Should You Let Your Dog Sleep on the Bed? The Human Sleep Perspective

Letting a dog sleep on the bed is a common decision in many UK households. For some, it's a source of comfort and emotional bonding. For others, it's a nightly battle of space, disrupted sleep, and stray hairs.

But beyond personal preference, what does the science say about co-sleeping with dogs? How does it affect human sleep, hygiene, health, and even relationships? This in-depth guide explores whether letting a dog sleep on the bed is a wise choice from the human sleep perspective.

Does Sleeping with a Dog Help or Harm Sleep?

One of the central questions around dogs in the bed is whether they improve or disrupt human sleep. Research from the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center found that while many pet owners believe their dogs help them sleep, the data tells a mixed story. Their 2017 study revealed that while having a dog in the bedroom was generally fine, having a dog in the bed correlated with slightly reduced sleep efficiency.

Sleep efficiency refers to the percentage of time in bed actually spent sleeping. In the Mayo study, people who slept with their dogs in bed had an average sleep efficiency of 80%, compared to 83% for those whose dogs simply stayed in the room — a small but noticeable difference.

How Sharing a Bed with a Dog Affects Sleep Quality

From a physiological perspective, sleep quality can be affected by movement, temperature, noise, and disturbances — all of which are relevant when a dog is present in bed:

• Movement: Dogs can be restless sleepers. They may twitch, adjust positions, or move around, which can pull humans out of deeper sleep phases.

• Noise: Even small noises like breathing, licking, scratching, or dreaming can disturb light sleepers.

• Temperature: Dogs naturally run warmer than humans. While this might feel cosy in winter, it can be disruptive in warmer months or for those prone to night sweats.

• Space: Especially in smaller beds, a dog can cause humans to contort or stay in uncomfortable positions, potentially leading to joint pain or poor spinal alignment.

All these factors contribute to micro-awakenings — brief interruptions to sleep that may not even be remembered in the morning, but accumulate and reduce overall sleep quality.

Can Dogs Disrupt Human Sleep Cycles?

Humans sleep in cycles: light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. These cycles repeat roughly every 90 minutes. Dogs, however, have different sleep patterns.

Their sleep cycles are shorter and they awaken more easily. According to the Sleep Foundation, dogs may wake up three or more times as often as humans during the night.

This mismatch can lead to interruptions in the human sleep cycle — particularly during crucial REM phases, which are associated with dreaming, memory consolidation, and emotional processing.

Hygiene Considerations: Are Dogs in Bed Unhygienic?

Beyond sleep quality, hygiene is a significant concern. Dogs — even well-groomed ones — carry dirt, dander, saliva, and sometimes parasites. Letting a dog in the bed introduces potential allergens and microbes into your sleeping environment.

The British Veterinary Association warns that while the health risk from sleeping with a dog is generally low for healthy adults, those with compromised immune systems, asthma, or allergies may experience negative effects. Common issues include:

• Allergen accumulation in bedding

• Bacterial exposure (e.g. from paws, fur, or anal glands)

• Parasites like fleas or ticks

Proper washing routines (both for dogs and bedding), flea treatments, and limiting outdoor exposure before bedtime can mitigate some of these risks.

Is It Emotionally Healthy to Sleep with a Dog?

There’s no doubt that co-sleeping with a dog can offer emotional benefits. For people who experience anxiety, loneliness, or night-time stress, a dog’s presence can be soothing.

One study from the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute found that petting a dog increases levels of oxytocin — the hormone associated with bonding and reduced stress. For those dealing with insomnia rooted in anxiety, this calming effect may be genuinely beneficial.

However, there’s a psychological line between healthy comfort and dependency. Relying on a pet for sleep can mask deeper issues like chronic anxiety or fear of being alone. For some individuals, addressing those root causes may lead to better long-term sleep hygiene than sharing a bed.

Impact on Romantic Relationships and Sleep Space

Co-sleeping with a dog doesn't just affect one person — it affects anyone sharing that bed. For couples, a dog in the bed can create:

• Territorial tensions (especially if the dog favours one partner)

• Space constraints (particularly in double beds)

• Reduced intimacy (both physical and emotional)

A survey by the UK-based sleep product brand Dreams found that over 20% of couples who let pets sleep in the bed argued about it. Some sleep experts recommend that couples establish clear boundaries — e.g. letting the dog sleep at the foot of the bed, or only allowing them in on weekends.

Should Children Sleep with Dogs in Bed?

The question becomes even more complex when children are involved. On one hand, a dog can offer security and help soothe bedtime fears. On the other, it can reinforce dependency on external comfort — and may interfere with healthy sleep development.

From a safety standpoint, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against co-sleeping between children under 10 and pets, particularly in small beds or where the pet is large or untrained. Accidental injury, allergy development, and disrupted sleep are the main concerns.

Is It a Problem If It Works?

Ultimately, if a person sleeps well and wakes up refreshed — and they’re sharing the bed with a dog — there may be no reason to change anything. The issue arises when sleep is consistently poor, or other problems begin to emerge (e.g. hygiene, relationship tension, health complaints).

Experts from the UK Sleep Council advise that individuals track their sleep over several weeks using a sleep diary or wearable device. If sleep is consistently disturbed, experimenting with having the dog sleep nearby rather than in the bed can be a helpful compromise.

When Is It Best Not to Let a Dog Sleep in the Bed?

There are a few clear-cut situations where experts agree that dogs should not share the bed:

• If the person has asthma, allergies, or eczema

• If the dog is not toilet trained or is ill

• If the person is immunocompromised

• If sleep is regularly disturbed and leading to fatigue

• If the dog is aggressive, territorial, or resource guarding

In these cases, allowing the dog in the bed may not just be inconvenient — it could be actively harmful to health or wellbeing.

Alternatives: Keeping the Dog Close Without Sharing the Bed

For those who want the emotional comfort of their pet without the downsides of co-sleeping, alternatives include:

• Placing a dog bed next to the human bed

• Using a crate or dog sofa near the sleeping area

• Training the dog to sleep in another room with the door open

These options allow for closeness and bonding while maintaining a clean, disturbance-free sleeping environment.

Summary: Should Dogs Sleep in the Bed?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. From a purely sleep-science standpoint, the best conditions for high-quality human sleep typically involve:

• A cool, quiet, dark room

• An undisturbed mattress

• Minimal movement or noise disruptions

Dogs, no matter how well-loved, often conflict with those conditions. But for many, the emotional comfort they bring outweighs the drawbacks.

If sleep quality is suffering, or if there are hygiene or health concerns, it's worth reconsidering. But if a dog in the bed brings joy, comfort, and no measurable sleep problems, there may be no harm in continuing the tradition.