Is It Healthy To Sleep With Your Dog?
Sleeping with your dog falls within what is defined as “human-animal interactions.” These interactions inform how pets influence people’s lives.
In them, there are both positive and negative factors that should be known. Therefore, could you say what factors are and what is their importance? Here are some of the positive and negative attributes of sleeping with your dog.
Benefits of sleeping with your dog
Different studies collect the benefits of the relationship between humans and animals. These human-animal interactions have a positive influence, as they cause long-term psychosocial and psychophysiological effects on both the pet and the guardian.
Specifically, different parameters such as age or medical conditions and their relationship with the presence of an animal in the environment have been studied. These investigations have shown the positive effect of the presence of pets in the homes of people with different pathologies.
Improves mood
The presence of pets has been shown to influence the mood of their owners. Specifically, animals reduce levels of fear, stress and anxiety in the face of social interactions, for example.
Therefore, people with cardiovascular or mental problems could have a pet as an adjunct treatment to the relevant medical approach. Thus, it would help them to exercise and stay active, at the same time that they would increase their self-esteem.
Heat source
If there is no doubt about something, it is that hairy mammals are a great source of heat. They also look for other sources of heat, like humans, so it is normal for both of you to be in closer proximity in times of cold.
Pain reduction
Other research has looked at how dogs or other pets influence pain perception. These studies have been carried out using animal therapies in cancer patients, but could be extrapolated to the pet-owner relationship.
Possible drawbacks of sleeping with your dog
Although sleeping with your dog is an idea that sounds comfortable, you must take into account some drawbacks. We tell you about them in the following lines.
Decreased quality of sleep
When the pet sleeps in the same bed as the owner, the owner may perceive a decrease in the quality of sleep. Among the causes of this can be found the following:
- Reduction of available space: the pet can occupy an important space and push the other member to a corner of the bed.
- Not respecting the rules: the animal may get inside the sheets or fall asleep on the pillow. Each owner must indicate to his pet the rules to be able to sleep with him.
- Snoring: yes, as you read. Dogs – and even cats – can snore when they sleep. This may be due to a position in which the nose is plugged or other factors. However, it is something that must be valued.
- Movement during sleep: both the owner and the dog can move during the night and push or crush the other. The owner may sleep worse because he is concerned about this possibility.
Beware of allergies and diseases
Dogs can drag some allergens – such as pollen or dust – onto the bed. If the owner is allergic, he may suffer severe reactions or severe asthma attacks.
Also, sleeping with the dog increases the risk of a zoonosis, that is, that dogs transmit diseases. For this reason, periodic visits to the veterinarian and the use of protective products are recommended before considering it as a routine act.
On the other hand, it is also not recommended that pets sleep together with children. Among the justifications is the susceptibility of infants to fall ill, since their immune system is not as developed as that of an adult.
Tips for sleeping with your dog
Finally, here are some tips that can be taken into account when sleeping with your dog. Thus, it will be favored that both the pet and the owner are comfortable.
Exercise
Dogs are animals with a lot of energy. Therefore, one option is to exercise before bed. This way, you make sure that the animal is tired and rests during the night.
Rules for sleeping with your dog
The animal must get used to asking permission to get on the bed. By dictating a series of rules, you will prevent the dog from lying on the pillows or in the bed, for example.
In this way, those dogs with a strong character will also be controlled. In these cases, the owner must impose himself as an alpha so that the dog does not become aggressive or have bad behavior.
Visit the vet regularly
Although this advice should always be taken into account, in this situation it is essential. In this way, the animal will have its antiparasitic treatments – as well as its vaccines and medication – up to date.
Change bedding more frequently
Maintaining hygiene becomes a more important factor in this situation. For this reason, it is recommended to change the bedding often – blankets, bottom sheets and duvets, for example – in order to eliminate the hairs and possible microorganisms left behind by the animal.
In short, the emotional bond between a person and their pet is highly beneficial. Your activities together may include sleeping with your pet.
If this activity is chosen, it is convenient to investigate its effects, as has been reflected in these lines. However, this routine should also be tailored to the individual characteristics of the animal and the owner.
