Big dogs, small dogs, fluffy dogs, whatever type of dog it is, they’re all loyal companions. The question is: do women sleep better with their dogs on their beds? Does it matter what type of dog it is? Let’s find out.
There are plenty of articles out there that give amazing reasons why sleeping with a human partner is the best thing. Since these studies show that couples who sleep in the same bed live longer and have reduced stress levels, it’s easy for those who don’t have anyone sleeping next to them to feel left out. It doesn’t matter if it’s from being single or a partner not being around at that moment. The bottom line is that everyone wants to live long and not be stressed out as well.
So what then is the solution? Teddy bears? Hug your pillow tight? Not quite. How about get a dog? Bingo!
Even science agrees
A recent study by a team at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, has shown that there are numerous benefits to sleeping next to your dog. This study focused on women and has enough facts and figures to convince you to hop on the bandwagon.
Published in the Anthrozoos journal, the study is titled “An Examination of Adult Women’s Sleep Quality and Sleep Routines in Relation to Pet Ownership and Bedsharing.” [1]
The study explains the benefits women get from sharing their beds with their dogs. The researchers conducted an online survey in which they collected data from 962 adult women living in the United States. Fifty-five percent shared their beds with at least one dog, while 31 percent with at least one cat. Also, there was an additional 57 percent who shared their beds with a human partner.
They went ahead to investigate the relationship between human sleep and having pets. Findings assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) did not necessarily show a strong relationship between bed-sharing with pets and sleep quality.
Don’t worry, there’s more
However, other measures employed in the study showed that dogs and cats sleep may affect not just sleep habits but notions of sleep quality. It was also shown that women who sleep beside their dogs woke up earlier than those who had just cats. In comparison to human bed partners, canine bed partners were shown to disturb their bedmate less.
A quote from the article’s abstract says, “Compared with human bed partners, dogs who slept in the owner’s bed were perceived to disturb sleep less and were associated with stronger feelings of comfort and security. Conversely, cats who slept in their owner’s bed were reported to be equally as disruptive as human partners and were associated with weaker feelings of comfort and security than both human and dog bed partners.” [2]
Can you blame them? Since ancient times, dogs have been used as guardians and protectors of people and property. There are also watchdogs that bark loudly to notify their owners of intruders. [3] So it does make sense to sleep better if you feel like you have a personal bodyguard by your side.
What else do you stand to gain?
If you still aren’t convinced by the percentages from the study, here are some more benefits of sleeping with your dog aside from an improved sense of security.
Sleeping on the same bed with your dog will improve the emotional bond you both share and strengthen it. This is as opposed to having them sleep outside your room. So, if you work all day, sleeping might be an extra way to spend time with your pet.
Sharing a bed with your dog can be a great substitute for a partner that’s away for the time being. Pets, in general, promote calmness and help people who have anxiety disorders and insomnia sleep better.
Their body heat can provide some warmth for you, especially since they have a higher body temperature than humans do, like your own canine heating blanket. Also, the breathing of your dog next to you can be somewhat soothing.
For security, comfort, company, bonding, it cannot be overemphasized how beneficial it is to share your bed with your dog. Nevertheless, you can describe it as some sort of an acquired taste. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your sleeping space with a dog, then, by all means, do not do it. They are animals after all, and random licks to the face during the night is more than enough to freak you out.
Ultimately, it’s all about perception. Remember the study was based on data received from individual opinions that could have been biased. It was also based on an average of responses. However, you can try it out and see if it works for you.
Hopefully, you get a good night’s rest with your dog by your side.
References:
- Study Suggests Women Who Share Their Beds with Dogs Sleep Better People Magazine. November 2018
- “An Examination of Adult Women’s Sleep Quality and Sleep Routines in Relation to Pet Ownership and Bedsharing“, ResearchGate. November 2018.
- “Best Guard Dogs: Protective Breeds and Classifications“, Protect America. September 2018.