Lovers of our dear little (or big) furry beasts, this article will particularly interest you. Pets, especially dogs and cats, hold a very important place in French households, just like in the rest of the world.
Pet owners will tell you, there are many moments rich in emotions provided by these companions with sometimes strong personalities. Cuddly moments, fits of laughter, playtime, and other moments of domestic accidents or disasters of all kinds are part of a daily life that is often... lively! However, there is a very particular moment that has been the subject of debate for a few years, a calmer, nighttime moment, synonymous with rest and tranquility. Do you have it? Yes, it is about sleeping with pets!
Indeed, there are relatively many dog and cat owners who 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 team at Sleep Hackademy has looked into this "beastly" question which, as you will see, is far from being settled.
So, are you team "Sleep with pets" or rather team "No pets for sleep"? Here are some elements of response to help you choose your side!
What are the advantages of sleeping with your dog or cat?
For a few years now, the enthusiasm for pets has not waned, quite the opposite. In France, for example, there are no less 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 owners 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?
The purring therapy is pure happiness!
Ah, our dear felines. A symbol of protection and revered animals of ancient Egypt, cats have since retained a certain pride that, admittedly, sometimes borders on arrogance (owners will confirm!), but the benefits they provide to "their" humans more than compensate for their sometimes... difficult character, shall we say. It is well known, the cat owns its human, but sleeping with this little ball of fur has several advantages:
- it is scientifically proven, sleeping with your cat reduces the risk of heart disease by 30%!
- the purring of the cat is soothing and reduces anxiety: hearing it leads to the production of serotonin, which promotes falling asleep
- the frequency of cat purrs, between 25 and 150 Hertz, causes vibrations that reduce rheumatism and help maintain good bone health for the person who is regularly exposed to it (info to shine in society: the cat can heal itself thanks to its own purring, especially in case of injury or bone fracture!)
- historically, cats are credited with the power to "absorb" the bad vibes of humans: this remains difficult to demonstrate scientifically, however studies and testimonies have shed light on the feeling of well-being experienced by cat owners, especially following health problems
Good for the heart, soothing for the mind, and altruistically providing purring therapy, Felix the cat and all his fellows bring certain benefits, both mentally and physically, and thus transform, when night falls, into the chosen cuddly toy that promotes sleep and preserves the health of their humans.
The best friend of Man, guardian of your night's sleep
You love him to death, and for good reason, the dog is undoubtedly the most loyal companion of human beings. The dog loves its master with unconditional love, and perhaps that is why its nighttime presence is so beneficial:
- sleeping with your dog provides a sense of tranquility and reduces stress
- people sleeping with their dogs feel "reassured" and benefit from better quality sleep, according to an American study
- petting your dog may increase oxytocin levels (the happiness hormone)
- for the chilly ones, the dog can warm its master's feet by acting as a "furry hot water bottle"! (be careful with the dog's size: a Saint Bernard could crush your feet unintentionally, while using a Chihuahua, for example, would be less risky, you get the idea!)
<><Watch out for the big, very intrusive dog at bedtime!
This may sound obvious, but yes, the presence of Milou and his kind is reassuring for their masters, especially at night. The dog can improve its owner's sleep quality, simply by being present.
Canine love or healing feline purring therapy, it is clear that team "Sleep with pets" is scoring points. However, there are realities that remind pet owners of good memories and should not be ignored, otherwise some unpleasant surprises could manifest during the night or upon waking...
What are the disadvantages of sleeping with your dog or cat?
Team "No pets for sleep" can rub its hands together, there are indeed disadvantages, even precautions to take when one wishes to sleep with their pet.
<><Biological clocks are not always synchronized between the cat and its human!
Yes, much to the chagrin of some, a pet remains an animal, and it is not necessarily natural for it to sleep with its owner, especially in the same bed. Biological clocks do not always align, physiological needs and hygiene do not either, nor does the animal's character, so here are the disadvantages and recommendations to consider when sleeping with your cat or dog:
- Risks of disease transmission (through licking, kissing, or fleas): zoonosis, cat scratch fever, meningitis, otitis, sinusitis, septicemia (especially in asplenic individuals), or staphylococcal infection
- excessive protective behavior of the dog: it can develop or amplify by allowing the dog to sleep on the bed, with some canines even going so far as to push the owner's partner out of bed!
- the presence of the dog or cat on the bed can be disturbing when it moves during the night: several studies have shown that the mere presence of the animal in the room did not affect sleep quality, but people who slept with their dog or cat in bed could be awakened by its movements
- it is not recommended for asthmatic individuals or those suffering from allergies to sleep with their pet
- loss of intimacy: the presence of the pet can be disturbing, or make romantic cuddling complicated... or even impossible! (this time, please do not visualize the scene!)
There are therefore some contraindications to sleeping with your dog or cat. As you may have noticed (because... it's written in the title), we have not addressed pets in general, but have limited ourselves to dogs and cats. However, it is highly likely that it is with the latter that it is the most "easy" and pleasant to sleep. Indeed, sleeping with a bird, a dwarf rabbit, a Vietnamese pig, a snake, or a ferret would seem much more complicated, wouldn't you agree? If you doubt it, visualize the scene well!
It must be acknowledged that there are serious arguments to credit both "teams" that clash 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, while on the other side, team "No pets for sleep" can present the risks of disease transmission when sleeping with your cat or dog. Each will act according to their convictions or desires.
The team Sleep Hackademy has some hacking tips that may help (or reassure) you, the "pet lovers," if you wish to sleep with Felix and Milou (or if you already do):
- Dogs and cats should be regularly dewormed
- Treat dogs and cats for parasites (fleas, ticks...)
- Avoid being licked or receiving kisses as much as possible (it's affectionate, but potentially risky and unhygienic)
- In anticipation of a romantic cuddle, leave your companion (the animal, not your sweetheart, okay!) outside the room and close the door
Sources:
[1] and [2] Les Français et les animaux de compagnie: faits et chiffres, site "Statista", 2021 [3] Cat ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases, Adnan I Qureshi, Muhammad Zeeshan Memon et al, "Journal of Vascular and Interventionnal 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, site "Mayo Clinic", October 2015 [7] The Effect of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment, Salma I. Patel, Bernie W. Miller et al, site "Mayo Clinic", September 2017
What are the advantages of sleeping with your dog or cat?
For a few years now, the enthusiasm for pets has not waned, quite the opposite. In France, for example, there are no less 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 owners 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?
The purring therapy is pure happiness!
Ah, our dear felines. A symbol of protection and revered animals of ancient Egypt, cats have since retained a certain pride that, admittedly, sometimes borders on arrogance (owners will confirm!), but the benefits they provide to "their" humans more than compensate for their sometimes... difficult character, shall we say. It is well known, the cat owns its human, but sleeping with this little ball of fur has several advantages:
- it is scientifically proven, sleeping with your cat reduces the risk of heart disease by 30%!
- the purring of the cat is soothing and reduces anxiety: hearing it leads to the production of serotonin, which promotes falling asleep
- the frequency of cat purrs, between 25 and 150 Hertz, causes vibrations that reduce rheumatism and help maintain good bone health for the person who is regularly exposed to it (info to shine in society: the cat can heal itself thanks to its own purring, especially in case of injury or bone fracture!)
- historically, cats are credited with the power to "absorb" the bad vibes of humans: this remains difficult to demonstrate scientifically, however studies and testimonies have shed light on the feeling of well-being experienced by cat owners, especially following health problems
Good for the heart, soothing for the mind, and altruistically providing purring therapy, Felix the cat and all his fellows bring certain benefits, both mentally and physically, and thus transform, when night falls, into the chosen cuddly toy that promotes sleep and preserves the health of their humans.
The best friend of Man, guardian of your night's sleep
You love him to death, and for good reason, the dog is undoubtedly the most loyal companion of human beings. The dog loves its master with unconditional love, and perhaps that is why its nighttime presence is so beneficial:
- sleeping with your dog provides a sense of tranquility and reduces stress
- people sleeping with their dogs feel "reassured" and benefit from better quality sleep, according to an American study
- petting your dog may increase oxytocin levels (the happiness hormone)
- for the chilly ones, the dog can warm its master's feet by acting as a "furry hot water bottle"! (be careful with the dog's size: a Saint Bernard could crush your feet unintentionally, while using a Chihuahua, for example, would be less risky, you get the idea!)
<><Watch out for the big, very intrusive dog at bedtime!
This may sound obvious, but yes, the presence of Milou and his kind is reassuring for their masters, especially at night. The dog can improve its owner's sleep quality, simply by being present.
Canine love or healing feline purring therapy, it is clear that team "Sleep with pets" is scoring points. However, there are realities that remind pet owners of good memories and should not be ignored, otherwise some unpleasant surprises could manifest during the night or upon waking...
What are the disadvantages of sleeping with your dog or cat?
Team "No pets for sleep" can rub its hands together, there are indeed disadvantages, even precautions to take when one wishes to sleep with their pet.
<><Biological clocks are not always synchronized between the cat and its human!
Yes, much to the chagrin of some, a pet remains an animal, and it is not necessarily natural for it to sleep with its owner, especially in the same bed. Biological clocks do not always align, physiological needs and hygiene do not either, nor does the animal's character, so here are the disadvantages and recommendations to consider when sleeping with your cat or dog:
- Risks of disease transmission (through licking, kissing, or fleas): zoonosis, cat scratch fever, meningitis, otitis, sinusitis, septicemia (especially in asplenic individuals), or staphylococcal infection
- excessive protective behavior of the dog: it can develop or amplify by allowing the dog to sleep on the bed, with some canines even going so far as to push the owner's partner out of bed!
- the presence of the dog or cat on the bed can be disturbing when it moves during the night: several studies have shown that the mere presence of the animal in the room did not affect sleep quality, but people who slept with their dog or cat in bed could be awakened by its movements
- it is not recommended for asthmatic individuals or those suffering from allergies to sleep with their pet
- loss of intimacy: the presence of the pet can be disturbing, or make romantic cuddling complicated... or even impossible! (this time, please do not visualize the scene!)
There are therefore some contraindications to sleeping with your dog or cat. As you may have noticed (because... it's written in the title), we have not addressed pets in general, but have limited ourselves to dogs and cats. However, it is highly likely that it is with the latter that it is the most "easy" and pleasant to sleep. Indeed, sleeping with a bird, a dwarf rabbit, a Vietnamese pig, a snake, or a ferret would seem much more complicated, wouldn't you agree? If you doubt it, visualize the scene well!
It must be acknowledged that there are serious arguments to credit both "teams" that clash 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, while on the other side, team "No pets for sleep" can present the risks of disease transmission when sleeping with your cat or dog. Each will act according to their convictions or desires.
The team Sleep Hackademy has some hacking tips that may help (or reassure) you, the "pet lovers," if you wish to sleep with Felix and Milou (or if you already do):
- Dogs and cats should be regularly dewormed
- Treat dogs and cats for parasites (fleas, ticks...)
- Avoid being licked or receiving kisses as much as possible (it's affectionate, but potentially risky and unhygienic)
- In anticipation of a romantic cuddle, leave your companion (the animal, not your sweetheart, okay!) outside the room and close the door
Sources:
[1] and [2] Les Français et les animaux de compagnie: faits et chiffres, site "Statista", 2021 [3] Cat ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases, Adnan I Qureshi, Muhammad Zeeshan Memon et al, "Journal of Vascular and Interventionnal 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, site "Mayo Clinic", October 2015 [7] The Effect of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment, Salma I. Patel, Bernie W. Miller et al, site "Mayo Clinic", September 2017
