Sleeping With Pets: Are They Keeping You Awake At Night?

Animal lovers across the globe enjoy snuggling up with their beloved companions at nighttime. Research has shown that of the hundreds of thousands Americans who own pets, more than half of these individuals let their cats and dogs sleep in the bed with them. Veterinary scientists, however, have cautioned that allowing your animals to sleep in your bed can have a damaging impact on your overall health.

Zoonoses experts point out that a variety of risks can be associated with allowing your pet to sleep on your mattress with you. Zoonoses are diseases and infections that can be transmitted from animals to people, these include parasites and the plague. These risks are most severe for people with compromised immune systems and children. Infections can be transmitted when pets lick humans or sleep next to them. Cats tend to sleep with their owners more commonly than dogs, which is likely due to the fact that cats tend to be lighter and smaller in size. Studies have revealed that diseases from cats are much more prevalent and in nature, these can be much more severe than those that can be obtained through close contact with dogs. One example of a disease that cats can transmit is cat scratch disease which is caused by Bartonella henselae and is a bacterial infection that starts with infected fleas. Cats can pass this infection on to humans simply by licking them.

In addition to the infections that can be transmitted when humans and animals share a bed, sleeping with your pets can also impact your sleep. Pets can scratch and wiggle throughout the night which can be a major source of irritation, especially when your pet is larger in size. Ultimately, this can be a lot like sharing your bed with another adult - one with sharp nails, different sleep patterns and restless behavior.

Alternatively, some people believe that there are a number of benefits to be gained by letting your dog or cat sleep with you, such as the alleviation of depression. Some individuals believe that sleeping with their animals helps them to fall asleep more rapidly by helping them to feel relaxed and safe. People who live by themselves enjoy having the companionship of a pet during the night hours and sometimes find that they get better sleep when they do. Whether you choose to sleep with your pet is entirely up to you, but it is vital to remain aware of the risks of letting your cat or dog sleep with you before doing so.

By: S. Oster

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