Is Sleeping Next to Your Dog Good for You?

Does thinking about your dog sleeping alone in a different room make you toss and turn at night?

In a time where most of us are feeling a lot more stressed, anxious and lonely than usual, dog experts at tails.com have some good news – having your dog sleep beside you in bed is actually a lot better and beneficial than you think.

Newborn puppies huddle together because that’s when they feel the safest, and most comfortable – it’s in their nature. When your dog wants to sleep beside you, it’s because they consider you ‘part of the pack’. And if that doesn’t convince you, here are five reasons why sleeping with your furry friend next to you might improve your sleep.

Dogs can reduce depression

To put it simply, dogs are their own kind of antidepressant – spending time with your pup, even just gazing into their eyes releases ‘oxytocin’. Commonly nicknamed ‘the love hormone’ or the ‘the cuddle hormone’, oxytocin is released when you look at your dog – and the feeling is mutual.

So if just looking at your dog makes you happier, imagine what having a cuddle will do.

Dogs make you feel safer

A survey carried out by Policy Expert showed that 41% of people feel safer due to owning a dog, and 75% feel as if owning a dog reduces the likelihood of their house being broken into.

You’re at your most vulnerable when you’re in bed, especially if you live alone – so it’s guaranteed that you’ll feel safer if you have your pooch snuggled up beside you – that feeling of safety and security is also bound to result in a good night’s sleep too!

Dogs can ease stress and anxiety

Hard day at the office? When we climb into bed at night, we have a tendency to worry and overthink – which results in a not-so-great night’s sleep. Spending time with our dogs, whether it be taking them for a walk, or having them beside us in bed can lower our cortisol levels, which is the hormone our body releases when we’re stressed out

Lower cortisol levels don’t just come with mental health benefits either, physical too! The release of cortisol can also cause heightened blood pressure, which can lead to several complications including; heart attacks, strokes and memory issues.

Dogs can sleep through the night

If one of your main concerns is that you’ll be woken up in the middle of the night by a fidgety pup, then you don’t have to worry! Like us humans, dogs naturally produce melatonin – the hormone that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

Even though your pooch might take considerably more naps during the day than you do, they’re still likely to sleep through the night with minimal disruptions.

Dogs are warm

Having your dog sleep beside you in bed can even save on your heating bills! Especially if you live alone – these winter nights can be pretty chilly.

Dogs have a higher body temperature to us, with it averaging between 37.8-39.17 degrees celsius – making them the perfect alternative to a hot water bottle (which goes cold after a while, anyway) or a pricey heating bill!

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