I Love My Dogs, But I Never Let Them in the Bed – And Sleep Scientists Say I’m Right
The reality is unhygienic, disturbed sleep
If you have dogs, you'll know the soothing impact their company can bring while enjoying a movie or getting lost in your favorite book. With four dogs at home, I know just how special this privilege can be. But if there's one place mine are never allowed to rest, it's my bed.
For many pet owners, this may seem a controversial take, and whilst experts agree that there are pros and cons to be considered either way, as a Sleep Editor, I know that no disturbances and a clean sanctuary are essential for sleeping better.
Why I Never Let My Dogs Sleep On My Bed
Unfortunately, if you're a pet owner who doesn't mind sharing your bed with your pet, Dr. Mike Gradisar, Head of Sleep Science at Sleep Cycle, agrees with me. 'The evidence is clear that, despite our preference for pets sleeping with us on the bed, our pets’ movements do disturb our sleep,' he explains.
In fact, a ScienceDirect study, entitled The effects of bed sharing on sleep: From partners to pets, found that, while nearly half of dog and cat owners share their bed with their pet, available data does suggest that doing so can hurt your sleep and rest, as your pet moves, stretches, snores, or leaves the bed.
On top of that, adds Sleep Specialist Dr. Saema Tahir, M.D., 'Pets bring dander, dirt, and other allergens into your sleep space, which can trigger allergies or asthma in some people. This also creates unnecessary housework and the need for an air purifier, [available at Amazon], as you work to reduce pet dander in the bedroom, and it is undoubtedly a bad habit that makes your bed unsanitary.'
Additionally, says Dr. Saema, letting your pets sleep in your bed all the time can also make it harder to train them or set boundaries. For that reason, she's with me on this one.
'I usually recommend not allowing pets in the bed, especially if you’re a light sleeper or want uninterrupted sleep,' she advises. 'Keeping your bed pet-free is the simplest way to protect your sleep quality.'
The Benefits of Sharing Your Sleep Space With a Pet
If you do want to share your bedroom with your pets, it's best to give them their own space to sleep.
That being said, there are a few benefits of co-sleeping with your pets, which are, by and large, the same as living with pets in general.
Dr. Saema explains, 'Pets can be surprisingly good for your mental state at night. Just being near your dog or cat can boost oxytocin, the “bonding hormone," and lower stress hormones like cortisol, which can help you relax,' particularly when paired with a calming activity, like journaling or meditation, and a warm, soothing, dimmable lamp, available at Amazon.
For that reason, having a pet in your bedroom may, in some cases, help you to fall asleep faster.
'Some people even feel like having a pet in bed gives them extra security or comfort, and it can help stick to a bedtime routine since pets tend to be creatures of habit,' continues Dr. Saema.
Steps You Can Take to Ensure a Better, More Hygienic Night's Sleep With Pets
If you do want your pets on the bed, keep them in a separate pet bed, and make sure to regularly wash your bedding.
If you can't part with your pets, there are some steps you can take to improve your sleep hygiene and prevent them from ruining your rest.
'Give them their own spot on the bed, either a pet bed or blanket, to contain hair and dander and keep them clean with regular brushing and bathing,' recommends Dr. Saema. This Washable Pet Bed, available at Wayfair, comes in an array of fun colors and four different sizes. Even better, says Dr. Mike, train your pet to sleep on the floor of your bedroom, rather than in your bed.
'Washing your bedding is also important, and a HEPA filter in the bedroom can help keep airborne allergens at bay,' adds Dr. Saema.
If you're in the market to upgrade to one of the best air purifiers, our top pick, recommended by our Home Tech Editor, Dan Fauzi, is the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier, available at Amazon, which features a HEPA-filter and performed the best on test for effective purification in even large spaces, at a relatively accessible price point.
Transitioning Your Pets Out of Your Bedroom
Whilst it can take some time, transitioning your pets out of your bedroom will serve you well in the longer term.
Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, has two cats, and used to let them sleep in her room overnight and on her bed during the day. She now has a strict no-cat policy in her bedroom.
She explains, 'I found it as soothing as they did to be near each other overnight, but I was often disturbed when they inevitably wanted to leave the room at 4 am, or they got the dreaded midnight zoomies and ran across us and up and over our large headboard. Additionally, I began suffering allergies from their fur and dander on my bedding, which caused my eyes to itch and stopped me from getting to sleep.'
To undo this habit without too much strain on her cats, Punteha did a gradual shift to end the practice. She says, 'First, I put a dark throw over our pillows, and they stopped sleeping near my pillow during the day. Then I began shutting the bedroom door in the morning so their daytime naps in my sleep space ceased. From there it was simple to keep them out at night, and though they scratched at the door for a night or two, they quickly adapted.'
Making sure your pets have comfortable beds nearby, such as in the hallway, and leaving a nightlight on will help them feel secure without having to be in your room.
What to Shop
Below, I've curated a collection of items to ensure a clean, comfortable, restful sleep for both you and your pets, based on the included advice from the experts.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This bestselling air purifier proves you can have a hygienic home without overspending. It features a handle for easy portability, and is compact enough to place up on a shelf or beneath a table, and quiet enough to sleep with it on.
Anyone who lives with animals will know how difficult it can be to keep a clean home when you have pets. For vacuuming pet hair, this was rated our best on test by Dan, who wrote, 'Boasts flawless pet hair pickup, floor, dust detection, a HEPA filter and anti-allergen seals, and incredible suction power on every floor type.'
This chic dog bed will look effortlessly at home among any bedroom ideas. It's handwoven, so each is one of a kind, and stands firmly in place with small, anti-slip feet.
This handheld vacuum is specifically designed for banishing dust and other allergens from your mattress. It's easy to use without clogging, and the wired design means you can clean continuously without worry of a flat battery.
This bestselling pet furniture protector has over 23,000 five-star reviews, and is soft, luxurious, reversible, and suitable for any kind of furniture. It may not be the most stylish-looking, but it provides peace of mind and effective protection.
At home, we swear by this brush to keep my Labrador's hair at bay. It's specifically designed for larger dogs, so keep that in mind, and it effectively removes loose undercoat hair without cutting their skin or damaging the topcoat.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Saema is a Quadruple Board-Certified Physician who specializes in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine. After graduating from Ross Medical School, she completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Case Western Reserve University at MetroHealth Medical Center. She then embarked on four years of specialty training, completing a fellowship in Sleep Medicine at Temple University Hospital and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Drexel University Hahnemann Medical Center.
Dr. Mike Gradisar has a passion for sleep science, with over two decades of expertise and a PhD in Psychology. Once a University Professor at Flinders University, he made a shift to democratize global sleep knowledge, taking on the role of Head of Sleep Science at Sleep Cycle. With 140+ published studies, his influence spans diverse sleep topics, from technology use and mental health to insomnia and circadian rhythms.
Keeping a home clean with pets is a constant effort, but automating your floorcare with one of the best robot vacuums removes some of the time and energy, whilst one of the best pet vacuums will help extract trapped pet hair and dander from deep inside your carpets.
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