Why shouldn't you sleep with your dog? It's a question you may be asking if you share a close relationship with your canine companion and like the idea of snuggling up with them at night.
Or perhaps you'd prefer to sleep alone but you hate the thought of sending your pup off to their own sleeping quarters. Even if you've invested in one of the best dog beds money can buy, it's easy to get an attack of the guilts when your pup looks up at you with those big, sad eyes.
Whatever situation you find yourself in, we wanted to find out whether having your dog sleep with you is a good idea or not, so we sought the advice of expert vet, Dr Rebecca MacMillan.
Below, she explains the potential risks and benefits of letting your dog share your bed with you and reveals why she advises pet parents to avoid sleeping with their pups. Read on to find out more...
Why shouldn't you sleep with your dog?
If you love your pup to bits and can't imagine life without them, you may be wondering why you shouldn't sleep with them. Perhaps having them spend the night in another room or in a dog bed on the floor beside you seems mean, or maybe you simply like the comfort of having your fur friend snuggled up beside you.
On the other hand, you could be in a relationship and finding yourself at odds with your partner – if they want your dog to sleep in your bed and you don't, you may be wondering if there's any hard science out there that suggests this isn't a good idea. Good news, there is!
Whether you're keen to share your bed with your dog but unsure if it's a healthy choice, or you want to find reasons to back up the fact that sleeping with your pup isn't for you, we've got you covered. Here are five reasons why sleeping with your dog is a bad idea.
1. Poor sleep quality
According to a 2024 study published in Scientific Reports, pet owners who slept with their fur friends (both dogs and cats) reported poorer sleep quality and greater insomnia severity.
"Sleeping with your pet can lead to poor quality sleep for both you and them," Dr. MacMillan confirms. "It’s easy to see how a big dog in your bed might interrupt your sleep, but smaller ones can be just as problematic.
"Many like lying on their owners for warmth, which can lead to a bad night’s sleep, especially if you are a light sleeper."
2. Risk of parasites
The best flea treatments for dogs do a brilliant job of keeping pesky parasites at bay – but only if you keep on top of them.
"If you don’t treat your dog at regular intervals with an effective anti-parasite product, then they could be harboring fleas, mites, ticks, or worms," says Dr. MacMillan. "And you certainly don’t want to be sharing your bed with any of those!"
3. Increase in allergy symptoms
Allergic to dogs? Hopefully that's not the case if you have a fur friend in your family, but some people with mild allergies still find they can live with a pet as long as they're careful.
However, according to Dr. MacMillan, one thing you absolutely want to avoid doing if you have allergies is sleeping with your dog.
"Increased levels of hair and pet dander in the bedroom can cause real problems for asthma and allergy sufferers. Sleeping with your pet can worsen your symptoms."
4. Dirt and other germs
Just like humans, there are plenty of common illnesses dogs get. While most of these aren't going to pose us any problems, they're still not things you want to be getting up close and personal with.
"Even though they may not look too bad, dogs are not clean," says Dr. MacMillan. "They bring in all sorts of germs and dirt on their paws and in their fur, which can end up in your bed. This can be a particular issue for immunocompromised owners."
5. Dog sleep reactivity
Most pet parents are familiar with the sort of reactivity in dogs that happens during the day – lunging while on their leash, barking at passersby, growling when they see a car, bicycle or other triggering object. But did you know that sleep reactivity is also a thing?
"Some dogs don’t react well to being woken up suddenly," explains Dr. MacMillan. "They might startle easily due to their temperament or because they have a sensory issue like deafness or blindness. This could lead to a groggy dog snapping at you in the night when you accidentally roll into them the wrong way."
Benefits of sleeping with your dog
While we've likely made sleeping with your dog sound all doom and gloom, we promise that's not the full picture. Yes, sleeping with your dog does come with risks, but if you're someone who love snuggling up with your fur friend at night, you'll be pleased to learn there are some benefits, too!
1. Comfort
In a 2018 study published in Anthrozoös, researchers collected data from 962 women and found that they slept better with a dog in their bed. The reason? Their canine companions provided them with a sense of comfort and security.
"Sleeping in close proximity to another living thing can bring comfort and security to both parties," confirms Dr. MacMillan.
Because the study was observational in nature, more research is needed to see if those feelings of comfort and security translate into better sleep quality.
2. Better emotional health
Dogs are some of the best emotional support animals, and it's not hard to see why. They offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits and their soothing presence can do wonders for improving our mood.
"Some owners report better emotional health due to co-sleeping with their dog," Dr. MacMillan says. "They find that it helps reduce stress and anxiety, as well as combating loneliness."
3. Improved physical health
Dogs aren't just great for our emotional health, being around them can work wonders for our physical wellbeing, too.
"With an improvement in emotional health often comes an improvement in physical health," Dr. MacMillan confirms. "Some owners report that sleeping with their pet reduces their heart rate and blood pressure."
4. Better sleep quality
While several studies, including one published in Human-Animal Interactions in 2023, suggest that sleeping with a pet may negatively affect sleep quality, some people find it does the reverse, helping them to get a better night's sleep.
"For owners who struggle with anxiety or depression, sleeping with a dog can make them feel much calmer, leading to better sleep quality," says Dr. MacMillan. "Symptoms such as insomnia can be improved."
5. It can strengthen your bond
Looking for ways to improve your relationship with your dog? Some people find that sleeping with their pup deepens their connection.
"It can strengthen your bond with your pet, by sharing this quiet time in each other’s company," explains Dr. MacMillan. "Just make sure your pet learns how to be by themselves too, as separation anxiety can be a real problem in dog’s that are never apart from their owner."
Should I sleep with my dog?
Given there are both potential risks and benefits to sharing your bed with your dog, you may be wondering whether sleeping with them is the right thing to do. Here's what Dr. MacMillan has to say:
"As a vet, I would personally advise you to avoid sharing your bed with your dog. There are many reasons why it might not be great for your health, and this doesn’t just apply to allergy sufferers. It could also lead to behavioral issues in your dog.
"I have first-hand experience with dogs that have become territorial over their owner’s bed and ones that have growled and reactively snapped in the middle of the night. I have also had small puppies brought into the practice with broken limbs from falling off a bed, so co-sleeping is not without risk.
"If you feel you need to be close to your dog at night then I would suggest encouraging them to sleep in their own bed, on your bedroom floor. You will both get a better night’s sleep with a bit of personal space.
"Also, having a dog’s exposed bottom and dirty coat on my bedding is not that appealing to me personally, but maybe I know too much!!"
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to h––ave recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation). She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Megan Milstead.
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This page was last updated on March 14.
