House that Barks

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Lifestyle
    • Dog Safety
  • Health
  • Recipes
    • Dog Biscuit Recipes
    • Frozen Dog Treats
    • Cupcakes for Dogs
    • Air Fryer Dog Treats Recipes
    • Food Facts
  • Training
  • Travel
  • Pets Printable's Library
    • Crafts
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Lifestyle
      • Dog Safety
    • Health
    • Recipes
      • Dog Biscuit Recipes
      • Frozen Dog Treats
      • Cupcakes for Dogs
      • Air Fryer Dog Treats Recipes
      • Food Facts
    • Training
    • Travel
    • Pets Printable's Library
      • Crafts
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Lifestyle

    Should I let my Dog Sleep in my Bed?

    Published: Apr 21, 2020 · Modified: Sep 26, 2021 by Ruby Doodle Dog · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Please share Woof!

    170 shares
    • Facebook10
    • Twitter
    dog sleep in bed pin
    Dog sleeping in my bed 2

    Do you let your dog sleep with you? Have you thought about letting your dog sleep with you? Should I let my dog sleep in my bed?


    Good news! Sleeping with your dog! It’s perfectly safe! 

    Not only is it perfectly safe, but according to recent research published by the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, it may improve your sleep. 

    I admit, both Ruby and Callie sleep with me at night. Ruby is a Mini Goldendoodle and hardly takes any room. Plus, she sleeps in one spot every night. I honestly don’t even know she’s in the bed. 

    Then there’s Callie, my Labrador Retriever! Oh Vey! She sleeps in the bed with me and Ruby. She’s 70 lbs at 8 months old!

    Because she’s a big girl, she takes up one side of the bed! And shuffles around at night. But she’s part of the pack, so on the bed she’s allowed. 



    Is It A Good Idea To Sleep With Your Dog?


    dog in bed


    It can be a difficult decision. Research has shown that less than one-half of dog owners share their bed with their dogs at night. 

    Pet owners have always been advised not to sleep with your dogs because it can cause behavioral issues or could lead to illness with your pets. You’ve probably even been told by a well-meaning person, your dog should sleep on the floor or in a crate. 

    Today, many pet professionals believe that concerns over these issues are overstated or are incorrect. 

    According to recent research, the many benefits outweigh the cons of sleeping with your dog. 



    Does Sleeping With Your Dog Cause Behavior Issues?


    dog sleeping


    Despite what you’ve heard, letting your dog sleep with you does not cause behavioral issues. 



    Questions to ask yourself are: 


    1. Do you mind your dog on your bed? On your couch? 
    2. Do you mind dog hair on furniture? 
    3. Are you comfortable sleeping with your dog by your feet?
    4. If your dog jumps down and sleeps on the floor in the middle of the night, will it disrupt your sleep?

    If you don’t mind these minor inconveniences, then your dog will love your bed as much as you do. 

    If you think it will bother you, you can place a dog bed with one of your t-shirts over the bed so your dog can enjoy your scent while sleeping separately. 

    My Lab puppy gets hot at night, so she will randomly get down to sleep on the floor. The first night I felt her getting off, but I never even notice anymore. 



    Is It Okay For Children To Share A Bed With A Dog? 


    Just like parents, children always want to the dog to sleep with them. But is it safe? 

    Every parent/child is an individual decision. Before a child should sleep alone with a dog, they should show they can handle the responsibility. 


    • 1. Are they pulling a pet's tail?
    • 2. Are they playing too rough with the dog? 

    Pulling tails or rough play shows that kids are not mature enough to handle letting a dog sleep in their bed.

    In the beginning a parent should keep a close watch on a child to make sure they are using good judgement when they feed, water, play or walk a dog. 

    The general census is that is best to wait until a child is at least 6 years old before allowing your dog to sleep alone with a child. 



    Dogs should never sleep with babies.



    Can I Catch Something Letting my Dog Sleep in my Bed? 


    dog sleeping


    The biggest question is, can I catch something by letting my dog sleep in my bed?

    The answer is, it would be very rare to catch something from your dog as long as you and your dog are in good health. 



    What does “Good Health” mean? 


    Good health means: 


    • No fleas
    • No ticks
    • No parasites
    • No illnesses
    • Up-to-date on vaccines
    • Regular yearly vet checkups


    The reason your veterinarian wants to see your dog every year is so they can identify any risks so you and your pet don’t get sick.

    The average healthy dog has a very low risk of spreading an illness to its human. 

    For people in good health, sleeping with a dog provides comfort knowing that your dog is close-by.

    People with cancer, transplant recipients or H.I.V. positive people should not sleep with their dogs. 



    My Opinion On Letting a Dog Sleep in my Bed.


    If you and your dog are healthy, go ahead! Sleep with your dog! I do. 

    Co-sleeping with your dog is not only comforting for them and for you, it can also ease anxiety and give you that feeling of safety and security. 

    Your dogs are light-sleepers and will sound the alarm if they hear anything out of the ordinary, so you can rest knowing your dogs are guarding you and your home. 

    Dogs are also the perfect bed warmer on those cold winter nights. 



    Should I let my Dog Sleep in my Bed?


    More Lifestyle

    • Dog Trend Names
      2025 Dog Names Trends
    • Pets in hurricanes
      How to Help Pets in Hurricanes
    • Hiking with dogs in summer heat
      Hiking with Dogs in the Summer Heat
    • keep dogs cool in summer
      How To Keep Dogs Cool In Summer

    Please share Woof!

    170 shares
    • Facebook10
    • Twitter

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ruby

    Hi, I'm Ruby! I'm a Mini Goldendoodle. I'm your local recipe taste tester, bed hog, and I love my sister, Callie.

    More about me →



    Popular Posts

    • storing homemade dog treats
      How To Store Homemade Dog Treats
    • Puppy Fritattas
      Puppy Frittatas: Homemade Dog Treats
    • Can dogs eat pumpkin seeds
      Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Seeds
    • stop dog barking
      How To Stop Dog Barking


    Popular Frozen Dog Treat Recipes


    • Cinnamon Swirl Treats
      Frozen Cinnamon Swirl Puppy Treats
    • homemade pumpkin frozen dog treats
      2 Ingredient Frozen Pumpkin Yogurt Dog Treats
    • watermelon and carob pup pops
      Frozen Watermelon and Carob Pup Pops
    • banana yogurt
      Bones and Paws Banana Yogurt Flax Dog Treats
    • cucumber frozen
      Cucumber Yogurt Frozen Puppy Dog Treats
    • Chocolate base
      Homemade Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs


    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Nutrition Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    ● Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About


    Articles may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from House that Barks.

    Copyright © 2018 -2025 House that Barks! Woof!