According to a study my team recently published in Scientific Reports, sleeping in the same room as your dog can negatively impact your sleep quality.
We recruited a nationally representative sample of more than 1,500 American adults who completed a questionnaire assessing their sleep habits. Overall, about half of the participants reported co-sleeping with their pets. This is defined in our study as sleeping in the same room as your pet for at least part of the night.
Next, our research team compared the sleep habits of those who co-slept with their pets and those who did not. Our analysis revealed that participants who co-slept with their pets had poorer sleep quality and more symptoms of insomnia than those who did not. These findings persisted even after accounting for demographic differences between these groups. Considering the type of pet, we found evidence that co-sleeping with a dog has a negative impact on sleep, but we found no evidence that co-sleeping with a cat has a negative impact on sleep.
Surprisingly, 93% of people in our study who co-slept with a pet believed that their pet had either an overall positive or neutral influence on their sleep. Although more research is needed, these findings may suggest that most people are unaware of the potential negative effects pets have on sleep.
why is it important
Most pet owners report that their pets have an overall positive impact on their mental health. Pets can improve their owners' health in many ways during the day, including encouraging physical activity, facilitating daily routines, and providing love and companionship.
However, our study fills an important knowledge gap by showing that co-sleeping with a pet can impact sleep quality. Good sleep is a pillar of good health. Pets can have an overall positive impact on your mental health, but some of this benefit may be diminished if they also cause you to get a poor night's sleep.
While some people report that co-sleeping with their pets provides a sense of comfort and intimacy with their pets, those who share a bedroom with their pets also note that their pets can be a source of noise, heat, and noise at night. It's important to realize that. Movements that can interfere with your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.
What is not known yet
Although survey-based studies like ours cannot prove that co-sleeping with a pet causes sleep problems, there is some evidence to suggest that it may be the case.
One important factor not assessed in our study was whether participants co-slept with other people, such as spouses or children. Previous research has shown that sharing a bed with others can also affect sleep, and that the mental health benefits of owning a pet may be stronger for people who have a significant other. It is suggested.
what's next
It's probably not realistic for most people to stop co-sleeping with their pets. So what should people who already share their beds with pets do to improve their sleep?
Expert tips include choosing a mattress that's big enough for you and your pet, washing and changing bedding regularly, and establishing and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine with your pet. It will be. Further research is needed to identify more specific habits and routines that owners can adopt to ensure a good night's sleep when sharing a bedroom with their pet.
This editorial article has been republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License.read Original work.
