As autumn starts to settle in, the colder temperatures may tempt you to let your furry friends cuddle in bed with you. But experts are letting dog parents know that there’s more than one good reason you shouldn’t let your dog sleep with you.
Firstly, it’s important to note that there are plenty of good reasons to snuggle with your pup. Physical affection and time spent together help your dog socialize, and it reinforces the bond between both of you. However, dogs can be very impressionable. As such, setting good boundaries and being consistent is important to your dog’s health—and your own.
What Do the Experts Say?
According to Best Life, veterinarians say that among the reasons to keep your dog off your pillows, germs are the biggest. “One important reason why you should avoid having a dog sleep in the bed is the risk of illness for humans,” Dwight Alleyne, DVM, told Best Life. “Some dogs may carry parasites, fleas, and sometimes cause allergies in those who are sensitive.”
Although the risk of dog-to-human transmission is notably low, regularly sleeping with your pup increases your exposure.
Besides germs, experts also say your dog’s temperament and sleeping habits may negatively affect your own. Dogs are notoriously fitful sleepers, and having them in bed might keep you from getting much-needed rest. Even more so if your dog is a bigger breed. Add to this the fact that dogs don’t regulate body temperature the same way humans do, which means you and your pup could both be uncomfortable throughout the night.
Impact on Behavior
Finally, some experts say there’s a reasonable chance sleeping with your pup could affect their behavior. Linda Simon, MVB, MRCVS, and a consulting veterinarian for FiveBarks, told Best Life, “ It is not unheard of for dogs who resource guard to try and guard their owner’s bed, putting the owner at risk of a snarl or snap when they are simply trying to get into bed or to move the dog off the pillow.”
All in all, giving your dog a personal sleeping space is best for both of you. Especially if you crate-train your pooch, it gives your dog a safe, quiet space. In turn, your dog will retreat there whenever they feel anxious or tired. And you can sleep soundly, knowing they’re happy too.
