Many people have a love-hate relationship with their pets. This is because the animal can be the best companion during the day, but at night it's more of a nuisance and may even disrupt sleep patterns. This article reviews both the pros and cons of letting your pet sleep in bed with you, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to let them join you at night.
At isense we get it, your dog or cat is your world! You want the best for them and you also want the best for yourself. When it comes to allowing your pets to sleep with you is this a good idea or does it become a hindrance to your overall quality of sleep? Let's take a look at some pros and cons of letting your furry babies sleep with you.
Pros:
Pets can create a sense of security: Security and feeling secure is something we all desire and need as humans. Many pets provide a sense of security for people especially at night when they are sleeping. The sense of security can help not only allow you to fall asleep faster but also stay asleep longer!
A Snuggle Partner: There are many people in the world without a significant other to sleep with. Did you know that the act of snuggling can actually release chemicals to make you feel happier and calmer? So one of the best benefits of allowing a pet to sleep with you is knowing that you have a companion you can snuggle up against at night. This can allow for a more successful sleep session due to increased relaxation for the body, mind, and spirit.
Extra Warmth: Some people are awakened at night from feeling overly cold. This is especially common in females. If you have noticed that you find yourself cold throughout the night, the addition of another warm body in bed with you can be very beneficial. Of course you don't want to become overly hot either as this can keep you awake and irritate the body and mind as well. But, if you tend to "run cold" at nighttime it might be wise to invite your loving fur baby into the bed with you to snuggle up against.
Protection: Some pets including large dogs can be a great protection and alarm system against intruders at nighttime. Some people prefer the peace of mind that their large dog is on the watch out and can signal to you if something is off inside the household. It has been known that many large breeds will defend their owner against any possible threats or dangers that they see arise. Even the simple act of a large deep bark or growl can deter most home invaders. So if you need the extra sense of security during the evening and you have the room in your bed, go ahead and let your "gentle beast"lay at the foot of your bed and do their job. Large breed dogs have a natural tendency to want to protect their pack.
Cons:
Sleep Disturbance: Even small animals can sprawl out on a large bed and make it uncomfortable for you to find a position to sleep in. Pets also tend to wake up frequently during the night due to suspicious sounds, smells, or anything else that triggers them to investigate. If you find that your pet is waking you up repeatedly through the night it might be best to move them to the floor or out of the room. The last thing that you want is to be tired all day long due to a fur baby taking over the bed and then repositioning all night long waking you up repeatedly!
Allergies: Most people don't even realize the effect that pet dander has on their allergies in the home. Sneezing, itching, watery eyes are all signs of allergic reactions which could be coming from being too close to your pet for too long. If you find yourself struggling with allergies at night it might be time to move your furry loved one out of the room for bedtime. As wonderful as they are they can wreak havoc on your physical body when it comes to allergies.
Shedding: Let's face it, most dogs and cats shed. Some shed more than others but you can almost always count on extra pet hair and dandruff on your sheets and comforters in the AM after they have gotten a night of sleep with you in your bed. Some people can't stand the thought of sleeping in a bed that is full of pet hair and dandruff. This can make it difficult to sleep well if at all. If you find that your dog just simply sheds too much even after proper brushing and baths it may be time to kick them to the floor or out of the room completely.
When it comes to letting your fur babies sleep in bed with you there are lots of pros and some cons. It will be up to you to investigate and experiment with allowing them to sleep in bed with you at night. Some people believe the pros outweigh the cons and vice versa. It will be up to you to decide how you move forward. Are you looking for that extra sense of security and protection, or do you honor a clean pet hair free bed more? Regardless of what you decide, remember that it will take some time for both you and your pet to get used to the knew adjustments.
If you decide that having your pet in bed with you is not the best option, be sure to get them a nice comfortable pillow bed that they can sleep on on the floor either in the room with you, or somewhere else that has been allocated as their sleep spot in your home! Enjoy your fur babies and happy sleeping!
