Sleeping With Your Dog? Experts Reveal the Surprising Effect on Your Sleep

Whether your pup curls up at your feet or snores on the pillow beside you, where your dog sleeps may matter more than you think. Researchers and experts have weighed in on the bedtime habit, and their findings might just change your nighttime routine.

Dogs are already known as man's best friend, and the numbers back it up. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 60 million American households own a dog this year, accounting for roughly half the nation.

The vast majority of those households consider their pups part of the family, and some owners even go as far as sharing their bedrooms with their furry companions. What many of them may not realize, however, is how this nighttime habit affects the quality of their rest.

A 2017 Mayo Clinic study revealed that the effects were largely positive. "Most people assume having pets in the bedroom is a disruption," said Lois Krahn, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist at the Center for Sleep Medicine on Mayo Clinic's Arizona campus and an author of the study.

"We found that many people actually find comfort and a sense of security from sleeping with their pets," Dr. Krahn added.

The study looked at the sleep of 40 healthy adults without sleep disorders, along with their dogs, over five months. Researchers equipped both the participants and their pets with activity trackers to monitor their sleeping habits for seven nights.

The findings showed that sleeping near dogs helps some people rest better, regardless of breed. There is one catch, however. Researchers discovered that the benefit comes from simply having your dog in the bedroom, not from sharing your bed.

In fact, according to the study, adults who cuddled up with their dogs under the covers actually got poorer-quality sleep. "The relationship between people and their pets has changed over time, which is likely why many people in fact do sleep with their pets in the bedroom," said Dr. Krahn.

Still, there are other perspectives to consider. According to Joseph M. Dzierzewski, Ph.D., vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation, whether a dog in the bed disturbs your sleep is a complicated question.

"We know that people who share their beds with their pets typically report good sleep quality, despite evidence to suggest that their sleep may actually be disrupted when measured with objective sleep tests," he explained.

He continued, "So we have a bit of a paradox: People who sleep with pets report good quality sleep even though their sleep may, in actuality, be a little disrupted."

So what makes snoozing beside your pooch so disruptive? Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club, explained that dogs are naturally light sleepers who stay tuned in to their surroundings even while they rest.

As a result, they tend to stir throughout the night in response to sounds or movement far more often than their owners do, which can take a toll on your own slumber.

Allergies are another factor worth weighing. Kanao Otsu, M.D., an allergist and immunologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, said that if you or your partner is allergic to your dog, the pet should probably not sleep in your bed or even your bedroom.

"Cats and dogs are the most common indoor allergens besides dust mites and cockroaches, and there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog or cat," Dr. Otsu said. She noted that a dog that doesn't shed is no exception.

"The allergens are in saliva and skin, and all dogs have skin and saliva," she explained. Sharing your bed with your pet means about eight straight hours of contact with these allergens. "That is a high allergen load," Dr. Otsu noted.

Denise Herman, founder and head dog trainer at Empire of the Dog in New York City, says that in general, if you don't suffer from allergies and there's plenty of room in the bed, there's no harm in cozying up with your dog at night if that's what you prefer.

That said, she believes a few ground rules apply. Herman recommends waiting until your dog is between nine and 12 months old before introducing them to your bed. Doing so too early could lead to some issues.

"Always invite them in after they pee and poop and not when they are in a rowdy stage," she said, adding that investing in a waterproof mattress cover is a smart way to protect your bed from bathroom mishaps.

According to Herman, your dog's temperament should also factor into the decision.

She explained that some dogs may become territorial over the bed and show signs of aggression to protect their sleeping spot. This could become a problem if, for example, you welcome a new baby or have a partner who occasionally joins you in bed.

At the end of the day, whether your dog snoozes beside you or in a cozy bed across the room comes down to your health, your space, and your pup's personality. As long as everyone, both two-legged and four-legged, is getting a good night's rest, there's no wrong answer.