So, is it a good or bad idea to have animals in bed with you? I interviewed sleep specialists, allergists and animal behavior specialists. Here’s what they think.
The benefits of sleeping with them are probably obvious to many pet owners. It can provide comfort and social support. And for some people, sleeping with their pet can help reduce anxiety and benefit their mental health.
Another benefit concerns allergies. Research suggests that if you’re exposed to cats before the age of one, you’re less likely to develop an allergy to them, although that’s not a guarantee, says Russell B. Leftwich, MD, assistant specialist. assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
However, if you are already allergic to your pets, you probably should not sleep with them because it can lead to symptoms such as itchy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy or irritated eyes, coughing, itching in the mouth or throat, fatigue. , or difficulty sleeping. If you have asthma, the situation could get worse due to increased exposure to allergens, says Melanie Carver, mission director for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
And if you’re allergic to pollen, avoid having pets in the bedroom, as their fur can trap and carry pollen.
Besides allergies, other things to consider include your pet’s potential for illnesses transmitted by fleas, ticks and parasites, says Terri Bright, PhD, director of behavioral services at MSPCA-Angell, a non-profit organization that protects animals.
Having an animal in your bed can pose physical risks in some cases. If you have a new puppy or kitten, it’s best not to sleep with it, as you could roll over and accidentally crush or suffocate it. It’s also possible that the pet could fall out of bed and injure itself, says Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, senior veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York.
But does this affect sleep quality?
Little research has been done on co-sleeping with pets, but some studies suggest it may have a negative effect on sleep quality, says Leisha J. Cuddihy, PhD, a clinical psychologist in behavioral sleep medicine and assistant professor of psychiatry at the university. University of Rochester Medical Center.
A research review found that many people believe their pets help them sleep by providing comfort, although they also report that their pets wake them up at night.
“Just like sharing the bed with a romantic partner, you need to find a situation that is both beneficial for you and your pet,” says Alicia Roth, PhD, a clinical health psychologist at the Sleep Disorders Center at the Cleveland Clinic .
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