Do you allow your dog to sleep in your bed at night? If so, you are not alone. Research has shown that almost one-half of all pet owners share their bed or bedroom with their pet. The other half, however, aren’t so open to the idea.
For centuries, dog owners have been spilt on this issue with those who don’t mind, and those who are opposed to the idea— and depending on who you speak to, the pros can outweigh the cons, and vice versa.
Well, if you’ve ever felt like you’ve been judged by your family or friends for allowing your furry friend to share your bed, then we have good news for you.
A recent study found that sleeping with a dog in your bed is actually good for your health. In fact, it’s better than sharing a bed with a human.
According to the research conducted by Christy L. Hoffman, from Canisius College in New York, the sleeping patterns of dogs closely mirror those of humans.
Hoffman surveyed 962 women in America, asking them all about their sleeping habits. Her findings showed that 57 percent of the women shared their bed with another human, 55 percent with a dog and 31 percent slept with a cat on their bed.
And based on her research, those who slept next to their pup were likely to have a better night's sleep.
The study also determined that those who share a bed with their dog were more likely to have an easier time waking up early.
According to Hoffman, "compared with human bed partners, dogs who slept in the owner's bed were perceived to disturb sleep less and were associated with stronger feelings of comfort and security."
As for cats, well that’s a different story…
The study shows that cats are just as disruptive in bed as human partners and are often “associated with weaker feelings of comfort and security than both humans and dog bed partners."
