The answer of most pet lovers would be a yes, while many of you may scrunch up your nose. But only a pet lover knows how difficult it is to look in your pet’s eyes and ask them to leave the bed when all they want to do is cuddle up with you. So, what to do? Firstly, smile because it is perfectly healthy to sleep with your pet. In fact, in the US, 45% of dog owners allow their dogs to sleep with them. As for cats, 62% of cats share their owner’s bed.
It is essential to understand both the risks and benefits of sleeping with your pet so that you stay healthy.
Benefits
The Emotional Bond
Sleeping with your human partner increases intimacy. So, does sleeping with your pet. They want to be near you and want to feel loved. It makes them happy and strengthens your emotional bond with your furry friend. They spend most of the part of their day alone. Sleeping with you makes them feel more connected, and being a part of the family.
Psychiatrists claim that dogs can treat children with autism. Doctors note that children who have difficulties communicating, spending time with a dog, stop focusing on experiences, and begin to establish contact with their peers. Taking care of a pet, they become more open and cheerful. In the treatment of cerebral palsy, there is a separate therapy with the use of dogs – canisterapy. Also, you may run into a problem with a dog’s barking at night when you sleep.
There are many reasons, and you do not need to ignore this and use some ways how to stop a dog from barking at night. Through this, these tips can change in your dog’s barking habits, and you can sleep at night better. In general, if the pet is healthy, and its presence does not disturb sleep, you can safely enjoy its company at night.
A Sense of Security
Most people keep a pet because they want to feel safe. Sleeping with your pet at night actually makes you feel safer, both emotionally and physically. It gives you a sense of security and is an excellent option if you live alone. If the pet is healthy, and its presence does not disturb sleep, you can safely enjoy its company at night.
It is worth noting the therapeutic effect. People who suffer from insomnia and internal fear can relax while sleeping with a pet. The fact is that a light snoring or snoring nearby has a calming effect on many people.
Warmth and Comfort
When people feel stressed, they want to be near their pets. These mute partners understand everything and help you a lot. For someone dealing with anxiety, stress, or depression, sleeping with a pet can ease the turmoil inside and help them have a stress-free night. The level of oxytocin increases in your brain by merely touching a pet. They give you a sense of relief, security, love, and loyalty. Their mere presence reduces stress.
Reduced Stress
When people feel stressed, they want to be near their pets. These mute partners understand everything and help you a lot. For someone dealing with anxiety, stress, or depression, sleeping with a pet can ease the turmoil inside and help them have a stress-free night. The level of oxytocin increases in your brain by merely touching a pet. They give you a sense of relief, security, love, and loyalty. Their mere presence reduces stress.
Scientists from the veterinary Institute of the University of California claim that dogs can increase their owners’ immune system. At night, the animal shares not only its energy but also its so-called resistant bodies. It was also found that among successful people, dog owners are most often found.
Risks
Every coin has two sides, and of course, sleeping with your pet has specific problems and risks. Have a look at them.
For those who share a bed with a pet, doctors recommend airing the room more often, conducting wet and dry cleaning, and changing bed linen weekly. Do not forget about the health of pets: regularly wash them, comb them, take antiparasitic measures, and wipe your paws after a walk.
Disturb Sleep
Even if you are not a light sleeper, even the slightest movements from your pet can disturb your sleep. They scratch, kick, grunt, and even dream, so they worry about your dreams. Also, you need to know in situations when your dog is acting like a puppy that it’s healthy, for example, for dogs to wake up several times a night. Getting them their own bed and keeping it close to yours will be good for both of you.
Increase Pet Allergies
If you are allergic to pets or suffering from asthma, keeping your pet in your bedroom is not even an option, let alone letting them sleep in your bed. Pet allergies do not get out of your room with your pet. They stay there on your bed, clothing, and bedding and may get you in trouble.
Increases Dominance
If your pet is aggressive and allows it to sleep in your bed, then increasing its territorial boundaries can increase its aggression and dominance. Make room for them on the couch, and let them sleep with you only if they follow the rules. Also, a large dog can take up most of the bed or jump out of it in the middle of the night and then go back under the covers. If the pet is small, the owner’s sleep is still restless – in fear of pinning the animal.
Disturbs Intimacy between Couples
Pets should not be allowed to sleep between couples. A physical connection is essential for couples, and pets can disrupt it. Never ever let your pet relax between you and your partner. It gives them a feeling that they can do whatever they want and even separate humans. For a healthy relationship with both and to improve your own mental health, you can allow pets to sit beside the bed or sleep on one side of a person.
Pets can sleep in your bed, but you need to define specific boundaries so that you enjoy a healthy relationship with your pet while not letting them have their way and dominance over you.
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