According to the America Pet Products Association (APPA), about 50% of pet owners allow their pets to sleep with them.
Many dog lovers in particular sleep with their canines and they believe there are some benefits of doing that.
However, some people believe that to sleep with a dog poses some health challenges.
To clear this confusion up, the following discussion outlines the pros and cons of sleeping with your dog in bed every night.
Pros Of Sleeping With A Dog
A dog is man's best friend so by sharing a bed; the two will be just strengthening their bond. A dog wants to be close to his human companion, so there may be nothing wrong in allowing him in your bed.
Sleeping With A Dog Helps Fight Insomnia
The presence of your pet in bed helps promote a feeling of safety, and it also helps you to relieve stress. A dog gives you calmness, and it can remove all the things that can impact on your quality sleep at night. Many people fail to rest at night because they lack peace of mind.
On top of that, you need to get the best mattress that can help you get quality sleep. For example, the new Nest hybrid mattress is a great choice.
Dogs Are Warm
Dogs are warm, and they can provide the warmth that we need when it is cold. For instance, a dog's body temperature is about three to four degrees warmer than ours. A dog acts like a portable warmer that offers you the comfort you need when it is cold. Biting weather can affect your sleep in various ways.
A Dog Offers You Safety
There is nothing so comforting as sleeping knowing that you are safe. A dog's primary role is to offer his human companion the security he needs always. A canine has enhanced hearing so when it is around; then you know that you are safe. The feeling of having something closer to you at night is good since you can enjoy peace of mind.
Dogs Help You Fight Depression
One thing for real is that dog companions offer us, unconditional love. When you are fighting things like depression, then your dog will surely be your best companion. The only thing that can soothe you is a feeling of affection, and a canine can help you get that. Depression can be a result of lack of company, and it can negatively affect your mental and physical health.
Disadvantages of Sleeping With Your Dog
There are also certain disadvantages to sleeping with your dog. Some of these factors can affect your sleep patterns.
A Dog Can Disturb Your Sleep
Dogs have different sleeping patterns compared to ours. A dog can wake up after every few hours, and this can affect your resting. Its movement in bed can be a cause for concern since it can keep you awake.
Some dogs enjoy things like licking as well as scratching and these sounds can be irritating. Also, their collar with the dog tags can make noise as they move around during the night and cause you to wake-up.
As a result, you could end up experiencing tiredness and daytime fatigue due to sleep deprivation.
In other words, the love for your dog can cause undesirable elements that can affect your mental health in the long run. Sleep deprivation can lead to other aspects like depression as well as lack of concentration. All these factors can affect your performance in various activities.
Dogs Can Cause Asthma And Allergies
One thing that you should know is that all dogs carry allergens. Your dog is exposed to a variety of allergens that include dust as well as pollen that attract to its fur. If you have a specific allergy or you are asthmatic, the presence of a dog in your blankets can worsen the condition.
No matter how hard you may try to clean your dog, you cannot remove all particles that can cause allergies. The other thing that you should know is that dog fur is difficult to remove from bed linen. You need a special vacuum cleaner to clean your bed.
A Dog Can Deprive You Time With Your Partner
When bedtime comes, you need time with your partner so that the presence of a dog may not affect you. Typically, married couples should reserve bedtime for things like sex and sleeping alone. A canine in your bed can deprive you the quality time that you should enjoy with your partner.
You should also be careful to try and balance your sleep time and avoid night disturbances. You can show your dog love by sleeping with it but do not sideline your partner.
Dog Messes Around
It might be challenging to train your dog to use the bathroom like what humans do. Therefore, the chances of a pet having an accident around the house are high. Cleaning dog poop and urine is not an easy feat, and it is no fun. When it messes the bed, you need to steam clean it, and this is not an easy task.
It might also be difficult to switch the dog to another place once it is used to sleeping in bed with you. When the canine enjoys the comfort of sleeping in bed, it might be challenging to change its behavior.
Therefore, you need to be careful and teach your dog things that will not disappoint you. As they say, you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Another option is keeping the dog bed right next to your bed, so you are still together in the same room.
The debate of whether to sleep with your dog or not in your bed has different connotations as you can see. The issue is a matter of health conditions as well as personal preferences.
Some people believe that sleeping with their canines brings certain benefits while others are concerned about health matters. If you know that you have a specific condition, then it is good to avoid sleeping with your dog no matter how much you love him.
It is also vital that you discuss with your partner about the issue of taking your dog to bed. Do not let not your canine spoil your relationship with your partner.
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