Sharing your bed with your dog or cat does not necessarily have to be a nuisance. In fact, sleeping with your pet can be quite comforting.
According to a recent study conducted by Mayo Clinic, and published by Time Magazine, sleeping with your cat or dog could help improve your sleep. In the study, 40 adults with dogs wore a motion-tracking device for one week. The people involved in the study were asked several questions in regards to the quality of their sleep and where their canines were at night.
Astonishingly, letting the dog sleep on the bed didn’t cause anyone to miss out on their sleep quality. However, participants did wake up more. The study found that sleeping next to a human companion didn’t have as many interruptions as was the case when pets are involved. Individuals who had their canine friends sleeping in his or her dog bed inside their sleeping chambers maintained 83 percent sleep efficiency. This is the amount of time someone sleeps compared to how long they have been in bed. People who let their dogs lay on their bed had 80% efficiency.
If you really want your cat or dog to sleep with you, there are several things that you could do to make the experience more pleasant. The following tips make bed sharing with pets more comfortable.
Don’t Surrender Your Side of the Bed to Your Pet
No matter how tempting it is to sleep on your couch when your cat or dog is hogging the bed, do not do it. Always make sure that you redirect your pet to the bottom of your bed. If they prefer sleeping between you and your partner, that is okay. This is if you don’t mind being a bit crowded. If you love animals and don’t mind the extra affection and warmth, you will soon get used to it. You could use a loft bed and allow the dog sleep beneath you. It’s quite a good idea and offers the best of all worlds.
Identify a Spot On The Floor Where Your Pet Can Sleep
Make the spot as comfortable as possible using a blanket and thermal pet warming bed during the cold season. A cat house with a pet bed will provide your kitty with a place to go to as you sleep. Having pets inside your bedroom and in bed with you (as long as they are not on top of you) can be quite relaxing. It will help you feel safe and will satisfy your desire to nurture your beloved pet.
Training Will Take Time and Patience
Do not give up on the very first try!
If you are the type of person that enjoys snuggling with your car or dog, there are several ways to make sleeping in the same room possible. Apply the tips provided here to your situation and enjoy superior rest every night. If it proves difficult to do, encourage your pet to sleep in their own pet bed on your bedroom floor.
Feeling your dog snuggled up beside you or hearing your cat purr can be calming. In Time Magazine’s words, sleeping with your dog could be “conducive to sleep.” Determining whether or not to let your cat or dog on the bed or just in the room is a decision that only you can make. If spending quality time with pets is difficult due to professional or personal reasons, night time could be the only time you have to bond with your furry friend.
