Should you let your dog sleep in bed with you? It can be a polarising question among dog parents—and dog preferences vary as much as human ones. Some dogs would love nothing more than to snuggle up with their people at night, while others prefer their own spot.
Humans are divided, too. A 2022 survey found that almost half (46%) of respondents sleep in the same bed with a pet. According to survey results, younger generations, such as Gen Z, were more likely to sleep with a pet than Baby Boomers.
So what’s the best sleeping arrangement for you and your pet? To explain the benefits and challenges, we spoke with Lori Chamberland, KPA CTP, Education Manager at Fear Free, an organisation that provides training programs to veterinary professionals, pet parents, and more.
Why Does Your Dog Want to Sleep in Your Bed?
It’s not surprising some of our dogs want to hop up into bed with us. It’s cosy and den-like, and it smells like their favourite humans. “For dogs who are cuddly and enjoy that physical contact with their human, it can be very comforting to cuddle with you at night,” says Chamberland.
That said, while many dogs might prefer to be close to us, Chamberland says not every dog is a snuggler. “Some dogs might be more independent and prefer the undisturbed peace of a dog bed nearby or perhaps even the couch downstairs.” Before trying to corral your dog into your bed, it’s important to consider whether that’s really their optimal sleeping situation.
Benefits of Letting Your Dog in the Bed
You never have to let your dog in your bed if you don’t want to—most pups can be perfectly comfortable sleeping in their own spot. But if it’s something you’d like to try, plenty of pet parents swear by the benefits—and some new studies are backing them up. In particular, co-sleeping with your dog may strengthen your bond, improve your sleep, and relieve symptoms of depression.
Bonding
Letting your dog sleep in your bed can be one of many bonding activities. A 2021 study in Australia reported that pet parents who co-sleep with their dogs report a closer bond.
Those benefits can have a big impact on life with your friend: dogs who are more strongly bonded to their pet parent are typically more affectionate, more attentive, and easier to train.
Better sleep
Some people report sleeping better with their dog—according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, nearly half (46%) of those who sleep with a pet report sleeping better with a furry friend.
Studies suggest those who report improved sleep quality benefit from:
- Feelings of safety (especially as reported by women)
- Reduced symptoms of sleep disorders like insomnia and nightmares
- An easier time falling asleep
Reduced anxiety, depression, and loneliness
It’s long been established that dogs can have a positive impact on mental health. For dogs that enjoy cuddling, Chamberland says, “They can benefit from the oxytocin released by physical touch from a loved one. Ditto for us humans—we can benefit from the oxytocin boost of sleeping next to a dog.”
That oxytocin can lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression—so the more time spent with your dog, the better.
Akifyeva Svetlana via iStock
Reasons To Avoid Co-Sleeping With Your Dog
There are also some good reasons to keep your dog out of your bed. Some pet parents experienced increased sleep disruption, especially with big dogs and loud snorers. Pet parents with allergies can suffer from pollen and plant matter their dog tracks onto blankets. And though your dog isn’t likely to suddenly think they’re the “alpha,” some dogs with resource-guarding tendencies can find sharing a bed stressful.
Sharing a bed with your dog can disrupt your sleep. First, there may not be room on your bed for you and your dog or you, your partner, and your dog—not if you all hope to get a restful night’s sleep. Bigger dogs may be an especially tough fit.
Dogs can also disrupt your sleep due to heat, noise, snoring, or frequent movement, and sleep studies show the negative impact on restful sleep. Chamberland agrees that light sleepers in particular may struggle. “Dogs dream and twitch and switch positions a lot in the night, and, depending on the size of the dog(s), the size of the bed, and the number of occupants of said bed, it can potentially wake you up several times a night.”
Allergies and hygiene
It’s not necessarily unhygienic to sleep with your dog—after all, their basic grooming routine should keep them tidy. But if your dog is a mud hog, a dramatic shedder, or a little smelly, you may prefer to keep them out of bed for your own comfort.
It also means you can’t skip a dose of preventive parasite medications. “Ticks can pose a real danger to both dogs and humans, so it’s important that you use flea/tick prevention if you decide to let your dog sleep in your bed,” Chamberland advises.
For people with hay fever or dog allergies, sleeping in bed with dogs may not be a good idea. Keeping bedding allergen-free is much trickier than in other living spaces, since there’s so much more body contact with sheets and comforters. In addition to having fur that might be allergenic, dogs can bring grasses and pollens inside and right up to the faces of their allergic humans.
Resource guarding
Some pet parents worry that letting their dog on the bed will make their dog think they’re the “alpha.” For the most part, the myth that dogs operate on dominance or pack hierarchies has been debunked—so you don’t need to worry that co-sleeping will go to your dog’s head, Chamberland says.
However, some dogs may struggle with sharing a bed. “For dogs who already tend to guard resources, such as food, bones, toys, dog beds, by growling, lunging, or snapping when someone approaches, they may decide that the bed is a resource to be guarded, and that can put you at risk,” says Chamberland. If that’s an issue, it’s crucial to enlist a trainer, veterinarian, or a veterinary behaviourist.
Other pet parents worry that co-sleeping can cause or exacerbate separation anxiety. According to Chamberland, it’s unlikely. “I’m not aware of any studies that suggest this. There are many possible causes for separation anxiety, including genetics, improper/lack of introduction to independence early in life, traumatic experiences during the owner’s absence, and more. But allowing your dog to sleep in bed with you does not cause separation anxiety.”
Kseniya Zhukova via iStock
Can Dogs and Kids Sleep Together?
Kids, especially young kids, and dogs together need a little more care and supervision. Whether you let your dog sleep with your child depends on their relationship and your understanding of safe dog handling.
Chamberland recommends that parents closely monitor the dog’s body language and teach their children to respect the dog’s space at all times. “I’d caution that allowing a young child to share a bed with a dog could pose a risk, depending on the dog. Young children don’t always notice when a dog is uncomfortable and can unintentionally cause stress by hugging them when they don’t want to be hugged or by grasping body parts like an ear or a tail. Even the most tolerant dogs can sometimes tire of this and react with aggression, through no fault of their own.”
If you do decide to allow your dog and an older child to share a bed, Chamberland recommends that you plan to teach the child how to recognise and respect the dog’s body language. Fear Free has a couple of great free resources on this, including a “Dog Body Language 101” video and handout.
How Can You Get Your Dog Out of Your Bed?
If you and your dog don’t see eye to eye on co-sleeping, there are ways to encourage and train your dog to sleep elsewhere gently. Chamberland suggests a two-part strategy.
First, prevent them from getting used to your bed. This is easier the earlier you start, either in early puppyhood or when you first welcome an adopted dog home. Use a crate or playpen, and keep the bedroom door closed at all times unless you’re in the bedroom, she says.
Second, make the spot you do want your dog to sleep in very attractive and comfortable. “If you would like the dog to sleep in a crate, for example, make the crate an enjoyable place for the dog to hang out by using things like treats, chew toys, long-lasting KONG toys, etc. Make sure the dog has a soft, comfy dog bed or thick blanket inside the crate,” says Chamberland. “You can also feed the dog a long-lasting treat on his dog bed, where you would like him to sleep. Never use the crate or dog bed as a place of punishment for the dog. You want to build positive-only associations with it.”
What If You’re Dog Sitting?
If you’re watching a dog for someone else overnight, it’s a good idea to ask the dog’s pet parent about their pup’s sleeping habits beforehand. If, for example, their dog is used to sleeping on a bed but you’re not comfortable with that, ask if there are alternatives the dog would be comfortable with. If not, it might be best to skip dog sitting for this particular pup—otherwise, you might be in for a rough night.
If you’d like the dog to join you on the bed, it’s still a good idea to check with the pet parents first. They may not want their dog forming habits they don’t intend to keep up at home. If you get the go-ahead, go for it and snuggle to your heart’s content.
