6 Reasons Your Pet Shouldn’t Sleep in Your Bed — and 5 Reasons They Should

3. Poor sleep quality

If you have a dog or cat who sleeps soundly, it may not bother you to have pets in your bed. After all, around half of pet owners allow a pet (including cats, dogs and other animals) to sleep on their bed, according to Australian researchers. It’s hard to imagine this would be so commonplace if it disrupted sleep significantly. Still, a 2017 study from the Mayo Clinic on the effect of dogs on human sleep in the home found that, in general, sleeping with a dog in the bedroom did not hinder sleep, but having the dog on the bed did.

It’s worth noting, though, that Michael J. Breus, clinical sleep specialist and founder of The Sleep Doctor, finds most people tend to fall back asleep quickly, even if their pet wakes them with movement or snoring. Unless the sleeper complains, he doesn’t think of those disruptions as problems.

Although cats are usually smaller than their canine counterparts, some pet parents find them more disruptive to sleep, Stewart says. (Cats do, after all, tend to engage in more nocturnal activities than dogs.) In fact, in Stewart’s home, his family has had to keep their cat, Rosie, out of all their rooms thanks to her propensity for late-night kneading sessions and curling up directly over their faces.

4. Increase in asthma or allergies

Dog and cat allergies are common, affecting 10 to 20 percent of the global population. If you’re part of that group, contact with your pet might cause you to experience symptoms like coughing and sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes or even trouble breathing, especially if you have asthma. Since pet dander and saliva cling to fabric like bedding, having your dog or cat snuggling into your sheets can exacerbate your symptoms — even if your pet is not actually in your bed at the same time you are.

For people who have serious pet allergies, making the bed a no-go zone may be a wise move, but be aware that dander can remain in a home or room for a few months, even if the pet hasn’t set a paw inside.

5. It’s a romance blocker

Some couples bond over their love of cats and dogs, but that doesn’t mean having pets in the bedroom is ideal for their love life. “As for romantic relationships and intimacy, this can be an issue. Many animals do not understand what’s going on and may think some type of harm is being done and can get defensive,” Breus says.

What, precisely, sets them off is likely to vary from case to case, Stewart adds. Cats are unlikely to pay much mind to what you’re doing, he says, but “for some dogs, the motions and noises [of sexual intimacy] can be startling, confusing, and in some cases they may get aggressive.” 

A number of other factors may be at play as well. “Is this a new relationship? There could be a higher potential for issues if, for instance, the girlfriend had the dog for years, and now the boyfriend is moving in, entering the dog’s domain, taking over the bed when the dog is used to being there,” Stewart says.

If you have any concerns about your pets reacting to your romantic activities, redirect their attention: “Give them a toy and have them find another place to hang out for a while,” Stewart says.

6. Dirt and other germs

There’s no denying the fact that your dog walks — and possibly rolls around — in dirt outdoors, and your kitty pads through the litter box several times a day. Any dirt or germs on their feet and fur won’t magically disappear when it’s time to climb into bed, but they may rub right off on your comforter.

And there are other concerns, like the fact that urinary incontinence, especially in female dogs (but not cats), is common as they age, says Stewart. Medications can help with this issue, but it’s worth considering whether a pet in the bed is worth the risk of them wetting the bed.

The case for sleeping with your pet

Clearly, there are many good reasons to keep your pet out of your bed. And yet, millions of pet parents share the covers with their critters anyway, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In a 2022 survey, it found that nearly half of Americans (46 percent) sleep in the same bed with a pet at least sometimes. And despite comic stories about cats stepping on faces and giant dogs sleeping horizontally, less than one-fifth (19 percent) of those who sleep with a pet say their sleep suffers because of it. In fact, nearly half (46 percent) claim to sleep better.

“Many pet parents find comfort and relaxation in having their furry friends close during sleep,” says Shaina Denny, cofounder and CEO of Dogdrop, a provider of on-demand dog day care. “Having a pet in bed can provide a calming effect, as the rhythmic breathing … of the pet can create a soothing environment.”

Here are a few reasons it might be OK to let your animal stay the next time they jump on the bed at night.

1. Safety and security

If you find yourself feeling anxious at night over fires, break-ins and other potential threats, a pet in bed can act like a home security system — albeit much cuter.

“Pets generally have keen senses of smell and hearing. Having your pet right beside you may provide added security for older people with diminished hearing, as a pet may bark or become restless if they hear unusual sounds in the home or smell something unusual,” says George Melillo, cofounder and chief veterinary officer of Heart + Paw, a veterinary practice with 29 locations in 10 states.

A sense of security can be as comforting to people who live alone as it is to older adults, according to Stewart. “Having their dog close to them while they’re most vulnerable — asleep — helps some people sleep better,” he says.

2. Loneliness and depression

Pets have been shown to help with all manner of mental health challenges. In fact, interacting with them lowers the stress hormone cortisol and stimulates production of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, research shows.

For those who need the comfort, nighttime cuddles can only amplify the benefits, suggests holistic veterinarian Ambika Vaid, veterinarian adviser to pet food company Badlands Ranch. “Humans who suffer from depression or PTSD do very well mentally when sleeping with their pets. The pet provides comfort, safety and stability for a better night’s sleep,” she says.

If you’re lonely, sleeping beside a pet can be a comforting salve. “Some people are in a place in their life where they really don’t have anyone else; they’re either at the end of their life or have lost a companion,” Vaid continues. “Animals can become that companion, and sleeping with them reduces the feeling of loneliness that plagues people struggling with grief.”

3. Mornings might be better

There are two types of people in this world: night owls and early birds. If you’re the former, sleeping with a pet could help you finally make peace with mornings.

“Pets love their routines,” Vaid says. “They are very good at rustling, nudging or gently waking their owners up when it is time for their morning meal or walk. This often helps people get out of bed and stay on top of their routines.”

4. Staying warm

If you live in a cold climate or are just prone to chilly feet, sleeping side by side can keep both you and your pet warm. “Pets are natural sources of warmth, and sharing a bed can contribute to physical comfort, especially during colder seasons,” Denny says. “As someone with a miniature dachshund, I always have my dog sleep in my bed. She saves me from hefty heating bills in the winter.”

5. Pet well-being

Sleeping in your bed might be good for your pet, too, suggests Dwight Alleyne, a veterinarian expert on JustAnswer. Because human-pet relationships are “symbiotic,” he says, sleeping in your bed provides “the same benefits of reduced anxiety, increased security and less stress in pets as well.”

Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover, echoes that idea: “Many puppies love to sleep next to their siblings, so it’s no surprise that as they grow up, they also want to sleep in bed close to their human family members. Many dogs feel safe and comfortable while sleeping in the human bed with their human families.”

Also, consider the fact that dogs’ noses are intimately linked to the reward centers in their brains; when they smell their human, it makes them happy. “We sweat in our sleep and spend a lot of time [in bed],” Ellis notes. “Of everything in the house, the bed usually smells the most like us, and our pets, who are so scent oriented, love to be sleeping in an area that smells like us.”

Whether you’re for pets in bed or against them, there’s evidence to back you up. So, at the end of the day, it’s really a matter of personal preference. “Some people find they feel more protected and comfortable with their dog sleeping in bed, while others may find them distracting,” Ellis concludes. “There’s really no right answer — it’s whatever best suits your lifestyle.”