The number of dogs in UK households is at an all time high, with many families having welcomed dog companions into their homes particularly during the Covid-19 lockdown. According to a 2021 study by PMFA 24% of brits have a furry friend sharing their home. Dogs are devoted, lifelong companions loved by Brits, so it’s no surprise there has been an increase in Google searches with dog owners searching whether their furry companion can sleep in bed with them. In fact, research by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education Research shows that more than half of owners (56%) allow their pets to sleep with them at night. Dogs bring so much joy and happiness to families and allowing them to sleep on your bed has many benefits for them and us.
5 Reason Why You Should Let Your Dog on Your Bed:
- Calming influence – As researchers discovered, the presence of a dog has a calming influence that lowers a person’s blood pressure and can address anxiety’s role in insomnia by supporting with relaxation techniques. As such, insomnia sufferers have reported a reduction in the severity and frequency of symptoms when sleeping next to a dog.
- Fresh bed sheets – Having a dog encourages more cleaning in the house because of a build-up of bacteria and dirt. Extra bed washes help reduce dust, allergies, and dirt. Therefore, dogs provide an extra reason to keep the house clean and tidy. According to The National Sleep Foundation washing sheets once a week may help people sleep better because of the fresh smelling scent.
- Strengthened immunity – Sharing a bed with a dog may have immune system benefits due to closer proximity. As such, pets encourage the diversity of microorganisms in a home and research shows that your immune system strengthens when exposed to a diversity of microorganisms. Additionally, it is proven to lower blood pressure in humans, and babies are less likely to have allergies when being around animals.
- Comfort – It may be the most… obvious of benefits to cuddling up next to your pooch, but the surfeit of comfort we feel when sleeping next a dog can’t be found anywhere else. Maybe it’s the warmth of their fur. Maybe it’s the soft, sleep-inducing rhythm of their breathing. Maybe it’s just the company. Whatever the reason, we challenge you to find anything more comforting than a lazy snooze with your arm draped around your furry friend.
- Bonding – Allowing dogs to sleep on your bed from the beginning will allow them to feel safe and secure in their new space and form the foundation of a lasting bond between the two of you. It may take a few nights to find your sleep rhythm, but once you’re both locked in step, you’ll start enjoying the many, many benefits of sleeping with a dog in your bed.
Perhaps it’s dog’s unspoken empathy. It might even be their soothing presence which helps improves sleep (As demonstrated in a 2018 study by Canisius College, New York, which found that women sleep more soundly with a dog in their bed. Whatever the reason, dogs offer us so much, while rarely asking for anything more than regular walkies, their favourite chew-toy, and the occasional scratch behind the ears. They’re more than pets – they’re family.
Anxiety can wreak havoc on your sleep; often making getting a full night’s rest near-impossible. But dogs have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety – along with several other mental health conditions – improving your chances of quality sleep. As noted in several studies, even just the act of stroking a dog reduces the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your body, thereby easing your mind and literally relaxing your body. Dogs are already used in a range of therapeutic settings, so if you’re struggling with anxiety you may wish to try sleeping next to a dog for some additional comfort.
Please find more details on Sleep Expert, Phil Lawlor in the following link: https://www.dormeo.co.uk/phil-lawlor
