Is your dog absolutely not allowed to touch your bed? We would think about that again, because sleeping with your pet is better than with a partner.
Research
Professor Christy Hoffman conducted research into sleeping companions in the American city of Buffalo. She examined more than nine hundred women, some of whom slept with their partner, some with their dog and the last with their cat. What came out of this research? The women who slept with their dog had the best night’s sleep.
Sleeping with a dog
The women who slept with a dog had the best night’s sleep, according to the study in Buffalo. These women felt safer and more comfortable, but also went to bed earlier and woke up earlier. Because they adapt well to their owner, the four-legged friends performed best in the test. This is different with cats: they have a will of their own and do not adapt. These animals are therefore a lot less pleasant to sleep with in bed. Most men are comparable to cats, the study shows.
Reverse
Although it sounds perfect to sleep with your dog, this does not always have to be the case. Some barking four-legged friends could snore very loudly, causing the women to sleep poorly or at all. You will also have to wonder whether it is hygienic to take such an animal to bed.
Pros and cons
The research may have a downside, but we were still able to list a number of advantages, such as:
- Sleeping together can have a calming effect on you
- Oxytocin is released: this cuddly hormone creates a stronger bond between you and your pet
- You stay nice and warm at night
- You get a feeling of security: Your four-legged friend can warn you about uninjured events and possible threats
- Waking up next to your best friend every morning, isn’t that what everyone wants?
As nice as it is to sleep with your four-legged friend, there are still some disadvantages, such as:
- Small species can fall out of bed and injure themselves
- Your partner may not like it because there may not be enough space left
- Dirt, hair and allergens can enter the bed more often. That’s not nice if you have asthma or allergies
- They can expose you to diseases or parasites, such as ticks
- They have different sleep patterns than humans, and can disrupt your sleep cycle with movements and sounds
