Pets are often considered members of the family, and many pet owners consider their pets to be trusted bedroom buddies. However, some people may have reservations about allowing their companion animals to bed with them. This article will go over the pros and cons of allowing your pet to bed with you, as well as tips for ensuring it’s a safe and comfortable experience for both you and your furry friend.
We, humans, are a bit particular about the types of places we like to sleep. However, most of us also enjoy the company of our pets – or at least the idea of them being nearby while we’re sleeping. So what’s the right balance? Let’s take a look. In this post, you will learn whether it is okay to allow your pet in your bed, as well as other potential areas of concern when it comes to sharing space with your pet.
Benefits of Having a Pet in Bed
There are many benefits to having a pet, whether it’s a small dog that loves cuddles or a large cat that likes to lounge on top of cabinets and occasionally drop down unannounced. They offer companionship, help fight stress, reduce loneliness, and can even increase your lifespan. For those who suffer from anxiety or depression, pet therapy is a popular treatment option that can often be as effective as medication. Having a pet in the bedroom can help boost serotonin levels and calm down nerves -they also provide unconditional love that can help with healing after a traumatic event. Pets are also known to improve your sleep quality and reduce insomnia because of the soothing noises they make (especially if it’s a small dog or cat). They also tend to be warm and have a thermal regulation that keeps you warm when the weather is cold and cool when it’s hot.
The Cons of Having a Pet in Bed
Like everything in life, some drawbacks come with having a pet in bed with you, especially if they are a larger breed. Some of these include the following:
– To keep allergens down, bedding should be washed regularly.
– Some people may not be comfortable with their pets in bed because they like to keep a certain level of personal space.
– Pets may disrupt your sleep by moving around too much, whining, or getting up to go to the bathroom.
– Certain pets may shed a lot and cause hair to collect on the bedsheets and pillows.
– Some dogs may try to take over the bed and push you to the edge of the mattress.
– Certain pets, such as large cats or dogs, maybe too heavy for some to tolerate sleeping with them.
Tips for Safe Bed Sharing
Choose the right bedding. Washing bed sheets frequently and using a mattress protector can help reduce allergies and improve the quality of your sleep.
– Choose the right pet. If you have allergies or are worried about sleeping with a pet, you don’t have to choose a dog or cat
-there are other options such as rodents, reptiles, and small birds.
– Teach your pet to stay off the bed when you’re not there. This may seem silly, but teaching your pet to stay off the bed can help reduce the amount of shed hair and other allergens they bring into the bedroom.
– Make sure your pet is healthy enough to bring into bed. Senior pets and those with joint pain, breathing issues, or frequent/long coughing/meowing should not be in the bed due to added weight and pressure.
– Make sure you have enough space to sleep comfortably. If you’re a very tall or wide person, bringing a large pet into bed may result in you waking up with a cricked neck or sore joints.
– If it doesn’t feel comfortable, don’t bring your pet into bed. No one should feel pressured or forced to bring an animal into their bed if they don’t want to do so.
– Ensure your pet has its bed if you have a larger breed.
– Consider bringing your pet into the room with a door that is closed.
Conclusion
Having a pet in bed can bring many benefits such as reduced anxiety, increased serotonin levels, and improved sleep. However, there are some drawbacks, such as allergy issues and disruption of sleep. Most people who own pets and are comfortable with the health of their pets will find that bringing them into bed is a fun and enjoyable experience that brings a lot of benefits. However, it’s important to ensure that the bedding is cleaned frequently to prevent allergies and that the pet is healthy enough and properly trained not to disrupt your sleep. If you’re interested in bringing a pet into bed with you, make sure that they are the right size and that you have enough room to sleep comfortably.
