Should Your Pet Sleep in Bed?

Should Your Pet Sleep in Bed with You?

               Temperatures have dropped and winter has finally taken hold of South-Central Pennsylvania. Wouldn’t it be nice to snuggle in bed with your cat and dog for a long winter’s nap?  Turns out, sleeping with your pet in your bed may not be the best idea.

               Nearly half of pet owners allow their dogs and cats to share their beds.  But this may make for a poor night’s sleep with many interruptions.  Pets are sometimes restless or may take up a lot of space in the bed preventing their humans from finding a comfortable position.  And, if you are allergic to pet dander, keeping pets out of the bedroom is strongly recommended to give your sinuses a rest.  Serious diseases are not a major concern if you are sharing your bed with your pet, but, if he or she has fleas, the larvae can infest bedding so, protecting your dog or cat with a good flea and tick preventative is a must.  If your pet has fleas, keeping him or her out of bed until he or she is flea-free is best.

               Other studies show having your pet sleep in your room (though maybe in her own bed instead of sharing yours!) may actually help you sleep better by giving a sense of comfort and security.  And if you are used to having your pet under the covers with you and aren’t losing sleep as a result, go ahead and bunk down with your favorite fur baby!

                Whether or not to allow your pets to sleep in bed with you is a personal choice and seems to be a hotly debated subject.  Just make sure if you do allow your pets to sleep with you or with children that they are not disrupting your sleep.  Everyone deserves to be well rested! 

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.