Pet experts have long advised pet parents not to sleep with their dogs or cats for at least two main reasons: it will promote poor behavior in the animal and could lead to serious illness in humans.
May decrease sleep quality
Dogs are always on the alert, so they're light sleepers. One 2020 study shows that having a dog in bed increases human movement. This can potentially disturb sleep, but those people rarely remember waking up due to dog movement.
So long as your dog is healthy, well-trained and isn't waking you up frequently in the night, feel free to let your pup sleep where they like. Whether or not your pup even wants to be in your bed might just be one of the things your dog wishes you knew.
They enjoy sleeping with you because it makes them feel safe and comfortable. Sleeping together gives dogs an emotional connection to their owners. Dogs feel love and gratitude towards you, just like you feel towards them.
Not only can pet dander cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but pet dander can potentially be harmful to your respiratory system. According to the American Lung Association this can “lead to a decline in the ability of the lungs to function.” Make sure that you and your loved ones are safe; let's start at the basics.
Although dogs can be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of their owners, people should be aware that dogs of any age, including puppies, can sometimes carry harmful germs that can make people sick. Germs from dogs can cause a variety of illnesses, from minor skin infections to serious illnesses.
When pet hair and dander is inhaled, the tiny hairs and other harmful particles can travel down into the lung and stay there. In time this can inflame the lung lining and scar the airways, which can then progress into a chronic lung condition. We sometimes call this 'Groomers Lung'.
People suffering from pet allergies will have symptoms consistent with swollen nasal passages. This includes a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and shortness of breath. Coming into physical contact with pet dander can cause contact dermatitis, or a skin rash, hives or triggers a person's asthma.
Carpet fibers tend to trap pet dander, and every time you walk across the flooring, the particles will get kicked back up in the air. Use a vacuum with a HEPA-rated filter to pull the dander out of the carpet and get rid of it for good.
Poop from pets, like dogs and cats, can carry germs like bacteria and parasites that can make people sick. Poop from pets can also contaminate waterways and harm the environment. Practice responsible pet poop habits to keep yourself, your family, and the environment healthy.
Hairballs occur when your dog ingests fur and the hair does not smoothly pass through the digestive system but accumulates, forming a hairball. Telltale signs of a hairball are coughing, retching, vomiting, loss of appetite if the blockage occurs, and sometimes gastrointestinal distress including diarrhea.
Dogs and cats: Your pet doesn't set off an allergic reaction -- it's what's trapped in their hair or fur. Saliva, sweat, pee, and dander (dead skin cells) can all trigger allergies. Pet fur also traps mold, pollen, and other outdoor allergens that make you sneeze and your eyes water.
Prolonged exposure to the odor can also cause skin and eye irritations like skin burns, permanent eye damage, and even blindness! Additionally, your dog's urine can also cause tracheal burns, airway damages, cough, shortness of breath, the list just goes on.
They don't have watery, dripping sweat as humans do. Yet, they do sweat in their paws and through their fur, which has an odor to it. Dogs can then track this smell through the house by walking about or rolling on the carpet. This leads to your home smelling like wet dog.
It provides them with a reliable place to lay their head and sense safety. This desire to sleep with you is likely a natural instinct to stay close for safety and secureness. You being the head of household or of certain authority to your dog, they feel the most secure in your presence.
A crate is a great place for your dog to sleep! Not only does a crate guarantee that your dog won't get into trouble in the middle of the night, but it also provides him comfort and security. If you have decided to crate-train your dog, it is ideal to pad the crate with soft blankets or pillows.
However, allowing your dog to sleep in your bed may encourage a problem that's already there. For example, sleeping in bed with you can reduce anxiety in dogs, but can also exacerbate separation anxiety in the long term as your dog becomes used to having you as support every night.
However, allowing your dog to sleep in your bed may encourage a problem that's already there. For example, sleeping in bed with you can reduce anxiety in dogs, but can also exacerbate separation anxiety in the long term as your dog becomes used to having you as support every night.
A crate is a great place for your dog to sleep! Not only does a crate guarantee that your dog won't get into trouble in the middle of the night, but it also provides him comfort and security. If you have decided to crate-train your dog, it is ideal to pad the crate with soft blankets or pillows.
Some puppies may be ready to sleep in bed at 4 months old, but some may need to be 6 months old or older before they can sleep with you. Don't focus on the number but rather your dog's individual readiness for this big step.
For your dog, it's an important bonding experience. There are many benefits to sleeping with your dog, and sharing your sleeping space with them has a different meaning for you and your dog. For you, it can be a way to snuggle. For your dog, it's an important bonding experience.