Lovers of our dear little (or big) furry friends, this article will interest you especially. Pets, particularly dogs and cats, hold a very important place in French households, just as in the rest of the world.
Pet owners will tell you, there are many moments full of emotions provided by these companions with sometimes strong personalities. Cuddle moments, bursts of laughter, play periods, and other moments of domestic accidents or various disasters are part of a daily life often… lively! However, there is a very particular moment that has been the subject of debate for a few years, a calmer, nocturnal moment, synonymous with rest and tranquility. Got it? Yes, this is about sleeping with pets!
Indeed, quite a few dog and cat owners sleep with their animal, whether in the same room or even in the same bed! Total fusion with their little ball of fur, irresistible need for affection, or simply a bad habit, are there risks to sleeping with your pet? Is it healthy to sleep with your cat or dog? The Sleep Hackademy team has looked into this “beastly” question which, as you will see, is far from settled.
So, are you team “Sleep with pets” or rather team “No pets for sleep”? Here are some points to help you choose your side!
What are the advantages of sleeping with your dog or cat?
In recent years, enthusiasm for pets has not waned, quite the opposite. In France1, for example, there are no fewer than 7.6 million dogs and more than 14 million felines, and it is estimated that almost one in two French people is the happy owner of a pet. From there, we better understand the legitimacy and usefulness of questioning the effects that the company of dogs or cats has on humans, especially in the context of sleep.
In general, 91% of French pet owners2 believe that their pet brings them comfort. Hard to do better, you will agree! But as for you, dear night rebels, what are the advantages of sleeping with your cat or dog?
Purr therapy is pure happiness!
Ah, our dear felines. Symbol of protection and revered animals of ancient Egypt, cats have since kept a certain pride which, admittedly, sometimes borders on arrogance (owners will confirm!), but the benefits they provide to “their” humans more than compensate for their sometimes… difficult character, let’s say. It is well known, the cat owns its human, but sleeping with this little ball of fur has some advantages:
- it is scientifically proven3, sleeping with your cat reduces the risk of heart disease by 30%!
- the cat’s purring is soothing and reduces anxiety: hearing it triggers serotonin production, which promotes falling asleep
- the frequency of cat purrs, between 25 and 150 Hertz, causes vibrations4 that reduce rheumatism and help maintain good bone health for the person regularly exposed to it (fun fact for socializing: the cat can heal itself thanks to its own purring, especially in case of injury or bone fracture!)
- historically, cats are believed to have the power to “absorb” bad vibes from humans: this remains difficult to scientifically prove, however studies and testimonials5 have highlighted the feeling of well-being experienced by cat owners, especially following health problems
Good for the heart, soothing for the mind, and generously providing purr therapy, Felix the cat and all his kind bring certain benefits, both mentally and physically, and thus transform, when night falls, into a favorite cuddly toy helping to promote sleep and preserve the health of their humans.
Man’s best friend, guardian of your night’s sleep
You love him to death, and for good reason, the dog is probably the most faithful companion of the human being. The dog loves its master with unconditional love, and maybe that’s why its nocturnal presence is so beneficial:
- sleeping with your dog provides a feeling of tranquility and reduces stress
- people sleeping with their dogs feel “reassured” and benefit from better quality sleep, according to an American study6
- petting your dog would increase oxytocin levels (the well-being hormone)
- for those who get cold easily, the dog can warm its owner’s feet by acting as a “furry hot water bottle”! (be careful with the dog’s size though: a Saint Bernard could accidentally crush your feet, whereas using a Chihuahua, for example, would be less risky, you get the idea!)
<>Beware of the very intrusive big dog at bedtime!
It may seem obvious but yes, the presence of Milou and his kind is reassuring for their owners, especially at night. The dog can improve its owner’s sleep quality just by being there.
Reassuring canine love or healing feline purr therapy, it is clear that team “Sleep with pets” scores points. However, there are realities that remind pet owners and should not be ignored, otherwise some unpleasant surprises could occur during the night or upon waking…
What are the disadvantages of sleeping with your dog or cat?
Team “No pets for sleep” can rejoice, there are indeed disadvantages, even precautions to take when you want to sleep with your pet.
<>Biological clocks are not always synchronized between the cat and its human!
Yes, much to some people’s dismay, a pet remains an animal, and it is not necessarily natural for it to sleep with its owner, even more so in the same bed. Biological clocks do not always match, physiological needs and hygiene neither, same goes for the animal’s character, so here are the disadvantages and recommendations to consider when sleeping with your cat or dog:
- Risk of disease transmission (by licking, kissing, or fleas): zoonosis, cat scratch disease, meningitis, ear infections, sinusitis, septicemia (especially in asplenic people), or staphylococcal infection
- excessive protective behavior of the dog: it can develop or worsen by letting the dog sleep on the bed, some dogs even pushing the owner’s partner out of the bed!
- the presence of the dog or cat on the bed can be disturbing when it moves during the night: several studies7 have shown that the mere presence of the animal in the room does not affect sleep quality but people sleeping with their dog or cat in the bed can be awakened by its movements
- it is not recommended for asthmatic people or those with allergies to sleep with their pet
- loss of privacy: the presence of the pet can be disturbing or make romantic cuddling complicated… even impossible! (this time, please don’t visualize the scene!)
So there are some contraindications to sleeping with your dog or cat. As you may have noticed (because... it’s in the title), we have not addressed pets in general, but limited ourselves to dogs and cats. However, it is very likely that it is with these that it is the “easiest” and most pleasant to sleep. Indeed, sleeping with a bird, a dwarf rabbit, a Vietnamese pig, a snake, or a ferret would seem much more complicated, don’t you think? If you doubt it, picture the scene well!
It is clear that serious arguments can be credited to both "teams" that face off on this subject. On one side, team “Sleep with pets” can highlight the psychological, emotional, and cardiovascular benefits of sleeping with your dog or cat, on the other side team “No pets for sleep” can point out the risks of disease transmission when sleeping with your cat or dog. Everyone will act according to their beliefs or desires.
The Sleep Hackademy team has some hacking tips that can help (or reassure) you, the “pets lovers”, if you want to sleep with Felix and Milou (or if you already do):
- Dogs and cats must be regularly dewormed
- Treat dogs and cats against parasites (fleas, ticks…)
- Avoid as much as possible being licked or receiving kisses (it’s affectionate, but potentially risky and unhygienic)
- Before a romantic cuddle, leave your companion (the animal, not your sweetheart, huh!) outside the bedroom and close the door
Sources :
[1] and [2] The French and pets: facts and figures, "Statista" website, 2021 [3] Cat ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases, Adnan I Qureshi, Muhammad Zeeshan Memon et al, "Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology", January 2009 [4] and [5] There is magic in that purr, Dr. Jim Sanderson, site "Wildlife Conservation Network", December 2012 [6] Are Pets in the Bedroom a Problem?, Lois E. Krahn, Diane Tovar et al, "Mayo Clinic" website, October 2015 [7] The Effect of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment, Salma I. Patel, Bernie W. Miller et al, "Mayo Clinic" website, September 2017