Does your dog sleep with you? Ours do and some people don’t agree that they should. What is your opinion about pets in your bed?
Letting your dog sleep on the bed is not just a current-day occurrence, we know that the Egyptian pharaoh, Rameses the Great had a hound named Pahates who was given the title of “Bed Companion to the Pharaoh.” Alexander the Great was known to have rested from his battles, sleeping beside his great greyhound, Peritas.
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Facts indicate that over half of all dog owners let their pets sleep with them. Wonder why that is?
There are pros and cons to sharing your bed with a pet. Here’s some info to help you decide for yourself.
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The Pros Of Sleeping With Your Dog
- It’s psychologically comforting. It can ease anxiety and make you feel secure.
- Dogs provide a feeling of safety. Sometimes we can get anxious or afraid in the dark and even a small dog will give us a feeling of being protected.
- Dogs make good bed warmers because their body temperature is a few degrees higher than our temperature. Heard of the phrase “Three Dog Night”? It is said to come from the Canadian maritime provinces where it was common to have your dog/dogs in bed on cold nights.
- We have a Yorkie that gets nervous when there is bad weather, and he sleeps better between my husband and me.
- Most dogs are good snugglers. Who doesn’t want that?
- A lick on the face is better than a buzzing alarm.
- A dog will help you relax. Their slow rhythmic breathing can lull you to sleep just like holding a sleeping baby. This has been proven to lower stress levels.
- Your dog can also benefit from the beating of your heart or the sound of your breathing.
- Co-sleeping with your dog can increase the bond between you and your dog.
- Dogs prefer to sleep in elevated spaces where they can be more aware of their surroundings.
The Cons Of Of Sleeping With Your Dog
- One of the Labs we used to have had “dreams” that would cause him to jerk awake or make a howling noise. This would wake us, interrupting our normal sleep schedule.
- Once your dog starts sharing your bed, it is hard to get them to sleep in their own bed or crate. The Labs we used to have started sleeping with us as puppies. As they grew and grew, they took up a lot of room! I spent many a night in a space a lot smaller than my behind. They eventually got tired of having limited room and started sleeping beside our bed in nice big dog beds.
- If you or your mate have any allergies, they may be worse when your pet sleeps with you. Even if you are not allergic to your dog, they will carry in pollen, dust, and other allergens and deposit them in the bed.
- Your dog may be a natural watchdog and they may not be as comfortable in your bed and would prefer to be in a spot where they feel they are better protecting you.
- It is possible that your dog will make your bedding smell bad or be covered with hair.
- It might cause some disagreement between you and your mate if they are not as keen on the dog sleeping in bed with you both.
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- If your pup is not fully housebroken or your dog is elderly and sometimes has accidents, you will have mattress and bedding cleanup.
- If your dog is aggressive, they need their own sleeping place. Our Yorkie mentioned above in the Pro’s tends to get a little mean if he is touched while he is asleep or one of us moves around and disrupts him. When that happens, he moves to the floor – usually with a gentle nudge from one of us!
What do you think?
I believe if you, your mate, and your dog are OK with your dog sleeping with you, then go for it. But, if you or your mate has strong feelings against it, get your fur baby a nice comfy bed and put it next to your bed.
Janet
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We typically don’t allow our furry friend in bed. However, on special occasions, we make exceptions. 🙂
I totally understand. I think I breathe dog hair!