Pawjama party with your pet — or not? About half of dogs sleep with their human parents while almost two thirds of cats do. Ultimately, the choice is personal and influenced by a number of factors. These include human beliefs about the pet’s place in the human family and hygiene concerns. The good news is, there’s no correct answer.
Of course, the mutual goal is a sound night’s sleep. Human’s can string together an astounding number of bad decisions when sleep-deprived. Furry companions can become cranky and sloth like.
Following are some benefits of sharing a bed with a furry pawrtner:
Connection. For many humans and pets their inter-species other is a touchstone, confirmation that all is right with the world. Even the lightest physical touch can dissolve stress and forge a deeper bond. The rhythmic breathing of a bed mate is enough to lull many to dreamland.
Happiness. Sharing a bed means that humans and pets can share endearing looks at close range. Such mutual gazing releases large amounts of oxytocin, one of the brain’s “happy” hormones. People and pets become more affectionate.
Vigilance. More so than humans, pets can be light sleepers. Their olfactory sense and hearing acuity is greater that their human parents. This can be life saving in the event of a fire or home invasion. Sleeping in close proximity increases the chances of being able to evacuate (or hide) quickly and safely as a family.
There are some potential drawbacks:
Discomfort. Some pets love to sprawl perpendicular to their humans, pushing them to the outer limits of the bed. Unless one is of smaller stature or has a king-sized bed, one may find oneself assuming a myriad of circus contortions during the night. Smaller pets are at risk of being inadvertently crushed by larger pet parents rolling over during sleep. Allergies can drive a wedge of sleeplessness between human and companion animal.
Hygiene. A pet’s normal exposure to the elements and outdoors generally don’t present overt health hazards to healthy persons. However, immunocompromised pet parents are at higher risk, especially with dogs who may pick up a host of bacterial bling by rolling in public grass. Wipe a dog down with soap and warm water immediately before inviting them into bed.
Agitation. A hyper-vigilant pet may fuss, pace about in bed or make sounds that can be disruptive to sleep.
Dominance. While the act of sharing a bed with a companion does NOT in itself foster dominance in a pet, it can exacerbate signs of it. Deferring to a vocal pet staking their territory between the sheets can set a bad behavioral precedent. Proper training and/or alternative sleeping arrangements should be made.
A few pets chose to sleep solo. This in no way indicates how much they love us. Some simply enjoy the containment of a “den.” Others prefer their own bed. Whatever the reason, we should respect their boundaries as we would those of any human.
Such respect allows love to emerge in ways we may not expect.