IN A 2022 SURVEY, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 46 percent of Americans allow a pet to sleep in their bed at least sometimes. The pros and cons:

HERE, BOY! Pets provide a sense of safety and comfort. Says George Melillo, cofounder of Heart + Paw veterinary practice, “Having your pet right beside you may provide added security for older people with diminished hearing.”

DOWN, BOY! First, there’s the unsanitary factor. And pets can be an intimacy blocker. Says Michael J. Breus, founder of Sleep Doctor: “Many animals do not understand what’s going on and think some type of harm is being done.”