Some unwanted pet behaviors may be a result of these types of permits.
Photo: Chris Leipelt on Unsplash – Chris Leipelt on Unsplash
While some small animals, such as hamsters, may have behaviors such as biting objects or escaping, and their training can be complicated, making sleeping with them unwise, With larger, more domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, the decision to share a bed is often a matter of personal preference. While pets provide comfort and affection, doing so can cause allergies or difficulty falling asleep. Therefore, owners should weigh the benefits and risks before deciding whether to allow their pet to sleep with them.
The National Sleep Foundation, an American organization specialized in health and rest, points out that some people choose to have dogs to feel safe and secure. Service dogs, in particular, can provide emotional support to individuals with disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder by detecting signs of nightmares and waking the affected person, thereby interrupting the episode and providing relief.
Gabriel Rojas, a veterinarian at the Ottovet veterinary clinic in Bogotá, assures that there are usually no negative effects on people who decide to sleep with their dogs, as long as the owners do not have an allergic reaction to them. Even today, there are foods that prevent some animals, such as cats, from releasing a protein to avoid allergic reactions in animals. “My son sleeps with the pet every day, and there has been no impediment to this,” explains Gabriel.
Some unwanted pet behaviors can be a result of this type of permission, as the vet explains. Letting them sleep in bed or eat in the room can result in behavioral problems, so it should be developed with some precautions. “However, in general, this usually has more positive results than negative ones,” explains the expert.
The National Sleep Foundation states that having a pet can be beneficial in several ways. These companions can reduce anxiety and feelings of loneliness, alleviate mental health problems and contribute to emotional regulation, providing meaning and purpose in life. This is because unconditional love from a pet can increase oxytocin levels in adults and reduce cortisol levels in children, associated with relaxation and stress reduction.
Physical contact with a pet appears to have a significant relaxing effect, which explains why snuggling with a dog can calm the mind and promote tranquility. Many people claim that sleeping with their pet improves the quality of their sleep. In fact, several studies have suggested that people who have pets are less likely to rely on sleep medications compared to those who do not have animal companions.
In addition to the emotional benefits, pets also positively impact physical health. According to the National Sleep Foundation, owning a pet has been shown to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as blood pressure. Dog ownership, in particular, is linked to a lower risk of mortality, possibly due to these positive effects on the cardiovascular system.
