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

Sharing a bed with furry friends may not be a good idea, except when it is

Matt Alderton,

Kristen Seymour,

AARP

Comments

En español

Published January 27, 2023

/ Updated February 14, 2024

a corgi and an orange cat sleeping on a bed

Getty Images

When Pam Lewis, 53, brought home Squeak, a tiny Chihuahua mix she rescued during the pandemic, she planned to have her sleep in her crate, like her previous dogs.

“I’ve always believed that a dog shouldn’t sleep in the bed,” she says. She never intended to make an exception for Squeak.

Then Squeak got a respiratory infection. “She was really miserable, really sick, and there was a night or two where I just wanted to make sure she was OK all night, so I put her in the bed,” says Lewis, who lives in Chicago.

Now Squeak cuddles up to Lewis in bed every night, and that’s a problem. “She wants to be right next to me or on me, and I’m not sleeping well,” Lewis says. “I’ve hit a threshold. We really need to get her back off the bed.”

The case against pets in the bed

This scenario isn’t uncommon, says Kwane Stewart, veterinarian and founder of Project Street Vet. In his more than 25 years of practice, he’s heard this story many times from clients — and he’s been in the same boat himself. He used to allow his dog in his bed, but over the years, good sleep has become harder to come by, and he now maintains a pet-free sleeping space.“There’s the pet’s health, and there’s your health,” Stewart says. “As much as you’re looking out for your pet’s health, you’re also looking out for yours.”

Here are some reasons why you may not want your pet to share your bed.

1. Possible injury

Jumping in and out of bed is more of an athletic feat for our dogs than it is for us, and for long-backed dogs like corgis, small breeds, puppies whose bones are still growing or dogs with arthritis, that type of movement can be downright dangerous.

“About 20 percent of all dogs have some form of arthritis, and jumping on and off a bed is not ideal for maintaining joint health,” Stewart says.

Dogs with a long, low build are more likely than others to suffer a back injury due to that repetitive motion. “Dachshunds are the leader in that territory. They can slip a disc or worse — I’ve seen them come in paralyzed,” he adds. There’s also the potential for injury from falling off a bed while dreaming or if a pet has a seizure.

With cats, the likelihood of injury from falling or jumping is far less in general, Stewart says. “However, older cats do have a high incidence of arthritis, which many people don’t realize,” he explains.

After age 9, many cats may begin experiencing pain in their joints, which can make it harder for them to jump up and down from their favorite places. “If you see your cat sit there and look at their spot, instead of walking over and jumping right up, that’s a sign they might be having issues.” This is a good thing to discuss with your vet, since there are treatments to help reduce the pain.

And it’s not just pets who might get injured. Groggy humans making a midnight visit to the bathroom could be tripped up by pets.

2. The threat of parasites

When you invite your pet onto the bed, you may also invite fleas and ticks, which climb aboard your pets while they’re outside (especially during warmer months), burrow into their fur and feed on their blood — and possibly yours, too, once they’ve hitchhiked into your house. Not only do fleas and ticks cause discomfort and itchiness, but they can infest your home, and their bites can lead to infection. In the case of ticks, their bites can also lead to Lyme disease in pets and humans. Dogs, particularly those who spend lots of time outdoors, are more likely to carry fleas and ticks than cats, Stewart says. “Cats are so fastidious that, even if they get a flea or two, they’re always grooming themselves. They’ll catch a random flea before it can find a home and breed,” he says. Still, he recommends flea and tick preventive treatments for cats and dogs, especially if they spend any time outdoors or are in contact with other pets who spend time outdoors.

Pets can also transmit ringworm to their humans, and Stewart has identified ringworm spots on pet owners in his clinic, more often when the pet sleeps in the bed, since that’s a prime place for close-up cuddling.

Since ringworm is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, it’s worth keeping an eye on your pet for any circular areas of hair loss on their bodies.

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

How to Move Your Pet Off the Bed

Veterinarian Kwane Stewart acknowledges that if co-sleeping with your pet is a habit, it may be a tough one to break — for you both. It’s typically an easier transition for cats than for dogs, however. With a cat who’s keeping you up, simply closing your bedroom door should do the trick. “The propensity for anxiety from that transition is less in cats than in a dog,” he says.

But if it’s time to move your dog off the bed, Stewart suggests starting with a crate for your dog in your bedroom. “Make them comfortable and give them treats,” he says. “It’s never a place of punishment, and if they’re anxious to get out, let them out.” He recommends against moving them off the bed and into another room entirely, though. “If you completely alienate them from your room after they’ve been sleeping on your bed, that’s probably going to cause some anxiety.”

If these approaches don’t work for your cat or dog, consulting with a veterinary behaviorist may be the best next step.

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.

Getty Images

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.”

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Matt Alderton is a contributing writer who specializes in health and wellness, travel and technology. His work has also appeared in USA Today, Forbes and The Washington Post.

Kristen Seymour is a contributing writer who covers pets, travel and fitness. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Outside, Forbes and HealthyPet Magazine, among other print and digital publications.

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