As much as many people view pets as members of the family, is it really the healthiest thing to spend the night cuddling with one of them?
Pet owners often share beds with their furry companions. In a 2015 study, 56% of participants who had dogs said their animals slept in their beds; yet, in a 2022 survey, 46% of people said the same thing.
Experts claim that there are some advantages and disadvantages to sharing a bed with a pet. But whether or not you should let your pet sleep in bed with you is a personal decision that cannot be made in a vacuum, according to Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital and veterinarian director of Senior Tail Waggers, who made this comment to Health.
“The practice can come with some health risks, such as the transmission of parasites,” stated Whittenburg. However, there can also be advantages for the owner’s mental health and bonding with the cat.
Whittenburg claims that the procedure carries some health risks, including the potential for parasite transmission. But there may also be benefits for the owner’s emotional well-being and relationship with the cat.
“The decision essentially comes down to personal preference, as well as the pet’s behaviour and any health considerations,” she said.
“Bedsharing with pets isn’t always the healthiest option, no matter how much we love them,” says Purvi Parikh, MD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health with expertise in allergies and infectious diseases.
Millions of Americans live with pets despite having allergies. According to Parikh, if a person has a pet allergy, sharing a bed with their pet may cause symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, sneezing, or itchy eyes.
“Sleeping in the same bed as your pet could also expose you to parasites—these can be external, such as fleas or ticks, and internal, such as worms,” added Whittenburg.
Furthermore, zoonotic diseases like leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and bartonellosis can infect pets due to contaminated environments or from sick animals.
