The debate as to whether your dog should sleep in bed with you is a heated one among the pet parent community. There is not a straightforward yes or no answer, rather, a complex set of pros and cons to this practice.
Continue reading to explore these factors in greater detail so that you can decide whether allowing your dog to share your bed is right for you.
There Are Benefits to Snoozing With Your Dog
In many cultures, dogs have slept alongside humans for centuries; the Aborigines of Australia slept next to their dogs to protect and ward off evil spirits. This bond can allow both dog and human to feel safe and secure, while it also helps to ease anxiety. In a survey by the American Kennel Club, 45% of owners said that they welcomed their dogs into bed.
One of the biggest advantages of allowing your dog to share your bed is that it provides a chance for the two of you to strengthen your existing bond. Don’t feel that you must let your dog sleep with you (there are plenty of other great methods for bonding). But sleeping together will help your dog to connect and build trust with you.
A study published in 2017 explored the development of co-sleeping habits over time and found that sleeping with a dog (or other animals) shares many of the same benefits and drawbacks as sharing a bed with a child. Both share common forms of establishment and maintenance, and both can provide an adequate form of co-sleeping.
The Drawbacks of Sleeping With Your Dog
Sleeping with your dog carries some health risks; if they have a zoonotic disease (such as internal parasites), it will be more likely passed on to you if you share a bed. In addition, anyone who suffers from dog allergies is likely to experience an increase in symptoms from their proximity.
Another issue that you may experience when sharing a bed with your canine is sleep disturbance. Humans and dogs experience different sleep cycles, so you could find that you impact the quality of each other’s sleep.
Dogs are polyphasic sleepers, which means that they experience, on average, three sleep/wake cycles for every hour of the night. In contrast, humans are monophasic sleepers, meaning they have one sleeping period during a 24-hour period. In addition, dogs are more likely to remain alert to sounds, making them lighter sleepers than their human companions.
A small-scale study found that women who slept alongside their dogs were likely to move around more in the night, suggesting that they did not sleep as well. But many owners share beds with their dogs and testify that the sense of comfort and companionship greatly outweighs any inconvenience.
There Are Minor Health Risks With Pet Co-sleeping
Aside from the hygiene risks to humans, there are a couple of reasons why allowing your dog to sleep in your bed could be problematic for them.
Firstly, if your dog suffers from arthritis, neck issues, or orthopaedic pain, jumping on and off your bed could be a problem.
Secondly, just as dogs can pass diseases on to humans, the reverse is also true. Both outcomes are relatively unlikely, but if one of you does become ill, it’s worth sleeping in separate beds until the symptoms pass.
When Can Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed?
In general, there are no significant dangers to allowing your dog to join you in bed. While some suggest this could cause behavioral issues, other professionals are keen to set the record straight.
When Steffi Trott, a professional dog trainer, spoke to Reader’s Digest, she said, “There is nothing inherently wrong with letting your dog sleep in the bed. It will neither have negative behavior consequences nor will it make your dog ‘revolt’ against you or try to become the leader of your pack.”
Dogs don’t have specified sleeping arrangements that correspond to social order; instead, every dog can sleep where they please. So, there is no reason why allowing your dog to sleep in bed with you should cause any behavioral issues.
When Shouldn’t You Sleep With Your Dog?
There are a few circumstances when you should not let your dog accompany you in bed. For example, puppies that are not yet litter-trained do not make ideal bed mates. In addition, it’s a good idea to train them to use a crate before allowing them to sleep in your bed.
Derrick Lengemann, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Lakewood Veterinary Hospital, says, “The puppy needs first to understand that the crate is a safe and happy place to reduce the risk of separation anxiety.”
In addition, remove your dog from your bed if they exhibit any of the following behaviors:
- Growling
- Snarling
- Biting
- Chewing or digging at the bed linen
You should consider allowing your dog back into your bed only once these behaviors cease. Meanwhile, provide them with a dog bed, crate, or comfortable floor space where they can feel safe and secure.
