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As a rescue fur mom and animal lover, I am often faced with the question, do you let your dog/cat sleep in the bed with you? My answer is immediately, “OF COURSE!” Turns out, I’m not the only one. According to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association, 56% of dog’s sleep in their owner's beds. Size certainly plays a factor as the survey determined that 62% of small dogs, 41% of medium-sized dogs, and 32% of large dogs are sleeping with their human(s). The study also found that 62% of cats sleep with their adult owners, whereas another 13% of cats sleep with children.
Let’s face it, we all love our pets and usually want to be as close as we possibly can to them during all hours of the day and night. The choice is yours, however there are actually some pros and cons when it comes to allowing our dogs and cats to sleep in our beds:
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Pros |
Cons |
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· Sleeping with your pet can help improve your health, both emotionally and physically |
· It may not be entirely sanitary as pets can be dirty or carry disease, fleas, or ticks |
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· Provides a sense of security, allowing you to sleep more soundly |
· Your sleep could potentially be disturbed by your furry friend |
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· Helps to reduce stress, which is especially helpful for those who suffer from insomnia, depression, or anxiety |
· It shows submission and may create an issue of dominance with the pet and their human |
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· Allows for an emotional bond between pet and owner |
· Pet dander or fur can greatly affect allergy and asthma sufferers |
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· Offers additional warmth and comfort |
· You could get scratched or bit |
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· Produces a calming effect and increases a feeling of contentment |
· You’re more at risk for infection and diseases |
So, should we sleep with our pets? It really depends on the dog/cat and the person. If your pet is healthy and you have a good relationship based on mutual trust and respect, chances are cuddling with your furry friend will work out just fine. The way I see it, our pets are family so why not let them enjoy the same level of comfort that we get to experience? Sure, my dog is a complete bed hog (keep in mind, he’s 100 pounds) and my cat likes to sleep on my pillow right next to my head, but I wouldn’t change anything. They are my best friends and my bed is a better place with them in it!
We recently polled our followers on Instagram to find out what they thought and 71% reported that they allow their pets to sleep with them. We’d love to hear from you! Do you allow your pets to share the bed with you at night? Why or why not? Comment below!
*Pictured above are my own pets, Tyler (dog) and Zoey (cat). This is what a typical night looks like in my bed.
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Lisa Roth
September 08, 2019
Absolutely I let our girls, our canine fur babies, sleep with us! Sandy, a long haired Chihuahua terrier mix, sleeps on top of the covers in the middle between my husband and me. Sophie, a short haired Chihuahua terrier mix, sleeps in the bed between our shoulders. When we had the cat (before she died), she would sleep at the foot of the bed. Each of them is (even the cat, lol) approximately 12 pounds. Our bed is queen-sized, so needless to say it’s really crowded! but we sleep great. ;)