Is it unhealthy to sleep with your dog?

It’s impossible to deny that dogs and cats are warm and cuddly. Being near your pet can even improve your mood.

However, you may be surprised to learn that sharing your bed with your pet is not the best idea.

New pet owners are torn between allowing their dog to sleep in bed with them or forcing them to sleep on the floor.

They frequently decide against sleeping with dogs, confident that they will stick to their decision.

The puppy then whimpers or looks at them with puppy-dog eyes, and they cave and allow the pet onto the bed anyway.

Why Does My Dog Want to Sleep on my bed?

Sleeping with dogs may appear fun and Luxury. But it’s a natural instinct for your dog.

Dogs live in packs. They may no longer sleep in dens, but it’s in their DNA to want to be close to those they care about. That person is you.

Dogs, in addition to protecting you, provide warmth and comfort by sleeping together. However, sleeping with your dog is not always a good idea.

If a dog sleeping in bed with you sounds okay, you might not realise the consequences. Here are 9 reasons why your dog shouldn’t sleep with you. 

7 reasons sleeping with your dog in bed is unhealthy

Most people are taken aback when they learn that sleeping with their pet may not be the best idea. After all, isn’t it companionship that drew you to your pet in the first place?

When it comes to your health, however, think twice before allowing your pet to snuggle up beneath the sheets with you.

It may be bringing more than just warmth and love — your adorable and cuddly cat or dog may be harbouring some germs, bacteria, and bugs. 

If you allow your pet to sleep with you at night, here’s what you might be inviting into your bed.

1. Pets Can Trigger Allergies

Another medical issue that can result from sleeping with dogs is an allergic reaction.Even if you are not allergic to dog dander, your dog’s fur can accumulate allergens that cause your allergies.

So, If you are allergic or Asthmatic avoid sleeping with your dog completely.

DO YOU SUFFER FROM ALLERGIES?

The majority of individuals do not have allergies to their dog – after all, that is why they bought one in the first place. 

When your dog sleeps on your bed, though, it is possible to acquire allergies to them. In particular, if your dog is lying on your covers or resting his paws on your pillows, you should be concerned.

Your dog is always barefoot, no matter where he goes. Consider all of the horrible bacteria that are on your dog’s paws. Afterwards, your dog licks himself all over his body. 

It is now likely that the same dog will be rubbing all over your pillows – even just where you rest your face. 

Dog owners who are exposed to bacteria, dust, and germs on a regular basis may develop allergies as a result of this exposure. 

This is why it is really vital to groom your dog on a regular basis in order to help maintain things as clean as they can be.

If this does occur, the answer is straightforward: just move your dog’s sleeping quarters to a different location. The majority of the time, this will eliminate any allergy symptoms.

2.Pets bring in Parasites

Can we all just say “eww!” together? According to the CDC, parasites, most commonly roundworms and hookworms (but there are many other equally nasty offenders out there), are common in dogs and cats.

These parasites typically lay their eggs in your pet’s hair, where they are easily shed onto your sheets. Who wants to sleep next to those eggs that are about to hatch?

3.Co-Sleeping Makes House Training Difficult

When you have a new puppy, it can be difficult to resist their sad eyes at bedtime.However, doing so increases the likelihood of them having a potty accident on the bed. Even housebroken older dogs can develop incontinence.

Once you allow your dogs to sleep on your bed, it becomes a habit and it could be very tough to train them to sleep in their Crate or their bed. 

4.Your Sleep Will Be Disrupted

Since the dogs are active for about 20-25% of the night, co-sleeping can result in “relatively mild reductions in overall sleep quality” for humans, according to a small Australian study.

Sleep disruption could also be caused by differences in core temperatures between humans, dogs, and cats.

However, the disadvantages of human-animal co-sleeping are “minor” when weighed against the social support and increased feelings of security it provides, according to US researchers.

Some pets may be even more disruptive to our sleep when they are not in the bed, such as when scratching at doors or barking outside.

DON’T YOU SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT?

If you are a light sleeper, avoid sharing a bed with anyone else. Everyone believes that their dog will not disturb them while they sleep. 

If you are a light sleeper, on the other hand, the snoring, scratching, and continual readjusting from your dog will drive you completely insane.

Additionally, in the morning, any tiny movement from you might be seen by your dog as a signal that it is time to get up, go outside, and have breakfast! In other words, when you wake up at 5 a.m. to enjoy another two hours of sleep, your dog may be jumping up on your face and licking your face!

5.You Can Get Sick

According to veterinary health expert Jane Heller, cats and dogs carry a variety of bacteria and parasites, some of which can be transmitted to humans.

Some of the health risks associated with close contact between humans and pets include Staphylococcus (skin infections) and parasite diseases such as round worms.

However, the risks are low, especially if the animals are kept clean and have regular vet checks.

And, according to Dr. Heller, the risks aren’t all that different from those associated with sharing a bed with another human.

Allergies can also be accentuated by having pets in the bed.

One simple way to mitigate these, Dr Heller says, is to train the animal to sleep at the end of the bed on a separate blanket.

6.Fecal matter

It’s time to face the facts. If your dog is like most dogs, it either step in, plays with or eats (yuck!) poop.

And when your dog comes into your house, and your bed, it tracks the poop right along with it.

Not only is this yuck, but it’s an easy way to transmit parasites and bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. Veterinarian Dr Carol Osborne recommends spritzing off your dog’s feet with a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and water when it comes inside to help decontaminate its paws.

7.Ticks and Flea

You’re probably aware that you can get a tick from a walk in the woods, but did you know your dog can also get one?

If it has one in its fur and comes to bed with you, the tick may attach to you rather than your dog.

“Ticks carry many diseases that are contagious to humans, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Anaplasmosis,” said Osborne.

You get fleas if you sleep with a dog. We’ve all heard it before, and I mean it in the most literal sense right now. 

A flea-infested bed was probably your worst nightmare as a pet owner once upon a time. Doesn’t it seem like trivial matters now?

HOW TO INSTRUCT YOUR DOG TO SLEEP IN YOUR MATTRESS

First and foremost, spend the first several months with your new dog sleeping in his crate, bed, or other dedicated part of your home. 

This will educate him that you go to your bed at night and he goes to his bed at night as well. 

This pattern will help to reduce his fear about being away from you while also demonstrating to him that sleeping alone is completely acceptable.

Don’t make going to bed a huge problem for yourself. It is likely that your dog will believe it is a big thing if you make your departure to your bed a big deal.

At any time throughout the day, you should not allow your dog to be on your bed, much alone sleep there. 

Dogs should not be permitted on the bed, as it should be a human only zone. Similarly, his box or dog bed is a dog-only zone — no humans are permitted to enter.

If you allow your dog to sit on your couch, you might want to consider designating a certain area on the couch for your dog. 

If you want to accomplish this, place a blanket on a certain portion of the sofa, invite your dog to that section, and treat him for staying on his blanket. 

When they move away from that portion of the couch, you may either lead them back to the blanket or transfer them away from the couch altogether.

THE TIMES WHEN YOUR DOG IS SLEEPING IN YOUR BED

When your dog is sleeping on your bed with you, there are several key guidelines to remember.

Continue to provide your dog with access to a comfy bed or crate whenever possible.

You should let your dog to decide where he wants to sleep – in his allocated human bed area or in his designated dog bed area, for instance. 

This decision keeps him from becoming overly connected to the idea of sleeping in your bed.

Allow your dog to sleep in his crate or on his own dog bed every now and then for his own comfort. Once a week, for example, your dog should sleep in his crate or dog bed. 

While no exact number can be determined, Once again, this promotes independence while also providing you with a night to yourself.

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Wrapping up…

Is It Harmful to Sleep With Your Dog?

There are advantages and disadvantages to allowing your dog to sleep in your bed with you. It all comes down to the pet owner’s personal preference.

However, just because your dog isn’t allowed in bed doesn’t mean they can’t sleep in the same room. Many dog owners use dog beds and crates to keep their dogs close but not too close.

FINAL CONCLUSIONS

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to whether or not your dog should be allowed to lie in your bed with you. 

If it isn’t causing you any problems and you are comfortable with it, go ahead and do it.

If you want to share a bed with your dog, I strongly advise you to prioritise his or her well-being over your own selfish desire to do so. 

Despite the fact that you may want to cuddle up with your brand new puppy on the first night, teaching independence and toilet training can result in a more better life for both you and your dog in the long run. 

Additionally, keep in mind that you can welcome your dog to lie in your bed at a later time.

Good night, and good luck!

Ash loves Pets! Ash is an animal lover. She loves caring for and sharing her knowledge of all kinds of pets. Her Love for pets made her Join the pet paws hub Team, to share knowledge with the world.
Ash VohraPet Lifestyle Blogger

For more about pet dogs and cats see our other articles below

References

• AVMA– Vet 
• Cavapoo Intelligence
• S,Coren Dog Intelligence study
• The Everything Poodle Book (2004) by J.Adams
  Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2014) by H. Bowler
  The Complete Standard Poodle (1998) by E. Geeson
  Cavapoos or Cavoodles: The Ultimate Cavapoo Dog Manual (2014) by G. Hoppendale
  Poodle Clipping and Grooming: The International Reference (2001) by S. Kalstone