dog can pick them up. These parasites include ticks, fleas, and also mites. Mostly these parasites hamper your dog’s health but they may also affect yours. In fact, dogs can also be a cause of intestinal parasites, such as ringworms. So, if all of a sudden you find yourself infected, think again, your innocent-looking pet might be the reason. So, a dog sleeping in bed with you may not be the best thing.
These were some of the reasons why your dog shouldn’t sleep with you. But, don’t be disheartened. Let’s take a look at all the reasons when it is okay to let your dog sleep in your bed.
Before you let your dog sleep on the bed, it is essential to ensure that your dog can safely get in and out of bed without injuring you or himself. For example, pups shouldn’t be allowed on the bed as there are chances that they will fall off. And senior dogs may find getting in and out of bed difficult.
Also, when you sleep with your dog, you and the furry cuddle bug need space to ensure you sleep comfortably without injuring each other. Maybe your dog is a humble creature who won’t hurt a fly, but you may hurt your dog by putting your hands or legs over him while asleep. But, when there is ample space, you can avoid these things. So to sleep with your dog, make sure you have the right size of mattress.
Make sure your dog is calm and cool so you can enjoy a deep slumber. If your dog is aggressive, sudden movements can startle your dog, and he may also bite you in sleep. If that’s the case, a dog bed may be an ideal choice.
A smaller breed may find climbing the bed difficult and fall while trying to get down. Or, if you have a larger breed, he may take up most of the space.
Cleanliness is always crucial. The cleaner your dog is, the safer it is to sleep with him. Now, we understand that, unlike you, your dog cannot bathe every day. But, there are ways to keep the dog clean to ensure it isn’t a carrier of any dirt or diseases. Some of the things you can do include;
Before you welcome your dog to the bed, make sure your dog is fully potty trained so there are no accidents when you are asleep. While dog urine on its own is unhygienic and can make it a difficult chore for you to clean it. But dog urine can also sometimes contain leptospira, a bacteria in the urine when your pet is infected. This can be transmitted to humans too.
If you want to sleep with your dog, here are a few safety tips you can follow.
Dogs are great. They aid your health and always put you in a great mood. If you are a dog owner and want to sleep with your pet, use the tips mentioned above to ensure you remain healthy and enjoy a deep slumber.
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You can either sleep with your dog or bring home a separate \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nectarsleep.com\/dog-bed\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003Edog bed \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003Efor them. 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