Should You Allow Your Dog to Sleep in Your Bed?

Have you ever looked forward to getting in bed only to find your furry friend hugging the blanket before you even get in? Snuggling up along with your four-legged buddy feels good but is it safe? 

Many pet owners wonder if sleeping with their dogs is safe and healthy. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of dog-human co-sleeping before we conclude. 

Why Should You Allow Dogs in Bed?

a dog yawning while laying on top of a woman at home

Do you ever wonder why dogs prefer sleeping with their guardians rather than having their personal space? The reason is their emotional attachment to owners. Dogs as pets are amongst the best companions of humans. For this reason, you might have noticed these animals following their guardians at all times. Here are some reasons to let your dog express itself and sleep in your bed:

1. Security Sense for Both Dogs and Humans

If your dog wants to sleep with you in bed, it might be because it feels safe around you and looks up to you as a mentor. Hence, sleeping with them may help them. They also feel the need to protect you from any potential harm. It’s the dogs’ way of expressing his love. Their protective nature can also help you feel better.

A study by Christy Hoffman reveals that women felt safer when they slept with their pets at night. Having your furry friend for a cuddly sleep helps you feel safe, increasing your overall sleep quality. However, if your pet is hypersensitive, it may hinder your and their sleep. 

2. It Eases Stress and Depression

Sleeping with your dog lowers levels of cortisol and increases levels of oxytocin hormone. For many, sleeping with their pets helps ease stress and depression. Many dog owners claim that sleeping with their pets has improved their mental health as they felt safe and loved around them.  

One particular study revealed that interaction with dogs helps counter depression. If a simple activity can do this, the wonders of sleeping with them are countless. 

 3. Frankly, the Soft and Comfortable Coat!

Dogs have fur that enables their body to release heat which increases the surrounding temperature making it warmer and cozier. Due to this, co-sleeping with a dog feels good and comfortable, especially in areas with a low climate. The cherry on top? You also do not have to sleep alone. It helps quell anxiety as well for people staying alone.

4. Aids in Blood Pressure Control

Sleeping with your dog can help with hypertension. One effect of human-dog interaction is the lowering of blood pressure readings

5. Helps Improve Insomnia.

If you have anxiety-induced Insomnia, we have good news for you!

You can improve your sleep disorder by sleeping with your furry friend. Studies show that a dog in bed helps relieve Insomnia. It mitigates anxiety, affecting hyperarousal and hypervigilance. It all creates a better environment and mood for sleep, helping you combat Insomnia. 

6. Helps You Bond

Petting a dog releases oxytocin in human bodies. Oxytocin is the hormone of love and happiness. Females have high oxytocin levels when they give birth or breastfeed them. It has a feeling of being loved and safe. It also makes you feel relaxed and happy. Hence, it will help you bond better with your dog. 

7. Improves Overall Sleep Quality

Humans that sleep with their pets tend to have a better routine and sleep efficiency. It was proved by a study involving participants with their dogs. Researchers tracked their sleep closely for seven nights. Humans had an average of 81 percent sleep efficiency, with their dogs having 85 percent and 100 percent being the perfect score.

Why Should Your Dog Not Sleep with You?  

a dog with its puppies

Letting your dog in bed has several benefits, including enhanced health and bonding. However, at the same time, you need to consider various other factors. Look at the negatives of a dog sleeping in your bed below! 

1. Hygiene: Their Furry Coat Traps Dirt & Germs.

a dog covered in mud after playing at the park

If your dog is an outdoor lover, there are chances bugs & other parasites might also accompany you in bed. To avoid this, daily baths and brushing your dog is necessary. You should make sure not to neglect proper preventative medicines, along with visiting the vet at least once a month for checkups. 

2. Bed Wetting 

Old-aged dogs usually have a strong bond with their owners and want to be near them all the time. However, older dogs become weak, and aged bladders often tend to leak when they lay down.  

On the other hand, Puppies are always down for slumber parties but often end up wetting the bed, as they are in their initial stages of getting trained. 

3. Dog Dander Leads to Breathing Problems and Allergies  

Dogs are the furriest animals. As cute as that sounds, this can be a great deal for people with a breathing condition such as asthma. Dog fur tends to fall off and stick to blankets and sheets, which can be life-threatening.

Even if you are not allergic to dog dander, there are chances that a dog carries various other pollen or grass allergies in its fur. If you have a preexisting condition of allergy, then sleeping with a dog might exacerbate it.  

4. Dog Saliva with Bacteria  

Dog saliva contains a bacterium known as carnivorous. It does not harm the animals. But in some cases, it causes disease in humans with a weak immune system. Dog bites cause rabies leading to death in most cases. 

5. Aggressive Behavior of Dogs  

In some cases, the dogs start considering the bed as their territory and show aggression toward the owner. Some dogs also show symptoms of territorial aggression or separation anxiety. In such scenarios, the animal should not be allowed on the bed unless he learns to control his anger.  

Large animals can also unintentionally hurt you while sleeping. On the other side, puppies are so tiny and delicate that you will have to be very careful while sleeping with them and not hurt them accidentally or push them off the bed.  

6. Sleeping at Heights 

In case your bed is at a comparatively higher level. The dog will have to jump on and off, which might cause injuries in the long run. It can be harmful to dogs with Arthritis or orthopedic pain. 

Some More Ideas! 

a dog inside a tent house

If you are not comfortable sleeping in the same bed, create a cozy corner using simple DIY techniques. You can get a crate for them.  Look at our best dog crates for a puppy.

It will give your pet his own sleeping space. It will make him happy, and you will not have to worry about any cons either!

So, What Have You Decided? 

Choosing whether to let your dog sleep in your bed is a rather difficult decision. There are no clear-cut rules regarding this. However, before you invite your pup to the bed, there are a few things to consider. If your dog is all trained and has no behavioral problems, then you are good to go. Make sure to consider your existing condition as well: for instance, any dander allergies. Do not forget that if you are a light sleeper, you will have some problems adjusting with a dog moving and twisting around all the time. 

Overall, we recommend sleeping with them sometimes and letting them be independent as well. After all, what is better than an amicable middle ground? Do check how to train dogs at home.