To Snuggle or Not to Snuggle: Does Your Pet Sleep in the Bed?

If you’re a pet parent, you know the struggle of your furry friend giving you those sad puppy-dog eyes wanting to curl up next to you in your warm comfy bed. That look can make your heart melt and scoop up your fur baby and snuggle under the covers with them. Before you do that, we’re going to look at the pros and cons of sharing your bed with your pet. 

Sleeping with your pet can offer an extra feeling of safety and security, especially if you’re sleeping with a dog. Here are some other ways your furry friend can help you sleep better at night:

1. Cuddles for days: There’s nothing quite like snuggling up with your pet. When you curl up with your four-legged friend their warmth, softness, and breathing can help you drift off to dreamland faster and stay there longer.
2. Emotional support: Our pets are often our most loyal companions. Having your pet close to you at night can alleviate anxiety, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and give you a sense of calmness. Research also shows that your pet can lead to a decrease in cortisol levels and increase oxytocin.
3. Increased connection: Sharing your sleeping space with your pet can strengthen the bond between the two of you. This will help you, and your pet, feel loved and cherished.
4. Waking up to tail wags: When you wake up in the morning seeing that cute little face and that wagging tail it’s a great way to start your day. It can put you in a good mood and start your day off on the right foot….or paw!

While the benefits of co-sleeping with your pet are amazing, there are some disadvantages to having a slumber party with your pet. 

1. Invasion of privacy: While sharing your bed can be cozy, sometimes pets don’t understand personal space. And, the bigger the pet, the more space they want to take up. Even the tiniest of dogs can be a mattress hog and leave you in uncomfortable sleeping positions, so be ready to reposition throughout the night.
2. Unwanted alarm clocks: Pets, specifically dogs, are lighter sleepers than humans because even as they are asleep they are still listening for sounds and will wake up easily. Midnight barks and zoomies can quickly turn your peaceful slumber into a night of restlessness leaving you feeling less than refreshed in the morning.
3. Allergy alert: You don’t have to be allergic to animals to suffer from allergies left by your pet. Dander, fur, and outdoor allergens can accumulate in your bed, leading to sniffles and sneezes. 
4. Mattress mayhem: The occasional accident, sharp claws, and shedding fur can take a toll on your mattress. This could cause you to need a new mattress sooner than expected.

So, what is the answer to the age-old question to snuggle or not to snuggle? Well, it’s up to you! You need to know what works best for you and your fur babies. If you don’t want Fido or Fluffy joining you in your bed but want them to be in the room with you, create a space for them with a comfy bed of their own, toys, and maybe even a treat or two so they are comfortable when going to bed. If you want to share a bed with them, invest in a mattress protector to help combat wear and tear on your mattress. Whether you’re cuddling up with a fluffy ball of joy or letting them sleep at the foot of your bed, make sure you invest in a mattress that supports all of your snoozing needs. At The Mattress Hub, we have a wide variety of mattresses perfect for everyone to get sweet dreams- pets included! So stop by today and see how you can change the way you, and your pet, sleep forever!