The Real Reason Why Dogs Like To Sleep in Their Owners’ Beds

Beth Ann Mayer

Dog sleeping in owner's bed

You may have gotten a dog in large part for the cuddles. Petting that soft fur can be so comforting and strengthen your bond. And many pet parents may notice these snuggle sessions don't end when the day does—dogs often love joining their humans in bed, perhaps hogging all the space (even small dogs somehow manage this feat).

"You may be thinking that your dog would prefer having their own space and would rather use their own dog bed—their familiar bed that they use during the day," Sarah-Anne Reed, a consulting holistic dog trainer at Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and owner of Pack Dynamics in Bend, Oregon. "But it [may] seem that they’d rather join you in your bed—probably taking up a lot of space, leaving you practically hanging off the side of the bed."

If this is the case with you and your furry friend, you're probably not alone. In a recent survey of 1,000 dog parents, 76 percent copped to letting their dog climb into bed with them at night.

"Dog parents typically love spending time with their pets, and that time doesn’t end when the lights go down," explains Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy.

Dogs have funny habits, like "who-me" faces post-barking session or toddler-inspired meltdowns over Bluey. 

Experts say the main reason dogs like to sleep in their owners' beds is far less baffling than Bluey-gate, though. 

Related: How To Speak Your Dog's Love Language

Why Do Dogs Want To Sleep in Bed With People?

Pack mentally makes a dog's desire to bedshare with their favorite human as natural as can be. "Dogs are social animals that live in packs in the wild," Dr. Hess says. "They sleep with members of their pack to feel safe and to protect each other from predators. They instinctively like to sleep in contact with others whom they trust and feel affection for."

Reed agrees.

"If your dog were in the wild or living on the streets, they would huddle up close to other pack members in the den for warmth and protection against the elements and potential predators," Reed explains. "It's natural for your dog to want to snuggle up beside you or at least join you on the bed."

Wait...Domestic Dogs Have Pack Mentality?

They sure do, and that pack mentality—along with the resulting instinct to sleep side by side with loved ones—appears on day one of puppyhood.

"Many puppies love to sleep next to their siblings, so it's no surprise that as they grow up, they too want to sleep in bed close to their human family members," says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover. "Many dogs feel safe and comfortable while sleeping in the human bed with their human families."

Dr. Hess echoes these sentiments—we may have taken the dogs out of the wild. However, we haven't completely taken the wild out of the dog.

"Domesticated dogs are no different [than wild ones]," Hess says. "They sleep with their human companions whom they consider pack-mates and who they feel comfortable with and want to protect."

Basically, take this sweet behavior as a huge compliment.

"The biggest reason that a dog wants to sleep in their owner’s bed is the comfort they feel in being close to you," Reed says. 

Related: Your Dog Communicates More Than You'd Think—Veterinarians Share How To Decode Their Body Language

Other Reasons Your Dog Wants To Sleep Next to You

1. Routine

Letting your dog in your bed once or twice can turn it into an every-night thing.

"Dogs may choose to sleep in their owner’s bed out of routine," says Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, Camp Bow Wow’s animal health and behavior expert. "For example, a dog may have gotten used to being up there, and it’s now part of their routine."

2. They love your scent

Your human bestie may not adore how you smell post-sweat session. Your dog disagrees.

"We sweat in our sleep and spend a lot of time there," Ellis says. "Of everything in the house, the bed usually smells the most like us, and our pets, who are so scent-oriented, love to be sleeping in an area that smells like."

3. Hormones

The bond you and your pup share is more than emotional—it's physiological.

"Besides safety, affection and trust, dogs like to sleep alongside their human companions because physical closeness to their owners releases the hormones oxytocin and dopamine, which make animals feel good," Dr. Hess says. "These hormones are found at higher levels in animals closely bonded to pet parents."

4. Anxiety

Some dogs experience anxiety, and bedsharing is almost therapeutic.

"For anxious pets, close physical contact with a trusted human can ease their stress and reduce their anxiety," Dr. Hess says.

This anxiety may be particularly pronounced in protective dogs. While you may consider yourself your dog's guardian, some pups naturally desire to protect you.

"For dogs who are protective of you, if they aren’t close to their family members and can’t check on their safety, it can cause anxiety," Reed says.

5. Your bed is comfy

You may have pulled out all the stops to buy your furry friend the coziest dog bed around. But even ones with glowing reviews may not rival yours.

"Many dogs love the comfort of sleeping on a soft, fluffy pillow, surrounded by cozy blankets," Reed says. 

Those blankets also give pets an outlet for another natural inclination: Burrowing.

"After burrowing, they feel warm and safe, completely covered, like being in a den," Reed explains.

6. They prefer elevated accommodations

Floor beds may be all the rage in the human-baby world. But dogs may love to sleep on higher ground.

"It's security and vigilance so they can see who’s coming and going easily or, if applicable, even see out a window better," Askeland says. 

Related: 9 Ways To Fill Your Dog’s Emotional Cup, According to Pet Experts

Should I Let My Dog Sleep in Bed With Me?

That's totally up to you.

"There’s no right or wrong answer," Reed assures pet parents.

Askeland agrees, stressing there are pros and cons to letting a dog call your bed their own.

"The comfort of a pet near you may help you relax," Askeland says. "It may help you feel more secure."

That said, it's not all peanut butter treats and rainbow chew toys.

"You may lose some space on your bed," Askeland says. "If your pup moves around or snores a lot, you may get woken up more than you’d like, especially if you’re a light sleeper. You’ll have some extra hair in your bed, so if you have allergies, that can exacerbate them."

The feeling may be mutual. As natural as it is for a dog to want to sleep next to you, it's just as normal for them to prefer that dog bed you spent hours considering. "Many dogs don’t prefer to sleep in their owners’ beds, and that’s normal too," Askeland says. 

Next: The #1 Sign Your Dog Is Stressed, According to Experts

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