A vet has issued a warning to anyone who shares their bed with their pet, saying there are four reasons it can be harmful to both you and your animal
Dogs need more sleep than you may think – and a vet has warned many of them don’t get enough (stock image)(Image: Justin Paget via Getty Images)
Many pet owners form a deep connection with their furry companions. Whether it’s a feline, canine or another creature, they frequently become integral members of the household.
However, there’s one widespread practice that presents dangers not just to you, but to your animal companion as well. Numerous pet owners permit their animals to sleep alongside them in bed, but this seemingly innocent habit may carry more risks than you’d imagine.
Veterinarian Tom Mason warns it can not only interfere with sleep quality but may also transmit parasites. The in-house veterinary surgeon at Perfect Pet acknowledges that while the desire is understandable, pet owners must recognise the genuine health consequences for both themselves and their animals.
He explained: “Many owners don’t think twice about letting their pet into bed with them, but it’s worth understanding what that close, prolonged contact can mean for everyone’s wellbeing.”
He cautioned that the dangers differ based on the animal, its medical background and the owner’s individual situation. Nevertheless, he identified four primary reasons he wouldn’t advise sharing sleeping quarters with your pet, reports the Mirror.
Tom explained: “Pets can carry a range of external parasites, including fleas, ticks, mites and lice, and sharing a bed gives these unwanted guests easy access to their next host. The risk does not stop there.
“Internal parasites such as Toxocara canis, a roundworm found in both dogs and cats, can also be transmitted to humans via poor hygiene measures. Microscopic eggs shed by infected animals can survive on bedding and, if accidentally ingested, may cause infection that is difficult to detect and slow to treat.”
Co-sleeping with a pet nearly always results in fragmented rest. He explained: “The movements, restlessness and changing positions of an animal throughout the night can repeatedly break a human’s sleep cycle, even if the owner is not fully aware of it happening.
“What is often forgotten is that the disruption runs both ways. Owners can just as easily disturb their pet’s rest, and dogs and cats require good quality, unbroken sleep for their own physical and mental health.”
For those whose pets prefer staying close at night, Tom offered a “middle ground” solution. He recommended positioning a designated pet bed within the same room.
He noted there’s also a genuine risk of unintentional scratches or bumps during the night, especially with smaller and more fragile animals tumbling from an elevated bed. He cautioned that the continuous physical proximity overnight can, in certain instances, fuel separation-related issues in pets who find it challenging to manage when that contact is withdrawn during daytime hours.
Blurred boundaries Tom explained: “For dog owners in particular, allowing a pet to share a sleeping space can gradually blur the boundaries of the owner and pet relationship. Dogs are instinctively attuned to hierarchy and routine, and consistently sharing the most personal space in the home can lead to confusion around boundaries, which may in turn contribute to behavioural problems over time.”
He went on to say: “There are plenty of ways to maintain a close bond with your pet without sharing a bed. A comfortable bed in the same room gives them reassurance and proximity without the risks that come with co-sleeping.
“Getting a good night’s sleep and keeping both owner and pet healthy does not have to mean sacrificing the bond between them. It simply means being thoughtful about where that bond plays out.”
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