Should You Let Your Pet Sleep in the Bed With You? Experts Weigh In

Doctors and sleep pros break down the pros and cons of this common nighttime setup.

If you’re an animal lover, you likely haven’t thought twice about having your pet sleep in your bed with you. In fact, according to research, it’s estimated that half the dog owners in America sleep alongside their pets. Terry Cralle, MS, RN, certified clinical sleep educator and representative of the Better Sleep Council, says most pet owners consider their pets to be family members, and so will go to great lengths to ensure their fuzzy friends’ comfort and happiness.

But with an increasing focus on our sleep health (after all, one in three Americans reports not getting enough rest), people are taking another look at the disadvantages of allowing their pets to share the bed with them. In fact, it’s currently a subject of “soft controversy” among pet owners.

So, should you go on snoozing with your pet in your bed night after night, even though you admit your sleep could be better? Or should you create a spot separate from your bed where your pet can rest? We asked three experts to share the pros and cons of this nighttime habit.

The Pros of Sharing the Bed With Pets

It promotes feelings of calm, safety, and comfort.

If someone were to ask you why you allow your dog or cat to sleep in your bed every night, you might answer, “For the improved mental health, comfort, and companionship.” And you wouldn’t be alone in feeling that way.

Audrey Wells, MD, board-certified sleep medicine physician and founder of Super Sleep MD, says that a beloved pet can provide emotional connection and reduce stress and anxiety levels, thereby promoting sleep. “Some people may consider their pet an added layer of security, dependable to alert them to unexpected noises or lights,” she adds.

It helps you keep warm if you run chilly.

Do you tend to be cold? Then you might enjoy the warmth of a pet sleeping at your side. Cralle points out that this is why frigid winter nights are often referred to as “three dog nights.”

It may be a helpful part of your regular nightly routine, increasing sleep quality.

“Pets are sensitive to routine, and they can help enforce a regular bedtime and better sleep quality for their owner,” Dr. Wells says. ”Similarly, pets can signal a wake-up time in the morning and even prompt some time outside for a walk and daylight exposure.”

If you prefer your pet to sleep in your bed with you and find it beneficial for sleep, science is on your side. Amanda Farah, National Training and Behavior Coordinator at Best Friends Animal Society, says that some studies find that people sleep better and more soundly when their dog sleeps near them.

“If you and your dog both sleep well together, you’ll enjoy the health benefits that come with a good night’s sleep, such as improved mental clarity, lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and a stronger immune system,” Farah says.

The Cons of Sharing the Bed With Pets

Their presence may cause frequent sleep disruptions and compromise sleep quality.

If you tend to let your pet share your bed, there are some questions you can ask yourself. Does your pet disrupt your sleep? Do you let your pet share your bed to avoid them whining at your bedroom door? Does your pet frequently wake up to change positions? Does your pet have collar tags that make noise every time they move?

Cralle says that while some individuals sleep better while their pet is in the bed, some sadly don’t. She cautions that if your sleep is at all compromised by any aspects of having a pet sleep with you, the answer should be a definitive no. For example, if you’re a light sleeper and your dog moves a lot in the night, sleeping with your dog may mean that you wake more often and get less restful sleep. If your dog moves into a position that disrupts your own favored sleep position, this can also lead to low-quality sleep.

“Sacrificing your sleep means sacrificing your health, wellbeing, and quality of life—and that is not a sacrifice to make,” she says.

Dr. Wells adds that the decision is highly dependent on the pet-owner combination. But if you’re relying on an over-the-counter supplement like melatonin or a prescription to help you sleep soundly, you may want to rethink the arrangement.

“I respect a person’s decision to sleep with their pet or not, and simply try to inform them of the pros and cons,” Dr. Wells says. “However, I do try to avoid prescribing or endorsing sleep medication for an owner whose sleep is disrupted by their pet.”

She also notes that a pet can potentially aggravate insomnia, contribute to temperature discomfort, or increase the risk for falls while moving around at night.

It may aggravate allergies and sensitivities.

And what about hygiene and allergens? Co-sleeping with a pet may not be the best choice if you fall into certain categories. For instance, if you’re an asthma or allergy sufferer, Farah says that “a bed full of pet dander might result in poor sleep.”

“No dog is truly hypoallergenic because it is their dander, or shed skin cells—and not their hair—that’s responsible for triggering an allergic response,” she says. If you do continue to share your bed with your pet, Dr. Wells recommends frequent baths and grooming for them, along with allergen covers for the pillows and mattress.

It increases exposure to certain pathogens and diseases.

Unfortunately, there are also zoonotic diseases to consider, too, or ones that can be passed between pets and humans. It’s something that’s been confirmed by research. Bed-sharing between pets and their owners can elevate the exposure rate to pathogens that might be present. This is especially pertinent to small children, elderly adults, and pregnant or immunocompromised owners, who can develop infections easily.

And while it’s not pleasant to think about, pets can also unwittingly bring fleas and ticks into the bed. That’s why Farah says that “parasite preventatives are a must for dogs who co-sleep.” Cralle also recommends more frequent washing of bedding.

Related: The Icky Reason You Shouldn’t Make Your Bed As Soon As You Wake Up

What’s the Best Compromise?

If the downsides of having a four-legged bedmate have made you rethink your sleeping situation, Farah reassures that you can still enjoy having your dog or other pet close to you while you sleep. “A crate or dog bed next to the bed is a nice compromise,” she says. Cralle agrees, saying, “if you prefer sleeping with a pet, see if you don’t sleep better with room-sharing instead of bed-sharing.”

Dr. Wells emphasizes the fact that this new way of sleeping can benefit certain dogs as well. “From a personal perspective, I had a smallish dog who slept on my bed at night, and over time, I realized that repeatedly jumping down from the bed contributed to his shoulder arthritis,” she says. If jumping is a concern for your pet, it might be best to create a sleeping area for them on the floor.

Farah says that above all, if at any point sleeping with your dog is not enjoyable for one of you or if you see behavior problems developing around the bed, don’t feel bad about a new arrangement. “Dogs like predictability, but they’re also incredibly adaptable, so they’ll understand a new routine if you need one,” she says.

The Bottom Line

As a pet owner, you might be feeling torn whether you should continue to allow your pet to sleep in your bed with you. Our experts share a few additional words of wisdom to consider.

Farah says it’s important to do what’s best for you and your individual dog—everyone’s circumstances, preferences, and pets are different. “If you want your dog to co-sleep, and you accept that there may be hair and the occasional grass clippings in your bed, and your dog doesn’t have behavior issues relating to the bed, then it’s your choice,” she says.

Dr. Wells advises that the “well-slept version of you” is the best pet parent, adding, “everyone who is a pet owner should take care in striking a healthy balance.”

And Cralle stresses the importance of prioritizing your own sleep: “Never voluntarily sacrifice your sleep quality and/or quantity for any reason. Sleep is too important, and is literally the foundation of a healthy, happy life.”

At the end of the day, it’s really your decision if you’d like to continue sharing your bed with your pet. If you can’t imagine stirring in the night and not getting a few kisses or cuddles, then keep sleeping alongside your furry friend. But if you’re so tired from your co-sleeping arrangement that you can barely function during the day, create a wonderful, soft spot for them to rest at night, and keep them close to you in the bedroom.

Related: This Is What Good Sleep Hygiene Looks Like (and It Has Nothing to Do With Washing Your Sheets)

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