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‘Social and emotional benefits’ of sleeping with your dog often outweigh risks, says pet behavior expert
Whether you allow your dog to sleep in bed with you is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer, but it’s a divisive topic.
Some people love snoozing with their pooch, while others are totally against it. One pet behaviorist’s take on the controversial debate might sway your decision.
Sleeping with your dog has ‘social and emotional benefits’
We spoke to Susan Nilson, a Cat and Dog Training and Behavior Specialist who founded The Cat and Dog House, to find out the pros and cons of letting your dog sleep in your bed.
“Any potential risks are far outweighed by the social and emotional benefits for many dog owners,” she told The Focus, including strengthening your bond, promoting a sense of calm and helping your pup feel secure.
“Studies show that positive physical interactions between humans and dogs increase oxytocin levels in both parties. Often called the ‘love’ or ‘bonding’ hormone, oxytocin enhances feelings of love, trust, and empathy towards others,” she explained.
“For this reason, co-sleeping can actively strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners,” Nilson continued – which makes co-sleeping a mutually beneficial experience.
Increased oxytocin levels promote a sense of calm and security while decreasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol. So, being near their owner helps the dog feel more safe and secure, reducing their stress levels and anxiety.
On top of that, sleeping together is what dogs like to do by nature. Canines are social sleepers who huddle together during the night and curl up to their mother and littermates as pups to seek “warmth, comfort, and security”.
So, what are the cons of sleeping with your dog?
The negatives of sleeping with your dog all relate to the human, not the pooch.
Dogs are active for around 20% of the night, moving around, changing position, or getting up to drink some water, which can be disturbing and reduce your sleep quality. You might get woken up by your dog twitching and squeaking in their sleep too.
Many pet owners also have hygiene concerns, with canines bringing mud, fur, slobber and other nasties into the bed. This could bring in harmful bacteria, although your bed sheets already contain 17,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat from your own skin.
Some dogs dig as a nesting behavior to create a comfortable and secure resting place, which could also result in torn sheets.
Ultimately, it’s your decision whether you sleep with your dog, and you should always do what is right for your household.
The American Kennel Club says for a well-adjusted and well-behaved dog, its “quite unlikely” that sleeping in your bed or bedroom will do anything except “delight your dog, comfort you, and enhance the dog-owner bond”.
However, if your pet is showing signs of aggression or behavior problems that are being made worse by co-sleeping, it may be time to provide them with their own sleeping space while you seek professional advice.
