– by Dr. Shelley Breadner –
On these cool winter nights, it is comforting to pull the blankets up and be warm and safe. What could be better than cuddling in with your feline, or sharing morning stretches with your dog? Is it okay to allow your pet to sleep in bed with you? There may be many opinions around the water cooler at work, but it is not so black and white. What side of the bed are you on?
Pets bring us comfort, and improve our physical and mental health. Having a pet to sleep with can allow us to feel safer, happier and more relaxed. Some people have difficulty sleeping when they are away from their pets, even for one night.
The NO Side: If you don’t want your pet sleeping with you, be sure to start out that way with them. Cats are nocturnal and are often interested in getting up too early in the morning for breakfast or birdcalls. They are all or nothing about being on the bed, so if you don’t want your cats sleeping with you, keep them out of the bedroom. If you have allergies, this means zero tolerance for pets in the bedroom. This, along with a HEPA filter, may be enough to allow your pet to live with you without overwhelming your allergies.
If you are a light sleeper, a snoring hound or meowing cat can lead to chronic sleep deprivation for their humans. This has many work- and health-related consequences. Cats may become demanding and aggressive to their sleeping owners when they want something such as food or attention. The last thing one wants is a face scratched or nose bitten for not getting their telepathic message in your dreams.
Some dogs will guard their sleeping space, and once on the bed, claim this for their own. They may growl or display aggression with the person whose bed it is, or to another family member when they enter the room. In these cases, it is always advised that the dog have a sleeping area outside the bedrooms and away from family members.
The YES Side: If your dog is always responsive to moving for you, and is not a restless sleeper or bed hog, then no more guilty feelings about this one. By all means, they can sleep on the bed! If your cat is a cuddler, let their purr help soothe you to sleep. If your pets are allowed outdoors, be sure to have them on a flea prevention program so that you and your bed don’t get infested.
If your pet likes to stretch out and take up most of the bed, consider getting a larger bed, or change your sleeping location. Wait a minute … should that be the other way around? After all, whose bed is it? Often having a comfortable sleeping area nearby will make the adjustment fairly smooth, after a few restless nights during the transition.
We don’t get many calls to help people get their pets to sleep in the bed with them, but we do get lots about how to get them out! If you are Sleepless on the Peninsula, we can help get you on your way to a good night’s sleep. Who knew veterinarians could be good sleep therapists?
