Happy New Year from Benny, Jessie and Maralyn!
Is It Safe to Sleep With My Dog?
Let sleeping dogs lie, so the saying goes, as many dog moms and dads attest that the best night’s sleep is produced when a dog is lying by their side, pillow to pillow, tail to tush, snout to sheet. According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, almost half of dogs sleep with their owners in their owner’s beds. Does that mean, however, that it’s safe to allow your dog to sleep on the bed with you?
Dogs are creatures of habit; so if Rover enjoys roaming into his kennel at night, why not allow him the comfort and “den-like” ritual of hunkering down into his favorite nighttime spot?
Many of us, myself included, prefer the soothing rhythms of a dog slumbering by our side, nestled in for a good night’s sleep. For the first two years of his life, my dog, Dexter, used my pillow for his own. This, for me, is quite the norm and many a pet parent would nod in agreement.
Adversely, there is a school of thought, and recently some more scientifically proven studies, revealing that sleeping with a dog might not be good for our health. From the “why’d you put a pin in my balloon” side of things, pet dander may instigate or trigger human allergies. Further, what Fido walks on outside is what Fido brings into the house and onto the bed linens. Diseases that can be transmitted between pets and people, known as zoonotic diseases, do exist, but this is in the bedroom as well as any other room in the house.
Dogs who shift during sleep can cause disruptions in human sleep, making it harder to ensure a solid night’s rest. The risk of rolling on Rover or the dog falling off the bed is also of consideration from the “no don’t do it” school of thought. From the pages of “dominance and pack structure” behaviorists, there is a widely-held belief that the leader of the pack should be the only one allowed on the bed to maintain order, structure, and hierarchy.
Phooey I say. If you enjoy having a dog (or more) sleep with you and his or her presence does not compromise one’s health, pile on the pooches.
Terry Casillas of Gulfport, Mississippi, says that she has been sleeping with dogs almost her whole adult life. As the founder of Tired Dog Rescue, she loves the comforting feeling of have a pack of dogs sleeping on her bed. At any given time, at least seven dogs can be found slumbering next to her.
The emotional effects of having a dog in our lives are immeasurable, as study after study reveals. In fact the Center for Disease Control reports that pets can help to lower our blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diminish feelings of loneliness. After a long day, many of us find solace in retreating to our beds and having our pooches snuggle next to us.