Dog owners have been advised against letting their furry friends sleep in the same bed as them due to bacteria and poor sleeping habits. According to furniture specialists JYSK, allowing your dog to get under the covers could spread fleas and ticks. They caution: “You risk getting more than just soft fur under the covers.
“Dogs and other pets can bring fleas, ticks and in rare cases pathogenic bacteria to bed, such as ringworm, tapeworms, Campylobacter, parasites and bacteria from urine and faeces in their fur.” Seemingly, it can also worsen your sleep, as dogs have a different sleep routine to ours and regularly wake numerous times throughout the night.
They are what experts term polyphasic sleepers, signifying they manage three sleep/wake cycles per nocturnal hour.
Pet bedding producer Bronte Glen suggested dog owners put their pet’s bed in their bedroom if they’re anxious about sleeping separately.
They said: “For dogs who like to be near their humans, placing their bed in your bedroom can be a comforting option that also respects your personal space.”
Based on the American Kennel Club’s findings, just under half of people share their bed or bedroom with their pet.
Research published in the Scientific Reports journal advised against sleeping in the same bed as pets due to a greater risk of insomnia.
It found: “Co-sleeping with pets was associated with poorer sleep characteristics-specifically, poorer perceived sleep quality and greater insomnia severity.”
The study added that the number of pets you have can impact your sleep quality, with more dogs usually leading to worse sleep.
However, it also suggested that having your dog in your room or on your bed can reduce anxiety about home security, as dogs are lighter sleepers and more likely to be alerted by any unusual noises.