Sleeping With Your Dog In Your Bed Is Actually Really Good For You, Study Finds
Published
Featured Image Credit: Pexels
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in people wanting to adopt dog. With so many dogs in new homes, a study has found that not only are dogs great companions, but allowing your dog to sleep with you in bed is actually beneficial for your sleeping pattern.
Researchers at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, found that dogs make great bedtime cuddle buddies in addition to being man's undisputed best friend.
Scientists surveyed 962 women living in America about their sleeping habits. The research found that 57 per cent of the women polled slept with another human, while 31 per cent shared their bed with a cat and 55 per cent slept alongside a dog.
According to the study, women who sleep with a dog were more likely to get a more restful night's sleep than those who opted to share their bed with a cat or human.
So, cosying up next to a canine will get you a better night's sleep than sleeping next to another human. The study also found that those who slept next to their pet pooch were more likely to go to bed earlier and emerge from the warmth of their covers earlier too.
The study explains: "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."
In yet another win for dogs, they seem to be much less disruptive than their feline friends. The study revealed that cats happen to be just as disruptive in bed as human partners. Cats were also "were associated with weaker feelings of comfort and security than both human and dog bed partners."
Pets are clearly an important source of comfort and joy for their owners - however, many owners have to choose between keeping their pet or their home. Landlords are often unwelcoming towards their tenant's pets, with many barring them completely. However, a new law could give tenants the right to keep pets in their privately rented accommodation.
The proposed bill has been dubbed Jasmine's law, after a Weimaraner dog that was owned by a family from Surrey was not allowed to live in their rented house. Now that we all spend more time at home than ever before, an increasing number of people have been looking to add a pet pooch to their family to keep them company.
The call for a change in the law is being led by Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, who said last month: "Sadly, pet owners moving into rented accommodation face the reality that their family could be torn apart because most landlords have unnecessary bans on pet ownership."
There is growing cross-party support for the bill, and a second reading is scheduled for 29th January 2021.
