Should you let your pets sleep on the bed? Experts say it’s not that simple
Experts give verdict on whether pets should sleep on the bed
- Many pet owners allow their animals to sleep with them, which often leads to sleep disruption, though many say the companionship is worth it.
- Melissa Milanak, a sleep health professor, notes that most of her patients report their pets frequently disturb them at night, negatively impacting their sleep.
- Dogs' and cats' natural sleep cycles differ from humans; dogs are light sleepers and cats are active at dusk and dawn, potentially disrupting owners' sleep.
- Brian Chin's research found sleeping with pets was associated with poor sleep quality and insomnia symptoms, even when accounting for owners' reluctance to blame their pets.
- Solutions include putting a pet bed on the floor, locking the pet out of the room, washing sheets more frequently, or adjusting sleep schedules to match the pet's routine, though many owners feel the emotional benefits outweigh the sleep disruption.