Do you sleep with your Dog or Cat in bed? You are not alone!
According to a survey conducted by Agria Petinsure, nearly two-thirds of dog and cat owners in Ireland sleep alongside their pets in bed.
The dog and cat owners who took part in the survey were asked if they allow their dogs and cats to sleep in their beds. Among dog owners, 47% were willing to allow their dogs to sleep in their beds, while 56% of cat owners expressed a higher level of comfort with their cats sharing their beds.
Divided opinions
Is it good or bad to share a bed with your four-legged friend? The opinions on this are many and divided. Here, Agria Petinsure lists arguments both for and against, so you can decide for yourself what you think is right.
Advantages
1. It can provide better sleep because you feel calm and safe.
2. Stress and anxiety are reduced when your animal induces happy hormones in you.
3. You feel less lonely.
4. On cold nights, your pet can be the best hot water bottle there is.
5. When you wake up from nightmares, it's easier to settle down again.
6. It can strengthen the relationship between you and your animal
7. The dog and cat love it
Disadvantages
1. It can give you poorer sleep if the animal is restless or suddenly wants to play in the middle of the night.
2. You might find fur, sand, and dirt in the bed. The fur of the dog or cat could potentially harbor bird fleas or ticks.
3. On warm nights, it gets even warmer with another being in bed.
4. The bed's elevated humidity and temperature can provide an ideal environment for house dust mites, which thrive under these conditions and primarily feed on dead skin cells, among other substances.
5. The presence of a dog or cat in the bed may lead to limited space, potentially resulting in an uncomfortable sleeping position.
6. Sharing your bed with pets may require frequent changes of bed linens to maintain hygiene.
So which team are you on? Team 'Ofcourse, I will let my pet sleep in my bed' or 'No, never letting my pet in my bed'.
The survey was carried out in March 2023 by Xtreme Insight on behalf of Agria Petinsure. 810 dog and cat owners took part in the survey.
Agria is one of the world’s leading pet insurers. Agria Petinsure was established in Ireland in 2023 and is now a prominent feature of the Irish pet insurance industry, providing insurance for cats and dogs. Our mission is to provide the best care for pets and peace of mind for their owners by providing insurance solutions.
