Do you like to cuddle up with your cat or dog while you sleep? A sleep psychologist weighs in on whether that's a good idea.
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CLEVELAND – If you own a cat or dog it may be tempting to cuddle up with them in bed while you’re sleeping.
But, is that healthy to do?
“There’s no right or wrong answer for this. It really depends on your comfort as the human and your pet’s comfort and what’s best for them,” said Alicia Roth, PhD, sleep psychologist for Cleveland Clinic. “And that might be a learning process when you first get your pet.”
Dr. Roth said if your pet is constantly jumping up and down from the bed, making noises or otherwise distracting, it may not be a good idea to sleep with them.
She knows it might be nice to have them by your side, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your sleep, which is important to your overall health.
However, if you and your furry friend have found a comfortable arrangement when sleeping, then she doesn’t see an issue.
In fact, for some people it could actually be beneficial.
Animals can offer a source of comfort and security – making you feel calmer.
“And on the pet side too, it can provide them with great emotional comfort and security,” said Dr. Roth. “For some people, their pet is like an alarm for waking up in the morning, or an alarm for something happening in the house, or an intruder, or any activity outside, so there are lots of benefits to sleeping with your pet.”
What if your partner doesn’t like the idea of having a pet in bed?
Dr. Roth said the key is communication.
It’s best to talk out any concerns so you can reach some kind of solution.
