Our dogs are an extremely important part of our family. In many ways, we treat them in exactly the same way as the humans we love, often prioritizing their health, well-being, and happiness.
Dogs make great companions, particularly for people who live alone. Studies show that in addition to reducing negative emotions such as loneliness and depression, our canine pals can lower our blood pressure and have a positive effect on our cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and help us to reduce and manage stress.
When it comes to sharing your personal space with your dog, you will most likely find the benefits far outweigh the cons. However, while some owners won’t even allow their dogs on the couch with them, others have much more relaxed boundaries and will happily go as far as letting their canine sleep in their bed.
Research has shown that around half of dog owners allow their dog to sleep in their bed with them. Many pet owners wonder if it is safe to let their dog sleep in the bed with them, so today we are going to help dispell this question.
While you probably feel that you probably don’t get enough sleep, the average American spends almost 3,000 hours asleep each year. That is the equivalent of around 121 days or nearly a third of your entire year.
Most people realize that spending large amounts of time with someone who is ill increases the likelihood that you will also get sick. The same rules apply to animals who are sharing the same airspace as someone who is harboring a sickness or disease.
Unfortunately, it can be tricky to tell if a dog is unwell as they naturally try to mask any sicknesses. This means that you could be sleeping with a sick pet and not realizing it. Likewise, if you are unwell, you could be putting your beloved furbaby at risk.
Environmental allergens surround us all the time, from grass and tree pollen to dust and smoke. If you are hypersensitive to any of these allergens and you let your dog sleep in your bed, you could be setting yourself up for an allergic reaction. This is because, while we usually shower at least once a day and wash any allergens that may have attached to our skin away, we do not extend the same courtesy to our dogs.
Allergens can attach to her fur and skin, and unless you plan on giving her a bath before bed every night, she will then naturally transfer these onto your bedclothes. Once that happens, you will spend a great deal of time touching and inhaling them, putting you at risk of an allergic reaction. If your allergies are severe, the consequences could be serious.
Many people compare sharing a bed with a dog to sharing one with a toddler. Your canine doesn’t understand the importance of laying still so that everyone can rest. Instead, she will happily squirm, itch, fidget and make noise – and potentially keep you awake!
A little sleep deprivation may not be a massive cause for concern, but regularly interrupted sleep can cause you to experience health problems. Worse still, if you work in a job that requires intense concentration and you are tired, you could make serious and even deadly mistakes. For example, if your dog has kept you awake all night and you have to drive a long shift delivering pizza, your concentration on the road will be impaired and you are more likely to cause an accident – injuring yourself or someone around you.
While cuddle time with your canine pal might be reassuring if you usually sleep alone, if you suddenly decide to start sharing a bed with a partner, your pet might be unhappy with the change of environment. Whining, scratching at the door, and other undesirable behaviors are all common when an owner suddenly decides to change the rules at home.
Need more training advice for dogs? Call Geist Pet Wellness Clinic today at 317-434-1900.
10475 Crosspoint Blvd Suite 220
Indianapolis, IN 46256
(317) 516-5921
