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Should Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed? Vet-Verified Pros, Cons & Issues

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Dogster Team

Man sleeping with jack russell terrier dog in his hands

Should Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed? Vet-Verified Pros, Cons & Issues

VET APPROVED

Dr. Lauren Demos  Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Lauren Demos

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Dog parents everywhere are divided on whether or not cozying up with our faithful pooches at night is a good idea. While some don’t hesitate to let their dog hop onto (or even into, in some cases) their bed, for others, it’s a great big no.

There’s no straight yes or no answer to the question “Should I let my dog sleep in my bed?” because it all depends on your preferences, your dog’s behavior, and both your health and theirs. Let’s explore the topic of letting dogs sleep on beds and weigh up the pros and cons.

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The 3 Benefits of Letting Your Dog Sleep with You

1. Bonding & Companionship

The main advantage of letting your dog sleep with you is that it’s a great bonding experience. You are sharing your safe, cozy space with your dog, which is quite an honor to bestow! This offers both you and your dog a sense of safety and companionship.

dog owner in bed with two cute dogs all sleeping
Image Credit: Javier Brosch, Shutterstock

2. Emotional Support

To add to the point above, having a dog to snuggle up to at night may be of particular benefit to people who are experiencing conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or a sleep disorder. In some cases, this arrangement can help a person sleep more soundly.


3. Extra Warmth

Extra warmth during winter is a major benefit, but bear in mind that your dog’s proximity to you in bed may be more of an issue in summer!

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The 5 Disadvantages of Letting Your Dog Sleep with You

1. Allergies

Sleeping with a dog may increase allergy symptoms in those who suffer from allergies and—as explained by VCA Animal Hospitals—even those who do not have allergies. Allergy symptoms are triggered by a protein in the dander (dead skin flakes) that dogs shed, and dogs deposit this on surfaces around your home as well as on furniture and bedding.

Using HEPA filters and sticking to daily cleaning routines like vacuuming and wiping down surfaces as well as washing bedding frequently may help sufferers manage their symptoms, but whether or not you can sleep with your dog depends on the severity of your allergy.

senior golden retriever dog sleeping
Image Credit: Yobab, Shutterstock

2. Cleanliness

Some dog parents choose not to let their dogs sleep on their bed because they’re concerned about cleanliness. If dirty paws or debris on the coat is a worry for you, you might want to try out pet wipes, which you can use to gently clean any dirty or grimy areas on your pooch before you let them hop up onto your bed.

If you are looking for the perfect product to clean your dog's sensitive areas or would benefit from an on-the-go option, Hepper's Wash Wipes are our recommendation. These premium wipes are thick and durable enough for the toughest of paw messes, while still being soft enough to use on your dog's ears or eyes. Formulated with pet-friendly, hypoallergenic ingredients they are the ideal product for all dogs of all ages, skin conditions, or sensitivities. 

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3. Parasites

If your dog has parasites like fleas, ticks, or worms, sleeping close to them may make you sick, too. It’s essential to keep your dog on a regular parasite prevention treatment—these are usually administered on a monthly basis. Speak to your vet about parasite preventatives to get advice on which type would be best for your dog’s size.


4. Training Issues

If you don’t plan on letting your dog on the bed every night, allowing them to do so now and then could interfere with training because your dog may get confused about what is and isn’t acceptable due to the lack of consistency.

In addition, some people let their dogs sleep with them as little puppies but have to stop when the dog grows too large, which could also be confusing for the dog because they don’t understand why they can’t snuggle up with you anymore.

Another example: Some dogs can get very territorial about spots they “claim”, and they may become overly protective of their part of the bed. Some dogs even start to guard their owners, too.

woman and dog sleeping together
Image Credit: Albina Gavrilovic

5. Disturbed Sleep

While having a dog by your side may help some to sleep better, for others, it greatly impacts their sleep quality. If the dog moves around a lot or sleeps in a particular spot that prevents you from getting comfortable, this could easily wake you up or stop you from sleeping altogether.

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Other Considerations

Other factors to take into consideration include your dog’s health status and personal preference. For example, dogs with joint conditions like arthritis or other conditions that cause mobility problems may struggle to get up on the bed and prefer to sleep on a lower level.

Furthermore, not every dog enjoys sleeping on a bed with their human, as much as they love them. Some dogs are simply happier curled up in their favorite basket or sleeping with other pets in the household.

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Final Thoughts

As we can see, there’s an awful lot to think about when it comes to deciding whether or not to co-sleep with your canine companion! In short, if it works for you and your dog and doesn’t lead to any issues, there’s nothing wrong with allowing your dog to sleep on your bed.

However, if it’s leading to behavioral problems in your dog or health issues for you, you may want to think twice.


Featured Image Credit: evrymmnt, Shutterstock

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