For many pet owners, the final task of the evening involves ensuring their cat or dog is comfortable and ready for bed. The only problem? More often than not, that bed is also yours. The question of whether you should sleep with your pets remains a contentious issue.
The Popularity of Co-Sleeping
Devotees claim that having a furry companion nearby helps them sleep soundly, while others express concerns about inviting a four-legged germ bomb under the covers. A recent survey of 1,000 pet owners revealed that 37 per cent sleep with their pets every night, with 44 per cent of those being women. The data, released by Petplan, indicated that dogs are most likely to snuggle with their owners at night, likely due to cats' natural nocturnal instincts. The survey found that 87 per cent of owners had a positive experience co-sleeping with their pet, with one in nine cat owners and one in seven dog owners reporting negatively impacted sleep when not sharing the bed. However, over a third (36 per cent) of pet owners said they wake up feeling unrefreshed.
Germs and Bacteria
A 2022 study from Utrecht University concluded that the primary risk of letting pets sleep in the bed stems from the germs they can bring under the covers. Dogs can carry bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Pasteurella, and E. coli on their paws, fur, and saliva. E. coli can survive on sheets for days or weeks, creating a transmission route if someone touches the bedding and then their face. Dogs can also carry giardia, a parasite causing diarrhoea and stomach cramps, as well as roundworms, fleas, and ringworm. Ticks can transfer to bedding and potentially bite humans, leading to Lyme disease. Cats can bring Pasteurella, Bartonella, Toxoplasma, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and ringworm.
Disturbed Sleep
Pets can disrupt sleep through noises like barking, meowing, or scratching, as well as heat and movement. The Petplan survey found that 88 per cent of cat owners and 85 per cent of dog owners have been woken by their pet, with a quarter needing at least 20 minutes to fall back asleep. A 2024 study from Trinity College involving 1,591 US adults found that those who slept with pets had poorer perceived sleep quality and more severe insomnia symptoms, particularly with dogs and multiple pets.
Allergies
Even if not allergic to your pet, their fur can attract pollen and other allergens, causing sneezing and watery eyes. Pet hair and dander are common allergens. Dr Hana Patel advises restricting pet access to the bedroom and washing bedding weekly. A 1998 paper in Pediatr Allergy Immunol noted that allergens can accumulate in mattresses.
Relationship Issues
Princess Diana famously said there were 'three people' in her marriage, a common scenario for pet owners. Rover.com found that 19 per cent have kicked their partner out of bed for their dog, and a third reported less intimacy since getting a dog. A 2025 paper in Human-Animal Interaction surveyed 354 dog-owning adults and found that while most felt dogs had a positive effect, 30–35 per cent said dog care took time from their partner, 25 per cent reported jealousy over cuddling, and 22 per cent said the dog intruded during shared activities. Dogs negatively affected sleep for 29 per cent and sexual intimacy for some.
Psychological Comfort
Neurophysiologist Dr Nerina Ramlakhan explains that sleeping with a pet can improve sleep by stimulating oxytocin production, which deepens connection and helps produce melatonin. Dogs like Labradors and golden retrievers may help those with PTSD. A 2015 review in Frontiers in Psychology found that animals eased anxiety and depression in trauma patients. For people living alone, a pet in bed can combat loneliness.
Routine-Boosting
Pets enforce a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule, which supports good sleep hygiene. A 2020 study linked consistent sleep times to better health. Unlike an alarm clock, a whining dog or hungry cat is hard to ignore.
Is It Good for Our Pets?
Pets can suffer from separation anxiety if they rely entirely on their owner's presence. The Dogs' Trust warns that co-sleeping can deepen this anxiety, and it is advisable to train pets to sleep in their own bed or crate. Pets should also have a choice about whether to sleep with you.
