There are a plethora of ways in which pet ownership improves human lives. Whether or not those benefits are increased if you sleep with your dog or cat is debatable and may depend on your individual situation.
Perhaps won’t lower how well you sleep
Sleeping with a dog in the bedroom might be disruptive. Numerous additional variables enter into the equation, including human and animal population density, pet size, and sleeping quarters. Each component must work in tandem.
It has been established in a small study of adults that it is possible to get a good night’s sleep even with a dog in the bedroom, albeit this benefit is diminished if the dog shares the bed with the humans. A dog bed next to your own bed could be the answer to this problem.
The presence of dogs in beds has been found to be less disturbing to sleep than the presence of cats or other people.
A solid indicator that your dog is an excellent bedmate is if you feel rested upon waking and have plenty of energy to get through the day.
Gives a sense of safety and ease
More so than with a partner or a cat, having a dog in bed is associated with a sense of safety and comfort. This is a nice thing to do if you spend a lot of time alone or away from your dog.
Improves one’s state of mind
Having a pet can be a great stress and anxiety reliever. They encourage social and emotional ties, which can in turn affect one’s mood as well as one’s mental health in general.
A study conducted in 2012 found that interactions between humans and animals may be beneficial to stress-related characteristics such as:
cortisol levels in the blood heart rate and blood pressure
There is some evidence to suggest that they might be helpful:
- Reduce the effects of stress by lowering your levels of adrenaline and norepinephrine.
- Tone down the aggressiveness
- Enhance empathy
- Increase both your own trustworthiness and the trust others have in you.
According to the findings of a study that was conducted in 2016, individuals who have ongoing issues with their mental health should consider their pets to be a primary source of support.
It’s possible that having those benefits reinforced as you sleep by your pet companion will help.
Tips for falling asleep next to your dog
It’s crucial that both people sharing a human dog bed are comfortable with the arrangement. To help you find peace and quiet in the evening, consider these further suggestions:
The dog needs a walk before bed.
- Instruct children to ask permission before climbing onto the bed.
- Adhere to the regulations set forth. In other words, if you don’t want your dog on your pillow or under the covers, don’t give it any special treatment.
- Keep your dog off the bed to discourage any potentially destructive behaviour.
- See your vet frequently for exams and vaccines.
- Take preventative measures against fleas and ticks.
- If your vet recommends deworming, do it.
- After taking care of your pet’s waste, you should wash your hands.
- Sheet and pillowcase changes should be frequent.
In the event of a hitch that prevents you from getting a decent night’s sleep, consider putting your dog up somewhere else until the situation is resolved. Consult a dog trainer or veterinarian for guidance.
Summary:
The presence of dogs in beds has been found to be less disturbing to sleep than the presence of cats or other people. It is possible to get a good night’s sleep even with a dog in the bedroom, though this benefit is diminished if the dog shares the bed with the humans. Pets have been shown to reduce stress-related characteristics such as cortisol levels in the blood heart rate and blood pressure. They also reduce the effects of stress by lowering your levels of adrenaline and norepinephrine. They encourage social and emotional ties, which can in turn affect one’s mood.
