Should You Let Your Dog Sleep In The Same Room As You?

Are you considering sleeping with your dog in the same room? According to this study published in the journal of Human Nature, co-sleeping with pets may be beneficial to you. It revealed that in some traditional cultures, sleeping beside their dogs helps to get warmth or even keep off evil spirits. However, most modern cultures discourage the habit of sleeping together with pets because it may result in the transmission of allergies.

Read on to learn the benefits of sleeping on the same bed with your dog.   

What Are The Benefits Of Letting Your Dog Sleep In The Same Bed As You?

There are many advantages to sleeping in the same bed as your furry friend. Here they are: 

1. Increases The Feelings Of Comfort And Companionship

Sleeping together with your dog strengthens your bond. Training your dog on various commands would be easy because he trusts your intentions. The more time you spend with your dog, more your relationship will flourish.

2. Ease Anxiety

People with PTSD claim that they felt less anxious when sleeping on the same bed with their dogs. They noted a decrease in the intensity of nightmares. So, your dog maximizes comfort and makes you feel safe.

3. Provide Feelings Of Safety

Dogs are known to protect their owners from harm. So, it is natural to feel more safe and secure when your dog sleeps in the same bed or room as you. Since your dog doesn’t sleep deeply, he would instantly sense danger and warn you before it’s late. 

4. Reduces Depression

Contact with dogs initiates the release of hormone oxytocin which boosts mental health. Oxytocin is also known as the love hormone & it is released whenever you see your loved ones. For example, when a mother comes into contact with her child, she will feel excited because of this hormone. 

5. Treats Insomnia

Are you finding it hard falling asleep? Then a dog may help to calm your mind and make your eyes heavy with sleep. This is because a dog mitigates anxiety and reduces hyperarousal and hypervigilance. 

6. Reduces Allergies Later In Life

Studies have shown that exposure to pets during childhood may prevent people from having allergies or asthma later in life.  When you inhale your dog’s dust (skin shedding), it prompts your immune system to produce antibodies against them in your airway. These antibodies will significantly fight the possibility of an asthma attack later in life. 

7. Promotes A Healthy Heart

According to the American Heart Association, pet interaction reduces the chances of developing hypertension in old people.  This is because dog owners are likely to do more exercise during the day as they walk their dogs, so their heart muscle becomes stronger too.

8. Dogs Are Perfect Bed Warmers

With their long hair, dogs can keep you toasty on a cold night. This is one of the reasons why most people sleep on the same bed with their furry friends.

9. Dogs Wake You Up In The Morning

Dogs are the perfect substitute for alarm clocks. As they wag their tails in wee hours of the morning, you find yourself awake. What’s more, since your dog is a light-sleeper, he could approach you when he wants something early in the morning. 

Are There Health Concerns Related To Sleeping With Your Dog In The Same Bed?

It is true that there are some health concerns about co-sleeping with your dog. However, these issues are minimal and may not have serious effects.

1. Aggression Signs

Some dogs may become territorial about the area of the bed where they usually sleep. This could result in growls and snarls if your dog is very aggressive. But these situations rarely happen because most pet dogs are socialized.

2. May Interfere With Your Sleep

Some people claim that because dogs have a different sleeping pattern from humans, they are likely to disturb us in the middle of sleep. For example, by wagging their tails or licking our noses early in the morning.

Dogs are polyphasic sleepers and wake up at least 3 times in the night while humans are monophasic sleepers — sleeping only once in 24 hours. If you think your dog will interfere with your sleep pattern, then don’t allow it in your bedroom.

Conclusion

Sleeping with your dog in the same bed or room is a great idea. It has many perks such as reducing anxiety, strengthening your bond, treating depression, and managing insomnia. Some people also claim that allowing your dog into your bedroom may reduce the quality of your sleep because dogs are light-sleepers who wake up at least three times in the night. 

Author: Vincent Otieno