Few pet debates split households like this one. Some owners swear their dog helps them sleep. Others picture shed hair, snoring and a sleepless night. Sleep researchers at the Mayo Clinic decided to look at the evidence, and what they found is more nuanced than either side expects.
The 2015 Survey: Most Owners Weren’t Bothered
In 2015, Dr. Lois Krahn and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona, surveyed 150 adults and published the results in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. About half of them, 74 people, had pets, and 56 percent of those owners let their animals sleep in the bedroom or on the bed.
Only 20 percent of pet owners called their pet disruptive, citing wandering, snoring, whimpering or needing the bathroom. Among owners who let pets sleep with them, 41 percent said it was either no problem or actually good for their sleep. Some described feeling secure and relaxed with a pet nearby, especially people who slept alone.
The limits are worth noting. The study was a survey of sleep-clinic patients, so it relied on self-reporting, and it can’t prove that pets cause better sleep.
The 2017 Follow-Up: Objective Data
To get harder evidence, Krahn’s team followed 40 healthy adults without sleep disorders, each with one dog, for a week. Everyone wore activity trackers, as did the dogs. The results were published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings in September 2017.
People with a dog in the bedroom averaged about 83 percent sleep efficiency when the dog was off the bed, and about 80 percent when the dog slept on the bed. Dogs slept well in both cases. The researchers concluded that a dog in the bedroom does not necessarily disrupt sleep, as many had assumed, but that being on the bed made a small difference. “Many people actually find comfort and a sense of security” with their pets nearby, Krahn said in a Mayo news release.
What the Research Doesn’t Say
The studies do not show that dogs lower depression, cure insomnia or change your brain chemistry. The 2017 study was small, had no control group and involved mostly healthy, middle-aged women, so the results may not apply to everyone. Dr. Andrew Weil, among others, notes that the only health concern of note is a 2011 report that in rare cases pets can pass infections to owners through licking or sharing a bed. Allergens, odors, heat and a restless pet can also affect your night.
Making It Work: What to Budget For
If you share your bed with your dog, a few investments can make it cleaner and more comfortable:
- Washable bedding. A waterproof mattress protector and machine-washable pet-friendly sheets make cleanup simple.
- A dog bed nearby. A good orthopedic dog bed gives your pet a comfortable spot and lets you test the “in the room, off the bed” option.
- Allergy support. An air purifier with a HEPA filter can help reduce pet dander in the bedroom.
- Parasite prevention. Regular flea and tick prevention keeps pests out of your bed.
- Pet insurance. Plans can help with vet bills if your dog’s health issues disturb your nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to let my dog sleep in my bed? Research suggests it isn’t necessarily harmful. In the Mayo Clinic’s objective study, people maintained good sleep efficiency with a dog in the bedroom, though sleep was slightly better when the dog was off the bed.
Does sleeping with my dog improve my sleep? Some people report feeling safer and more relaxed, but the studies do not prove that dogs improve sleep for everyone.
Are there health risks? Allergies and rare infections are possible, and a restless dog can disturb your sleep. Talk to your doctor or vet if you have allergies or a weakened immune system.
What if my dog keeps me awake? Try moving the dog from your bed to a comfortable spot elsewhere in the bedroom. If that doesn’t work, move it just outside the door.
Sources: Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Reuters Health, TIME, WRAL, and the American Kennel Club, all covering the Mayo Clinic’s 2015 survey and 2017 study of how dogs and pets in the bedroom affect human sleep.
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