Do you really know? Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?
Mar 24, 2026
A quick look at evidence linking pet bed-sharing to disrupted sleep and situations where a pet at the foot of the bed may help anxiety. A rundown of hygiene and zoonotic concerns, plus who might be most vulnerable. A short exploration of early-life pet exposure and allergy or asthma links. A final note that it often comes down to personal health and pet behavior.
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Pets Can Help Or Hurt Your Sleep
- Sleeping with pets can both harm and help sleep quality depending on pet behavior and position in bed.
- A University of Kansas study linked nightly co-sleeping to sleep disorders, while Mayo Clinic found benefits if the pet stays at the foot of the bed.
Why Pets Often Disturb Sleep
- Pets disrupt sleep by raising body temperature, making noise, and moving because their sleep cycles differ from ours.
- Cats are especially problematic because they are more nocturnal and active at night.
Keep Your Pet At The Foot Of The Bed
- Try keeping the animal at the foot of the bed to gain psychological comfort without as much disruption.
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2017 found bedroom animals can improve sleep if they remain at the foot of the bed.