9 Surprising Benefits of Sharing Bed With Your Pet

Do you sometimes wonder if you should let your pet take over that extra spot on your bed? You’re not alone – almost half of pet owners face this choice every night.

Pet owners, vets, and sleep experts often debate the good and bad points of sharing your bed with pets. Some people love having a warm, cuddly companion next to them. Others worry about their health and how well they sleep.

You should know both sides of the story before making up your mind. The choice to sleep with your pet can affect your daily life in many ways. Having a pet in bed might boost your emotional health but could lead to hygiene problems.

This article highlights 9 benefits of sharing bed with your pet. You can read this article for the associated risks: 7 Surprising Risks of Sharing Bed With Your Pet.

1. Improved Sleep Quality

New research shows that sleeping with pets can actually improve sleep quality, but it depends on where they sleep. Having your pet in the bedroom but not on the bed is the ideal setup, as it allows you to stay connected without disrupting your rest. Dogs tend to be better sleep companions than cats, especially for women.

Pet owners also tend to rely less on sleep medication, suggesting pets may naturally promote better sleep. Additionally, pets help reduce anxiety, providing mental comfort at night.

However, while pets may affect your perception of sleep quality, the actual efficiency of your sleep might not always improve. Your experience with sleeping alongside pets can vary based on your situation and what works best for you.

2. Reduced Anxiety and Stress

Sleeping with a pet can be remarkably therapeutic, offering significant mental health benefits. Physical contact with your pet triggers hormonal changes that increase oxytocin (the “love hormone”) and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), naturally calming your mind before and during sleep.

Co-sleeping with pets can decrease anxiety, lower blood pressure, and improve emotional regulation. The calming effect of synchronized heartbeats and oxytocin release acts as a natural antidepressant. In fact, 84% of PTSD patients with service dogs experience symptom reduction, with many able to lower their medication dosage.

While both cats and dogs provide comfort, research shows dogs offer stronger anxiety-reducing benefits. Their interactive nature and sense of security help create a soothing environment, aiding relaxation and stress reduction, often more effectively than traditional methods.

3. Enhanced Emotional Bond

Sleeping with your pet goes beyond companionship; it strengthens a deep emotional bond rooted in history. Ancient Native Americans used dogs for warmth, and today, this tradition has evolved into a meaningful connection between pets and their owners.

Co-sleeping improves the relationship with your pet, as research shows that pets sleeping in their owners’ beds develop stronger trust and emotional attachments. The physical closeness releases oxytocin, the “love hormone,” and reduces stress, deepening the emotional connection.

This bond also makes pet training easier, with dogs responding better to commands when they sleep near their owners. For pets with separation anxiety, shared sleep creates emotional security, boosting confidence. Overall, 41% of pet owners say sleeping with their pets strengthens their relationship, helping pets feel like true family members.

4. Better Heart Health

Sleeping with your pet can have significant cardiovascular benefits, beyond emotional comfort. Research from the American Heart Association shows that having pets, especially dogs, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Pet owners experience lower blood pressure and heart rate, along with quicker recovery from stress, especially when their pet is in the room.

Dog owners, in particular, are more likely to get regular exercise, with 34% achieving 150 minutes of weekly walking. Pet owners also have higher survival rates after heart attacks and lower cholesterol levels. These benefits are enhanced by the calming presence of pets, helping lower blood pressure and heart rate during stressful situations.

For those with existing heart conditions, the advantages are even more significant. Survivors of heart attacks or those with heart rhythm issues live longer with the support of their pets, benefiting from both increased activity and emotional calm.

5. Increased Sense of Security

Having a pet in bed can significantly boost your sense of security, especially at night. Dog owners, particularly women, report feeling more comfortable and safe with their dogs by their side, thanks to the dogs’ natural protective instincts and ability to alert owners to potential threats.

Pets offer security benefits by being alert to unusual sounds and situations. They help you feel safer when sleeping alone or when your partner is away, with their sharp senses acting as early warnings of danger. Service dogs also provide emotional security, helping veterans with PTSD, reducing nightmares in many cases.

Even cats, with their territorial nature and keen senses, contribute to nighttime safety. Their natural alertness makes people, especially those living alone or with traveling partners, feel protected, leading to better rest.

6. Depression Relief

Sleeping with pets can be a powerful way to combat depression, with 74% of pet owners reporting improved mental health. The unconditional love and acceptance from a pet can provide comfort during difficult times, and this bond becomes even more beneficial when shared at night.

Having a pet in bed offers companionship, purpose, and physical comfort. It creates structure, encourages routine, and enhances social connections, all of which can help ease depression symptoms. Physical contact, like petting, increases oxytocin and lowers cortisol, which naturally combats stress.

While dogs might be particularly effective in fighting depression due to stronger emotional attachments, all pets offer meaningful support. The companionship of a pet, especially during tough nights, has led scientists to study pet attachment as a potential treatment for depression.

7. Warmth and Comfort

Your pet can be the perfect natural heater on cold nights, as their body temperature stays around 102°F, offering ideal warmth when cuddled close. But the benefits go beyond just warmth. The steady rhythm of your pet’s heartbeat and gentle breathing create a calming atmosphere that helps you relax.

Studies show that sharing your bed with a pet enhances these comforting effects, making you feel safe and content. This is especially helpful for those who sleep alone, as pets provide both warmth and companionship throughout the night.

Beyond warmth, pets help create a “snuggly atmosphere,” which many find deeply soothing. This combination of warmth and emotional comfort turns your bed into a cozy haven for both you and your pet.

8. Pain Management Support

If you suffer from chronic pain, your pet might be more than just a companion; they could serve as a natural pain management tool. Studies show that people who share their bed with pets use less pain medication and experience reduced chronic pain symptoms.

Your pet’s physical contact offers natural pain relief, helps distract from discomfort, and improves sleep during painful episodes. Their presence provides emotional support and eases worries about nighttime pain.

Beyond physical relief, pets help break the cycle of pain-related anxiety and depression. Research shows that even brief animal visits can significantly reduce the need for medication. Your pet’s warmth can also act like a heating pad, providing both physical and emotional comfort that enhances traditional pain management methods.

9. Social Connection Benefits

Sharing your bed with a pet not only keeps you cozy but also enhances social connections and relationships. Studies show that pets help reduce social isolation and create more opportunities for meaningful interactions.

Your pet can improve your social life by starting conversations during walks, leading to outdoor social encounters, and helping you bond with other pet owners. They also assist those with social anxiety in connecting with others. This can be especially helpful for those struggling with loneliness.

Pets also improve social skills and emotional intelligence. Studies show that kids with pets develop better social behaviors, while adults report better mood and support through pet interactions. For those with chronic health conditions or living alone, pets provide emotional support and companionship, creating a deep camaraderie that enriches daily life.

Featured Image: by Rafal Jedrzejek/Unsplash