Co-Sleeping With Your Pet

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Adding a dog to your family can, most of the time, be boiled down to one underlying desire: lots and lots of cuddles! Sure, most of us plan and then make a calculated decision, but there is an emotional drive sometimes to having the comfort of snuggling up on the sofa or in bed at night with our fur babies.

Still, others cannot fathom allowing a pet in your bed -- no matter how much he or she has come to be a beloved member of the family. 

 A soothing companion that helps you sleep better at night? Or a dirty, germy intruder tracking all the remnants of the day’s adventure into your sacred sleep space?

 

Let’s look into the pros and cons of co-sleeping with your pet!

 

Pros:

●      Reduces Depression & Loneliness

●     Promotes Theta Brainwaves – Studies have shown that sleeping with your dog releases oxytone, impacting how deep you sleep. This stimulates theta brainwaves which are known to exist in REM sleep.

●     Enhances the bond with your dog

●     Reduces allergies that may occur later in life – studies have shown that children who sleep with their dogs are less likely to develop allergies; early exposure

 

Cons:

●      They can be bed hogs- while cuddling with them can be relaxing if they take up space and disrupt your comfort level, that could also mean a disruption in your sleep.

●     Allergies – It may offer immunity for children, but for an adult with mild allergies, sleeping with your dog may cause them to flare up.

●     It’s a hard habit to break – once you start, it can be challenging to stop, resulting in behavioral issues with your pup.

●      Smell- the occasional smelly doggie is inevitable, which could cause your bedding also to smell bad.

  

We encourage all dog lovers in however way they choose to express it. Weighing out the pros and cons is always essential. Most dogs love cuddle time, so even if they are not allowed to sleep in your bed, there are other ways to do a lot for that time during the day, like while you’re watching a movie or reading a book. These moments can be healthy and therapeutic for both you and your pet.

Tina Clark