{"id":28334,"date":"2019-08-25T07:00:03","date_gmt":"2019-08-25T11:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/restonic.com\/sin-categorizar\/sharing-bed-pets-73046"},"modified":"2022-06-16T14:57:53","modified_gmt":"2022-06-16T18:57:53","slug":"sharing-bed-pets-73046","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restonic.com\/es\/blog-es\/sharing-bed-pets-73046","title":{"rendered":"Is Sharing A Bed With Your Pets Putting A Paws On Good Sleep?"},"content":{"rendered":"

No matter what the data says, pet owners have a hard time stopping their furry friends from being bedmates<\/h2>\n

\"IsPet owners are a passionate bunch \u2013 there\u2019s not too much they won\u2019t do for their furry companions. They buy them birthday gifts, dress them up in costumes and take portraits of them with Santa. Many fur parents also allow their pets to sleep in the bed with them.<\/p>\n

A survey by the American Pet Products Association, nearly 50% of dog owners share their space with a canine. And it\u2019s clear size matters \u2013 62% of small dogs sleep with their masters, 41% of medium-sized dogs and 32% of large ones. For felines, 62% sleep with adult owners and 13% opt to curl up next to children.<\/p>\n

While many Americans see their pets as part of their families, there\u2019s a legitimate concern that dogs and cats are disruptive to sleep. About a third of pet owners said that their pets woke them up at least once per night. More than 60% of respondents in one study reported poor sleep quality when they share their bed with pets<\/a> for more than four nights a week.<\/p>\n

When you sleep with a pet, you\u2019re putting a paws on good sleep<\/h2>\n

Sleeping with a pet is concerning because of the long list of health repercussions<\/a> due to a lack of sleep, from higher rates of heart disease and depression to poor decision making and irritability. And there\u2019s also a risk of becoming ill because of our pets \u2013 fleas, parasites, bacteria or viral infections and roundworm, to name a few. But it\u2019s rare and uncommon for humans to catch something from their pets. Most healthy people may be able to manage with such exposure, but anyone with allergies or a compromised immune system should ban their animal companions from their beds.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of my sleep clients love snuggling with their pets but report that they are often woken up by their pets in the middle of the night,\u201d Elika Kormeili<\/a>, a California-based psychologist who specializes in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and depression. \u201cThese disruptions can be wandering around, snoring, barking, whimpering, or needing to be taken out to relieve themselves. This may be an underlying factor to a client\u2019s insomnia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part of the problem is that some animals are naturally nocturnal. They can be playful by day and still active at night. \u201cTheir sleep habits are different than ours, so for a better night’s sleep, keep your lovable pets out of your bedroom,\u201d suggests Kormeili. \u201cLikely your pet won’t like the change but you will be healthier, more rested and more productive in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tails of good sleep and more\"should<\/h2>\n

For some animal owners, a bit of lost sleep pales in comparison given the benefits of having a pet snoozing nearby.\u00a0 It\u2019s comforting, provides company and a sense of security for many people. The Center for Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona<\/a>, did their own research and found that 41% of pet parents said that their dog or cat was unobtrusive or beneficial to their sleep.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to cuddle up with your dog or cat no matter what experts might say about sleep disruption<\/a> or potential for illness, just make sure your pet is healthy. Take them for regular checkups to the vet, keep their vaccinations up to date, and pay attention to their dental health. You\u2019d also be wise not to allow sloppy, wet kisses with your animals and wash your hands vigorously with soap under running water after changing a cat\u2019s litter box or cleaning up after your dog does his business.<\/p>\n

Clearly, it\u2019s a personal choice. You may be willing to sacrifice sleep for companionship. Or you may value sleep above all else. But pet owners may want to consider a middle ground and allow animals to sleep in their own beds in your bedroom. A soft and cozy pet bed nearby will appeal to your dog or cat. Add some favorite toys to make it extra inviting.<\/p>\n

Does your pet want to sleep with you? The answer might surprise you\u2026<\/h2>\n

Pets snuggle up to their owners, not out of love. They crave your body warmth. Consider adding a heat source to their pet beds. You can buy ones that you plug in or you can put a heating pad under their blankets<\/a>. Just ensure it doesn\u2019t get too hot. A bit of warmth is enough to help them \u2013 and you \u2013 have a sweet night of slumber.<\/p>\n

Rest well & wake up ready to go!<\/h2>\n

Better sleep gives rise to better mornings, bringing your goals into focus and dreams within reach. Hungry for more sleep info? Dig into these posts:<\/p>\n