The Dos and Don’ts of Sleeping with Your Pet
More than 31 million Americans sleep with their pet in bed with them, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC offers a number of convincing reasons why we shouldn’t wear a cat like a h
airpiece for eight hours a night, including fleas, ticks, ringworm and a variety of zoonoses (diseases spread by animals)—but pet lovers aren’t always rational.
Sharing a bed with your pet deepens the bond between the two of you, and in some cases, it’s just plain easier. If you’re one of the millions of pet parents who prefer to sleep with a fur-baby at your side, do yourself a favor and follow these tips:
Be the Boss
Don’t allow your pets to claim the bed as their territory, or you may find yourself clinging to an inch of space on the edge of the mattress. Maintain the chain of command. Train pets to get on and off the bed at your command. Granted, this is bigger challenge with cats, but it shouldn’t be too difficult with dogs. Waiting until they’re invited reinforces that the bed is your space and you’re the master of it. When you say “off,” pets should get off immediately and stay off until invited again.
The easiest way to “be the boss” is to have a comfortable pet bed available in your room for your pet. You can choose from a cuddler, a bolster or a nest bed. An older pet would appreciate an orthopedic dog bed. Whatever style you choose, your pet will be more likely to not sleep in your bed, if he has a bed to call his own.
Shop Smart
Don’t buy expensive linens or dry-clean only bedding. Frequent washing is the key when sleeping with pets. All your linens should be safe in hot water and bleach.
Do buy the best mattress you can afford, especially if your pets are heavy. On average, a mattress should be replaced every 5-7 years, but if you have large pets that regularly jump on and off your bed, you may need to replace it sooner. You can compare mattress types at macys.com, and make sure to look for mattresses that have several layers of dense foam that can stand up to the extra wear of busy pets.
Be Safe
Don’t let small or older dogs jump on or off the bed without assistance. Use a set of doggie steps to make it safe and easy for your pets to get up and down. Pet MD reports that some small breeds such as Shih Tzus, dachsunds and beagles are prone to back injuries, due to their elongated spine and short legs. Jumping off furniture is an unsafe activity for these breeds. Older dogs may also be more at risk for injury from jumping due to arthritis or joint problems. Avoid using area rugs that slip and slide on the floor near your bed, and keep the area where your pet enters the bed safe for everyone’s use.
If you have problems to fall asleep without your pet or have a high tendency of anxiety attacks before going to bed you might want to use a natural supplement, such as kratom powder, which is very effective to deal with imsomnia, stress and anxiety. You can find kratom powder for sale on SacredKratom.com.
Humans rarely contract illnesses from healthy, well-cared for pets. People who love their pets enough to sleep with them are probably more likely to keep their pets groomed and current on all vaccines. The most serious problem you’re likely to encounter from sleeping with pets is a crowded bed or a cacophony of snores, but if you should develop an unusual rash or unexplained illness, take your pet to the vet and yourself to the doctor—just to be safe.