Sleeping with dogs can pose health risks for both you and your pet. Not only do you risk injury, but you also increase the risk of contracting illnesses from your pet’s feces and germs. If you’re sleeping with a smaller dog, you might roll over on it and injure it. Even if you have a bigger dog, this still poses a risk. Bacteria and germs can be spread through open wounds or cross-contamination after a nighttime potty break.
Co-sleeping with dogs can cause behavior problems
It is important to be aware of potential problems if you are considering co-sleeping with your dog. This type of sleeping arrangement can put your dog at risk of developing aggression and other behavior issues. While the effects of co-sleeping on well-behaved dogs are small, those with a history of behavioral problems may continue to exhibit these behaviors while sleeping with their owners. If you are not sure whether co-sleeping will affect your dog, contact your veterinarian to discuss your options.
The first thing to remember when co-sleeping with your dog is to establish ground rules. You should not let your dog in your bed if it has aggression issues. Your dog should have his own area to sleep in. If your dog shows any signs of aggression, it is best to immediately contact a veterinarian or behaviorist.
It can disrupt sleep
Some research suggests that sleeping with a dog can disrupt your sleep. Although it may provide you with a sense of safety and security, sleeping with a dog may disturb your sleep because of its different sleep cycles. Here are a few reasons why your pet might disturb your sleep. It might steal your covers, snore, or take over your bed. Or it could get up and start walking around in the middle of the night.
According to a Mayo Clinic Sleep Center study, nearly half of the participants slept with a dog. Of those, sixty percent reported that their pet did not disturb their sleep, while 53 percent reported that it did. The study also found that most respondents reported that their dog had a minimal effect on their sleep, with only a small percentage of participants reporting a significant disruption during the night.
It can reduce depression
Having a dog around can help you reduce depression. Dogs can understand your emotions and provide a listening ear to your troubles. Your dog can also help you get restful sleep. If you’re suffering from depression, it’s a good idea to see a mental health provider get the proper treatment. Your doctor may recommend several tests.
According to Mental Health America, over 40 million people in the United States are depressed. However, most people don’t even realize they’re depressed. Busy lives often cause us to ignore our mental health. Unfortunately, this has led to increased numbers of suicides in the country. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat depression and make it easier to manage.
