7 Ways Sharing Your Bed With Your Pet Improves Your Life
Andrea Powell
To share your bed, or not share your bed - that is the question.
Roughly half of pet owners share their bed, while the other half does not.
Multiple studies have been performed to try and discover if sleeping with our pets helps or hinders our sleep. While a few studies found pets disruptive to their owner's sleep, a majority of the studies discovered multiple benefits.
Cats and dogs help us live happier, healthier, and possibly longer lives thanks to their stress relieving abilities. They help diminish nightmares and ease our troubled minds. Not to mention, they are a living security blankets that are warm and comforting.
While there are a few things to consider, we think everyone should think about sharing their bed with their pet.
7 Benefits To Sharing Your Bed With Your Pet
Natural Stress Reliever
Dogs and cats are natural stress relievers and can help us get a better night's rest. Simply petting a dog or cat reduces blood pressure and increases oxytocin, which makes us feel warm and fuzzy.
Less Nightmares
Our pets help us relax which allows us to fall into a deeper sleep and wake up more refreshed. They also help reduce nightmares in people suffering from PTSD.
Free Massage
Yes, you read that correctly.
Cats love to knead, moving their little paws back and forth in a form of kitty "massage", when they feel happy and secure. Felines like to lounge in beds (the bigger the better) and some even adjust to their human's sleep schedule and join them in bed.
However, some cats are truly nocturnal and are more active at night. Unless you are a night owl yourself, it may be best to forgo sharing your bed.
Reliable Alarm Clock
There's no need to double check that you set your alarm because our cats and dogs know exactly when it is time to eat.
Thankfully, there are some pets that like to sleep in, but most will have you up as soon as the sun rises to eat.
Cats are especially relentless when it comes to feeding time. Just try sleeping in or ignoring your cat and see what happens.
Warmth
What is comforting, fluffy and warm? Your pet, of course. There's nothing better than snuggling up with your pet on a cold night.
Improves Sleep Quality
Sleeping alongside your pet results in a higher sleep efficiency score. A study performed on a group of middle-aged woman found sleeping with their dog resulted in a sleep efficiency score of 80%.
Safety
Dogs are protective over their home and people, so even the slightest noise will put them on guard. Rest easy knowing Fido has the house protected and will alert you to any unusual behavior.
One study found women sleep better with dogs than cats or their human partner.
Just like some people, dogs can hog the bed and the blankets. While it can be adorable at first, waking up with a paw in your face or without blankets night after night can be disruptive. The solution some people have found is to place a dog bed on the floor in the bedroom. That way the dog is still nearby but everyone has their own space.
Reasons You Should Not Allow Your Pet In Your Bed
- Light sleepers
- People who suffer from allergies
- Pets who are not house trained
- People or pets recovering from an injury
Conclusion
Dogs, and some cats, just want to be near and touching their humans at all times. Enjoy these moments and soak up the mental health benefits our beloved pets offer.
Read more articles below on how pets enhance our lives and what their sleeping positions says about their health.
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