The study, dated March 6, 2024, and titled “Co-sleeping with pets, stress, and sleep in a nationally representative sample of United States adults,” concludes that sleeping with dogs may lead to poorer sleep quality, whereas sleeping with cats does not appear to have the same detrimental effect. Additional findings from the study are summarized below:
Findings
The study involved 1,591 participants, of which 56% were female and 70% were white. A total of 758 participants, representing 47.6%, reported sleeping with their pets. The findings suggest that sleeping with pets, particularly dogs, is linked to poorer sleep quality and increased insomnia severity. Exploratory analysis suggests that dogs, unlike cats, may disrupt sleep, leading to stress. This disruption is not mitigated by the presence of a companion animal. The study concludes that sleeping with dogs may generally result in a negative experience, and this effect is amplified with a higher number of dogs in the household. The level of attachment between individuals and their pets does not appear to influence the negative or positive impact of this practice.
Study citation: Chin, B.N., Singh, T. & Carothers, A.S. Co-sleeping with pets, stress, and sleep in a nationally-representative sample of United States adults. Sci Rep 14, 5577 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56055-9
Comment: I’ve read this before that dogs disturb sleep and contribute negatively to their owner’s sleep. I’ve also read that women are more likely to benefit from sleeping with their dogs than men. Perhaps because of the security implications.
Variables
However, numerous variables must be considered, which makes it imprudent to generalize the benefits or drawbacks of sleeping with a pet. It varies based on the individual and their specific sleeping arrangements. For example, consider a scenario where a dog sleeps at the foot of its owner’s bed on a large double bed; this arrangement causes minimal disturbance while providing the comfort of each other’s presence throughout the night. In such a case, the disturbance is unlikely, and the benefits of bonding and companionship with the pet are felt.
Besides the potential for disturbance, there’s the issue of allergies. If the owner is slightly allergic to their dog or cat, symptoms may worsen by sleeping with the pet, potentially making it harder to sleep.
Temperature regulation is also crucial for a good night’s sleep. Sleeping with pets, especially dogs, might make conditions too warm, although it could be beneficial in a cold house during winter.
On the upside, there are benefits like a sense of security, which may be more important to someone who is anxious than to someone who isn’t. This sense of security can be influenced by where the person lives and their past experiences, such as encounters with burglars.
Feeling more secure can lead to less stress, and less stress can lead to better sleep.
But as mentioned, there are variables, and they all impact whether sleeping with a cat or dog is beneficial or detrimental. Often, the pet caregiver has no choice due to the strong bond between them, and the pet wants to join them in bed at night. The caregiver accepts because they cherish their companion animal. It then falls to the caregiver to make the sleeping arrangements work.
Ultimately, whether sleeping with your pet disrupts your sleep depends on your individual situation and your pet’s personality.
Some things to consider
Here are some things to consider:
- Your pet’s sleep habits: If your pet is restless at night, it might be best to keep them out of the bedroom.
- Your sleep needs: If you’re a light sleeper, any pet movement might be enough to wake you up.
- Your allergies: If you have pet allergies, co-sleeping is probably not a good idea.
RELATED: Is your sleep disturbed by your pet?
Personal
My cat frequently sleeps with me, especially during the wet and cold winter months. In fact, he may spend the entire night on my bed, staying in close contact. While he does somewhat disturb my sleep, I’ve come to accept and tolerate it. The disturbances are minor, and if his presence warms and comforts him, then I’m glad to grant him that privilege as part of my duties in caring for my cat.
