Does Your Dog Share Your Bed?
Jeanne, of Boise, Idaho, has been wonderful about bringing animal-related articles to my attention. Thanks to her, I read a recent column in USA Weekend.
The article discusses the popularity of canine companions sleeping with their people. Here is a quote from the piece.
The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association says 42% of dog owners sleep with their canines. And the percentage is higher anecdotally.
The article goes on to discuss some of the controversy surrounding the subject. Some dog experts advise against allowing dogs into your bed because dominance-related issues may occur.
“Some dogs don’t want to take over the bed. Some dogs do, and those are the dogs you probably don’t want in the bed because you might lose a foot if you moved in the middle of the night,” says Amy Marder, a Boston veterinarian and certified animal behaviorist.
Even if your dog is respectfully submissive, the article also points out that a dog in the bed can disrupt, shall we say, the more intimate moments in some peoples’ lives.
The question many people wonder, however, is whether having a dog in the bed is unhealthy for the person sleeping with the dog. The article cites one expert on the matter.
In Great Britain, the land of 6.5 million dogs, the government’s former chief veterinary officer, Fred Landeg, spoke of more dire consequences. Landeg claims sleeping with dogs can expose humans to “new and emerging diseases.” Landeg proclaimed: “As a veterinary surgeon [that’s what vets call themselves in England], I would never advise people to keep dogs in their bedroom.”
Dr. Landeg, I must respectfully disagree with you (and I should point out that the article’s author also took issue with Dr. Landeg’s statement). Most new and emerging human pathogens do not originate in dogs. It is true that pets and people can share diseases. However, healthy, parasite-free, clean dogs represent little threat to healthy people. And vice-versa.
I will confess that my pal Buster occasionally sleeps in the bed. And the only thing about it that causes me to lose any sleep is this: he’s a bed hog.
Photo credit: Alex Archambault. Photo licensing information: CC.
You have questions. 
My dog sleeps in my bed when he and I both agree on it. It’s mostly for my comfort. I have Bipolar Disorder and if I’m feeling anxious, depressed, and fearful, he is very comforting for me. When safe in my own bed with my dog lying against my back it can be more calming than medication or therapy.
i had to laugh. i am 61 yrs old and exceptionally healthy! i have 5 cats. one sleeps beside me, one at my feet, one sleeps beside my husband and the other two sleep with us occasionally. they are also very healthy! they have slept with us for at least 16 years-and we haven’t caught anything from them or they from us!
there is a very comforting thing about a sweet furry thing sleeping with you! and they don’t take up a lot of room. we have a king size bed. so maybe the vet should re-think his position (pun intended)
I started as pups letting them sleep with me to get used to me, and now they won”t move. I am pushing and pushing and one is on my head (kodi-0 ) he gets jealous. the other is on my feet. Only problem is it is a queen bed but they are all over me. sometimes I wake up and Kodi-0 is sleeping with his head on my shoulder and I am afraid to move so he is comfortable.
I don”t thin that is the right move.
But I would not trade them for the world.
Jazz, the thieving afghan, is shut in my bedroom with me now as she is such a thief she has even stolen my diabetic sons glucose tablets before. She gets on the bed but never stays as I think she may feel too warm after a while, or maybe my restless legs have got her in the night. Considering that there are not so many viruses etc that can pass between our dog and us, perhaps we should be much more seriously worried about having a human in our bed who has mingled and travelled around all day and can givesus thousands of pests and diseases. So, to be healthy, kick out the human and get the dog in!
My dog every night sleeps in my bed. She takes up all of the room but it doesn’t bother me too much. As long a you’re healthy and your dog is healthy you should be fine with you and your dog sleeping in the same bed.
I let my Chihuahua sleep on his own bed, on the floor, right next to me. I would love to let him sleep in the bed with me but I’m worried I’d roll over and squash him during the night.
Hello,
I felt the need to put in my opinion on this subject.
I allow my animals to sleep in our bed. For one reason because they are family. Unless they are not able to be safe running free in our home.
But due to a disease I have that causes me to lose body, Wolfie and Duke have been taught to “snuggle” with me in the Winter.
Because I Alpha train, and I am the Alpha in the house, my boys all know not to keep Momma from sleeping, or pushing us out of bed.
They all respect my space and do what they can to please me.
I have been sleeping with my pets for over 30 years now, and I have not gotten ill because of this at all!
I also believe that dogs that sleep on the floor even on dog beds, have a higher percentage of developing arthritis in their legs and hips, because the floors get cold, and our furnaces put out warm or hot air, but it rises higher than the dogs, hence the dog beds become cooler than they can handle.
Example, my retired SD Wolfie, has arthritis in his hips and knees, and he will be 4 years old in November! Yes, genetics may play a BIG part of this, but also I believe it was due to me having him sleep on a bed near me at night, and the floors getting very cold. He would get up in the morning stiff and hard to move at 2.5 years old, and the reason why he was retired at such an early age.
I am not a vet, nor could I give anyone statistics on this, but just my own experience over the years, and my honest opinion.
I believe that having your pets sleep in your bed is up to the owners choice. But being companion pets, I bet they would do allot better sleeping beside you!
Coco sleeps with me, almost every night. My husband snores really loudly and I sleep on the other side of the house to escape the noise. She is a nice sleeper and doesn’t hog up the bed or snore too loudly. I believe it brings your animal in as part of the pack. I could not imagine not having her in bed with me and on those nights when it is adult time, I leave her outside of the bedroom, she never scratches or whine, as if to say I know it is your time. Plus, I wouldnt change her snuggles and morning kisses for the world.
Kim
I let my Whippet mix sleep in the bed when I want to get a good night’s sleep. If Gage is in the bed, he’ll stay quiet and still until I get up. If he’s on the floor, he’ll start bouncing around the room and waking me up as soon as the sun comes up.
My husband and I share a King Bed with 2 Shih-Tzu’s. One sleeps between us, sideways with his head on the pillow. The other either sleeps at the foot of the bed or he will curl up to the back of my husband. Sometimes it can disrupt my sleep. One can jump down and neither can jump up on the bed. So, they paw at the bed until I wake up and pick them back up and place them on the bed.
As in the intimate moments, either the dogs can go to the foot of the bed, or they can stay on the floor for a little while.
I started this habit with my 2 month old Papillon who was “PTSD”. She and I have a special bond as a result. She is much more “tuned in” to me, I believe, but it was a bit of a sacrifice on my part, sleep wise. .
My Cavalier (a male) was not as sensitive nor as spacially aware as a puppy, so he spent his nights in the kennel. He joins us now, but mostly out of competition.
I had rough nights at first.. but now, we all do fine. I love the company I don’t believe there is a health risk at all. Contrary, I think it helps!
I have cats. The first two slept with me. I have one that sleeps with me, one that sleeps with my husband and the other one is in the room not on the bed. They are very comforting and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have allergies, but seem to be tolerating the cats in bed with no problems.
I wish we had never started it with our two terriers, A Rat and a Jack Russell. The rat sleeps at our feet, but if we touch him during the night he bites our feet thru the blanket. The Jack comes up on my pillow after everyone is asleep. If I go to move him because I need the room, he growls. There is nothing more frightning than 2 beadie little eyes an inch from your face in the middle of the night.
I just re-read what I just wrote and I think we need help! These little bastards are holding us hostage!
Bubba doesn’t share my bed unless there is a thunderstorm (yes, I know an 8 year old Rottie who is scared of storms…) He will however launch himself directly onto my abdomen suring a storm, which is a more than mildly uncomfortable way to awaken…110lbs of dog onto the stomach of 104 lbs of human is a sure fire alarm clock. The cats who live here however freuently join me in bed. To be clear, these are not MY cats…one belongs to a friend of mine whose living situation precluded her being able to live with her human, and the other is a “cute, adorable gray kitten” who was dumped in my rental house after the tenants moved out by persons unknown, and is living with me while I look actively for a home for her. She is perched on the arm of my chair as I write this trying to decide if pouncing Foster Mama’s hands is prudent….she made the right choice. Kitten (aka Lexi after Grey’s Anatomy) likes to sleep with me and pounce my fiancee’s feet if he moves…I have tried to explain moving feet = pouncing kitten, but he hasn’t caught on yet.
As far as disease risk..I agree with the poster who said they were more worried about humans in their bed.
I have to Chihuahua’s one sleeps on a pillow next to my head and the other on another pillow on the other side. The only concern I should make aware of everyone is if you live in an appartment complex you know that some people don’t pick up their dog poop when walking around the property. Have you all hear of “Giardia” it is a fecal/oral contamination from other infected dogs poop. It is highly contagious. My two dogs contracted it and it has been a nightmare!! It can be introduced into your home on your shoes, clothes i.e; the bottom of your pants or sitting in a park. The cysts (like little parasites) cling to everything. So if you go to dog parks or parks where there is dog poop, please please wash your dog after and whipe your shoes with clorox or clorox whipes. You can bring it into your bed if you do not shower before bed. My mission is to make dog owners aware of this nasty virus/desease. It is very hard to treat when they get it and it come’s back around the rainy, damp seasons. I keep my dogs and home very clean and always have. You never know what you will bring into your home and introduce to your dogs in public places. Please concider washing their paws, legs, faces and belly’s before you transport your dog home in your car after you walk Fido!! Please read up on intestinal diseases (Giardia) if your dog has soft stools. Remember you don’t have to be un-clean to pick up virus’s or diseases. Become educated!!
Sincerely,
Worried mother.
I have 5 cats. 4 rescued last year as kittens at different times and have all shared my bed since they were kittens. 1 is a stray I took in. She sleeps in the kitchen on a very comfy little bed, since she chases the other 4 off the bed.
I love sleeping with my cats. Two sleep on either side of my pillow and two sleep against me at my side. I find it comforting. It says a lot when a cat or dog will let their guard down and feel trusting enough of you to sleep in your precence. I’m their mom and they find comfort next to me.
I don’t think I could sleep without them keeping me company.
I sleep with my dog, Berta, and almost every night the cat Mishy sneaks in an sleeps by my face:you see, Berta sleeps by my legs and Mishy soon realized that he could sneak in from the top,so to speak ,reminder from the time we rescued him as an abandoned 2 month kitten, and since Berta wouldnt let him get in the bed with me, he would wait until she was asleep, and then sneak in and cuddle in to sleep in by my neck(!!).
When its winter,they both get in the covers(Berta just LOVES to get inside the quilts, its one of her favourite hiding places)
I TOTALLY emphathize with the the mother of Bo and Freeway, the Rat and Jack Russell:Berta also growls if you move to get room(if she’s asleep) tho she’s nevr gotten round to biting(yet!)But I think it goes with the breed, Berta is a german shorthaired pointer mutt, which are also wiry nervous dogs with a lot of character!
At a certain point, when Berta was a an adolescent I did give that “dominance” theory a thought or two, and thought of keeping her in her dog bed, just by mine.
But since I’m a dog handler, and an ethology student,I did a lot of research, and actually its NOT so obvious, specially the dominance theory, which is becoming old and actually being contested for quite some time now.
AND, MOST IMORTANT:I told myself, dogs and cats have such a short and intense life, every minute spent with them is precious.
I know if I would not let my dog sleep with me for some ridiciulous theory, when she wont be with me I’ll regret it every second I didnt spend by her side. I just love the feeling of her little body,and how she cuddles in and every night when she’s confortable gives a relaxing*sigh*, and how she waits until she realizes I’m awake to fall on top of me like a licking torpedo!
And when I go to sleep, the most relaxing sound is puuurrrrrrrr…
one of our cats sleeps with my mom every night. i think it makes them both feel better. the cat is 10, and i think she’s showing symptoms of arthritis (slow movements, has become temperamental when certain parts of her body are touched, seeks heat, etc.), so sleeping by my mom makes her feel better. my mom has Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A.), and she says that when Bear, the cat, sleeps by her, she sleeps better. i’ve never got sick from any of our cats, or vice versa. my asthma isn’t affected in the slightest by them, and i sleep better when they honor me by joining me in bed.
We have doggy steps going up to the couches & beds and change the blankets on them frequently. We keep the dogs clean, and don’t allow them under the covers.
It all started with the first dog…He used to sleep in a doggy bed next to our bed and every night after we fell asleep, he would sneak up on the bed and I would wake up in the morning with his head next to mine on the pillow, ha ha ha. So we gave up and let him on the bed. 3 dogs later… We sleep apart because it got crowded. Two sleep on the king-size bed with me. One sleeps with my honey in the guest room double bed.
To prevent them from snapping if startled, I got them used to being petted while sleeping.
My Mini Schnauzer is 2 yrs.young - and he has slept with me every night since he was 3 months old. We keep him very clean,groomed every month,and we are all healthy. Never had a problem.
In fact I can’t imagine going to bed without him! Every night around 9:30 he comes to me, paws at my feet-he knows it’s bed time:-)
All I can say about this subject is that it should be a matter of choice.
This is one thing that Jack may or may not do. During the summer he may start out sleeping on the bed, but then he’ll get down and sleep on the kitchen floor or the living room or his dog bed… sometimes simply at the foot of my bed he’ll crash (literally). But during the colder winter months he loves to snuggle up as close as he can get on the bed. I feel more protected with him curled up beside me. Only occasionally does he groan when I move him out of my spot and onto his side of the bed. :)
And then there’s the time during the day when I’m gone… my bed becomes the ultimate place to nap while waiting for me to come home from work! He’ll stretch out and say oh, nice to see you mom!
Kai, my Shiba Inu, spends most nights sleeping next to me with his head on his pillow. Now and then he prefers the sofa in the living room, and on those nights I don’t sleep as well. When either of us is feeling bad, he will come and curl next to me with his head on my shoulder and a paw over my arm. As this is not usually a snuggly breed, I feel exceptionally blessed that Kai can’t think of a nicer place to be than cuddled up next to Mom. Waking up to a smiling furry face and playing for a few minutes before I have to get up and get ready for work, starts my day off on a positive note every morning. Starting each morning this way is priceless.
My adopted chihuahua had ‘issues’ with getting over the abuse he suffered. It took quite some time before he would get in the bed with me. And when he did I could not wake him in the middle of the nite. But now I have regained the dominance of my bed and he understands he needs to move when Mommy says so. As a matter of fact, when I get in the shower, he gets in the bed and waits for me. I don’t even have to say anything, when he sees me going into the shower jumps on my bed and waits by my pillow. We can’t sleep without eachothers company!
trish - thanks for your support! My Jack Russell would never really bite me in the face for moving him. His little growl is actually his way of crying - he wants to be next to me so bad that he has to play the big guy. I tell him I think he is a little man in a dog suit. He was a year old when I got him from the shelter so he has some issues. Doesn’t matter, we love each other unconditionally.