If you’re a dog lover, you may be wondering whether you should let your beloved pooch share your bed. While many people who have dogs allow them to sleep in their beds, others think it’s a bad idea. Although there are some advantages of sleeping with your four-legged friend, there are a few downsides too, so read on to get the information you need to make an informed decision about what’s right for you.
The Advantages Of Sleeping With Your Dog
In general, touching and interacting with your pet can help you to relax. It releases oxytocin – the hormone that makes us feel happy and loved – and this helps to promote feelings of calm and may help you to sleep better.
Sleeping with your pet may also help you to feel safer. Your dog will hear strange noises in the night and can alert you to any potential intruders. This is beneficial for anyone who lives alone or who feels unsafe.
Some dogs, especially those who have come from a rescue center, bond better with their new owner when they can sleep with them in their bed. It helps them to feel part of a pack and makes them feel safe and secure with their new family.
In the winter, snuggling with your dog is also cozy and comforting, since your pet will be warmer than you.
The Downsides Of Having Your Pet In The Bed With You
Although it may sound wonderful to have your dog sleep in your bed, there are a few downsides to keep in mind too.
If you have asthma or allergies, sleeping with your dog may aggravate your condition. Bedrooms should be pet-free zones for anyone who experiences allergy symptoms due to dog hair.
Also, if you have a dog that experiences separation anxiety, territorial aggression, or dominance aggression, allowing it to sleep with you is almost certainly going to be a poor idea. These issues can all get worse when your pet is allowed to sleep in your bed.
Some people find that having their pet in their bed negatively impacts on their love life, so having a plan to keep your dog out of your room at certain times. Both partners must agree to have their furry companion in the bed too, as otherwise, there could be arguments and disagreements that can affect your relationship.
One further thing to bear in mind is that sleeping with a dog adds up to more bacteria and dirt in the bed. Dogs pick up many things on their paws, tail, and belly during the day and all of this filth gets brought into the bed together with drool that is laden with bacteria, and even parasite eggs, or ticks and fleas, all of which can be transmitted to human co-sleepers.
How To Prepare For Sharing Your Bed With A Dog
If you’ve decided to share your bed with your beloved pet, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Choose a large enough bed. Dogs can take up a lot of space, and if your bed is too small you’ll end up with disturbed sleep every night. An Alaskan King Bed is the ideal solution, offering plenty of space for both human and animal sleepers to get a comfortable rest.
- Ensure your pet is housetrained. Nobody wants a wet or soiled bed because their dog isn’t properly housebroken.
- Make sure your pet is checked regularly for parasites and treated regularly for ticks and fleas throughout the year.
Following these tips will make it easier and more comfortable to share your bed with your furry companion.
