To share or not to share, that is the question! Allowing your pet to sleep on the furniture or insisting their paws stay firmly on the floor, has been the subject of many a debate between pet owners.
A recent survey by Animal Friends Pet Insurance found that three-quarters of dog owners encourage their dogs to share their bed.
Catrin George, Animal Wellbeing Specialist at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, reveals some interesting insight into how co-sleeping with your pet can be beneficial. Catrin explains: “11% of those surveyed specifically noted that they feel sleeping with their pet helps with bonding. Plus, the relaxing effect of interacting with a pet can be linked to physical touch, so sleeping in the same bed with your dog or cat can help ease the mind.”
This makes perfect sense, as stroking a pet can help calm and soothe us by lowering the stress hormone cortisol and increasing the feel-good hormone oxytocin. Not only that, by stroking your pet, you are also helping to create a stronger bond and fulfil the basic human need for touch.
Catrin also notes other added bonuses. “Having a pet, specifically a dog, share our sleeping space can provide owners with a greater sense of security and off er a feeling of protection, especially when spending nights alone. In fact, 25% of pet owners surveyed who allow their dog on the bed directly stated that they find it comforting."