Pros
Warmth
If you don’t feel like investing in an electric blanket, just have your pup jump into bed 10 minutes before you get in. Your dog’s body temperature is around 3 to 6 degrees higher than yours and will warm the bed up quickly—especially during cold winter nights.
Safety
Obviously the level of safety you feel while sharing the bed with your dog will depend on their breed, but psychologically it has been proven that we feel calmer and safer with a canine at our feet while we sleep.
Relaxation
When we pat our dogs, our body naturally produces more levels of oxytocin. Known as the ‘cuddle chemical’, oxytocin will increase our feelings of trust, relaxation and psychological stability.
Happiness
At the end of the day, sometimes it comes down to happiness. If your dog loves sleeping on the bed with you and you love sharing the bed with them, then why not? If you can’t see anything wrong with it and it makes you both happy, then go for it!
Cons
Sleep
Whether your dog likes to bark at sounds during the night or they’re just irritable when they sleep, this can have a big impact on your sleeping patterns. If you’re sleep deprived due to sharing the bed with your fidgety dog, then you might need to reconsider.
Allergies
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, sharing the bed with your dog at night could potentially aggravate these conditions. If your allergies worsen at any stage, we suggest visiting your local medical centre.
Relationships
If you’re in a relationship, having a dog on your bed at night should be a mutual decision. If you feel like sharing the bed with your dog may be affecting your relationship, you should be having second thoughts.
Behaviour
Jumping up on your bed can be your dog’s way of displaying dominance. To help counteract this, only allow them on the bed after you invite them up and give them a specific portion to sleep on.
Fleas?
If you’re dog is showing signs of having fleas they shouldn’t go anywhere near your bed! To get rid of them, head to your local veterinary clinic.
