There are several reasons why you should never share your bed with your dog.
Even though you might think it absolutely adorable!
Continue reading why that is the case, and how you can move away from this habit.
Why You Should Never Share Your Bed With Your Dog
44.5% of Americans own dogs. Almost half of them allow their dog to sleep in their bed. Waking up next to a beloved canine companion can be quite cozy, but it’s not without health risks.
Health Hazards Spread by Pets
A veterinarian reveals that sleeping with your pet can expose you to several diseases. Pets can transmit ringworm, tapeworm, scabies, fleas, parasites, and bacteria from urine and feces that cling to their fur to humans.
Moreover, one in four dogs is infected with dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can make humans very ill. Therefore, it’s essential to wash our hands regularly if we own a pet.
However, handwashing isn’t enough if many people let their dogs lick their faces. These behaviors increase the risk of potential disease transmission. Hence, take precautions when interacting with your dog.
Do You Have Asthma?
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation does not advise dog owners to share a bed with their pets. Although there’s no direct evidence suggesting that pets in the bed increase allergy risks, sleeping with them can raise allergen levels in the bedding.
An advisory chief at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, states that while there’s no proof that more allergens increase the risk of allergies, it’s “common sense” to keep pets out of bed.
Children Are Most at Risk
Numerous videos on the internet show dogs sleeping with or licking young children’s faces. While these moments seem adorable, in reality, children are often the most vulnerable to diseases transmitted by pets.
This is mainly because children’s immune systems aren’t as developed as adults’. Parents should think twice about letting their pets sleep in a child’s bed.
“It’s logical that children are at a higher risk of infection. The barriers between the pet and the child are fewer, meaning they have more contact than adults. Children are also unaware of the potential risks,”
Disrupting Your Sleep Cycle
Pets don’t sleep the same way humans do, so it’s common for them to move around during the night, which can disrupt many owners’ sleep.
You might not notice it, but the chances of your deep sleep getting disrupted at night are high if you have a pet lying beside you.
How to Train Your Pet Not to Sleep in Your Bed
In summary, it’s best to let your pet sleep on the floor or in a basket. It’s not as difficult as it sounds.
If you want to wean your dog off sleeping in the bed, do it gradually. Start by having the pet lie in a basket or on a blanket next to your bed.
For a calming effect, put your hand down next to your pet. Over the next two weeks, gradually move the basket or blanket further away from the bed.
Eventually, you can move the pet’s sleeping spot out of your bedroom, which will undoubtedly improve your night’s sleep.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I’ve tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
