Do you cuddle up with your pet at night? If so, you make up 56% of people who report sleeping with their furry friend. Polysleep has taken a deep dive into the ‘paw-sitive’ impacts that sleeping with your pet has on your overall health and sleep quality.
The ‘paw-sitive’ impacts of sleeping with your pet
Research shows there are multiple benefits to sleeping with your pet, including:
1. Better sleep quality
Believe it or not, snuggling up with your puppy pal at night can be really good for you and your sleep! As it turns out, your pet can help relieve insomnia by alleviating things like anxiety, hyperarousal and hypervigilance.
One particular study demonstrated that humans who slept with a dog in their bedroom kept a better routine and were able to sleep better overall. In fact, the study found that there was a sleep efficiency score of 81% for the humans and 85% for the dogs. Cat owners who allow their feline friend to sleep in their bed also report that they wake up fewer times throughout the night and have an easier time falling asleep. They also have reduced feelings of restlessness and fatigue.
2. Comfort, security and companionship
Dogs are man's “best friend” for a reason: They’re extremely comforting and offer us companionship, safety and protection. But this isn’t just applicable for your dog, of course. Cats also offer companionship and help improve your mood simply by being around you. Overall, your furry friend helps ease your mind and promote tranquility.
3. Improved mental health
Our pets provide us with crucial emotional support and aid in regulating your emotions. Holding, petting, snuggling or sitting with your pet is enough to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by offering a distraction from overbearing thoughts.
There are similar benefits for individuals living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a study of veterans with PTSD service dogs, 57% said their dog helped ease their nightmares. Cats have also been used as therapy animals in medical settings to help patients recover physically, mentally and emotionally.
4. Improved physical health
Pets are great for your physical wellbeing and help you live longer by reducing your blood pressure and heart rate. Beyond helping your cardiovascular system, our four-legged friends can also help you develop a stronger immunity due to increased exposure to a diversity of microorganisms. This is especially true for children and infants. The earlier that your child is exposed to your pet, the less likely they are to develop allergies to them as well as dust mites, blue grass and ragweed.
5. Better habits
Pets help us build better habits by staying accountable and being responsible for our health as well as theirs. Dogs, for instance, get us out the door for multiple walks a day and cats give us a reason to get out of bed early in the morning to fill up their food and water bowl.
Tips for sleeping with your pet
There are multiple ways to help both you and your furry friend get the best possible sleep at night. Here are some suggestions:
Wash your bed routinely
Good hygiene is essential – especially when it comes to your bed. After all, you spend a minimum of 7 to 8 hours per day in it. You should wash your sheets and bedding regularly to prevent the spread of unwanted germs. As pet owners know, pets can make sheets get dirty more quickly. If your pet sleeps with you, you may want to wash your sheets pretty frequently – around every four or five days.
If you’d like to go the extra mile, Polysleep also has some helpful tips on how to remove cat or dog hair from a mattress.
Go to bed at the same time every night
Animals – like humans – have a circadian rhythm, like an ‘internal clock’, that runs 24/7. The circadian rhythm tells them when they feel tired and awake. Going to bed and waking up around the same time allows you and your pet to stay on similar sleep-wake cycles.
Have the right mattress size
Make sure your mattress is large enough for you, your partner and your pet. This will help reduce disturbances when moving around and switching positions throughout the night.
Polysleep can help!
Thankfully, Polysleep’s mattresses are designed with you and your fur baby in mind.
They come in all sizes — from Twin to California King. Discover our full line of premium sleep products .
Not a one-size-fits-all solution
It’s important to note that what works for one pet owner might not work for another. If you have allergies, for instance, it’s not a good idea to be exposed to your pet’s hair and dander at night. Also, if your pet takes up too much space in your bed or moves too much, this could cause too many sleep disturbances and is not recommended.
Polysleep Takeaway
86% of puppies prefer to sleep with their owners and as studies show, most of us prefer to sleep with our pets as well. That’s a great thing, as our furry companions offer us so many ‘paw-sitives’ including unparalleled comfort and security, emotional regulation and support, improved mental and physical health and better quality sleep.
To learn more about the benefits of sleeping with your pet, read Polysleep’s article, Should You Be Sleeping with Your Dog?
