Is it Smart to Sleep With Your Pets?

Many pet owners love a good cuddle, but is it unhealthy for you (or your pet) to spend the night together in the same bed? Our writer explores this (potentially furry) issue.

Like most relationships, there are usually two sides to every story. And the same goes for whether or not you should invite dogs or cats into your bed at night.

From the human perspective, experts have found that pets definitely disrupt their bed mate's sleep patterns. In a widely cited study in 2002, John Shepard, M.D. found that more than half of the 300 patients he surveyed at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center reported that their sleep was disturbed by their cats or dogs. Not surprising when you consider that dogs hog the mattress, snore, wake you up at 3 a.m. to have their tummies scratched, attack your toes under the sheets, leave your bed full of hair or -- worse yet -- slobber. Cats, meanwhile, tend to be nocturnal and love nothing more than jumping on and off the bed all night and chasing shadows in the bedroom.

And then there's the issue of your relationship with other humans. Dog trainer Kellyann Payne, a past-president of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, warns that some dogs who sleep next to their owners can start to be very possessive over beds, and may growl when someone other than their owner comes near them. Something to think about if there's a special someone you'd like to invite into bed with you too.

It might be hard to hear for dog owners who love nothing more than curling up with the pooch, but sleeping with Rufus isn't the greatest idea for him either. "We encourage people not to sleep with [their] dogs," says Scott McKay, D.V.M., staff vet at Doctors Forster and Smith. "It's really better for dogs to have a clean, comfortable space that's all their own. It makes them feel more content." Not only that, making that leap into bed, especially if your bed is high off the ground, gets harder and harder for dogs as they get older and contend with arthritis and hip issues.



So how do you break the news that it's over?

Generally, the transition from your bed to doggy bed is much harder on you than on your pooch (despite the puppy eyes and pathetic whimpers). "When you give a dog his own little bed, he's probably not lying there contemplating why you kicked him out," McKay says. It's not punishment even though some people find it hard not to see it that way. Instead, it's like their little special "den" where they feel safe.

If you want to make the transition to a dog-free-bed, McKay suggests you give it at least two weeks. Don't throw in the towel after the first night. A few of his tips:

1. Introduce your dog to where you want him to sleep and establish that as his special place. Spend time there with him and put his favorite toys there.

2. Reward your dog when he goes to his special place with praise and attention, or a treat.

3. In the morning, give him lots more praise and attention, so that he gets the idea, "Oh, when I sleep in my own space, in the morning, I get rewarded".


Finding the Right Bed

"It may take a few tries to figure out what your dog will like. Some dogs prefer an orthopedic bed. They can be especially good for older dogs. Other dogs love round donut-style beds while some might just like to nest in a pile of blankets," says Payne. "The best way to start is by looking where your dog is choosing to sleep right now. Dogs who choose the floor are likely to enjoy a nice thin or firm bed. Those who seek out the plush comforter or pillows on your bed are likely to enjoy a cushy donut. My dog Jasper, a PBGV (Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen) who I got from the local shelter, loved to dig through my laundry basket from day one. He is the one who loves a pile of old receiving blankets on top of his bed."

If you're going to invest in a dog bed, look for one that is stain-resistant, odor-resistant, machine washable, and well-made. Payne likes the William Wegman Pet Beds (below) available from from Crypton Super Fabrics. "They are more expensive, but they're worth it," she says.

William Wegman Pet Beds

Another tip for finding a truly durable bed is to look at the ones that are marketed as indoor/outdoor, like the Ultimate Deck/Patio Dog Bed from Drs. Fosters and Smith. For her own dogs, Jasper the PBGV, and Nemo, a basic brown dog who was found in a sewer, Payne prefers bolster beds like the orthopedic Luxury Bolster Dog Bed. "Having a backing or bolster provides them with a sense of security, much in the same way that many dogs will pick a corner of a couch, the corner of the room or even choose their crate. That is my theory anyway," she says.

A pooch-free night's sleep is a personal choice, of course, but if you're finding that you can't make it through your six to eight hours because of your pets, don't fret about moving them into their own beds. Instead, think of all the energetic hours of daytime play time you can have with them if you're well rested. Walkies, anyone?