When bed time comes around, many of us have different routines for sleep. And if we have pets, then most likely our furry friends have their own night time routines – most of which include curling up with us. And they’re so cute, we probably don’t tell them no. And there is a good reason that we should keep them in bed with us at night. If you are anything like the group of pet owners surveyed by the American Kennel Club, then you allow your dog to snuggle up in your bed. A survey conducted by the AKC found that 45% of dog owners allow them to sleep in their bed at night. That means that if more than 60 million US households own a dog, then that’s a lot of night time cuddles. And there is no need to be ashamed, there actually is scientific evidence that sleeping with your pet has health benefits.
Contrary to popular belief, having a dog in your bed won’t negatively affect your sleep. In its study, “The Effect of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment,” the Mayo Clinic found that adults without sleep disorders had absolutely no negative affects on their sleeping patterns. In fact, the results of the research showed that the size of the dog was not a factor when it came to affecting sleep quality.
Petting a dog can also reduce blood pressure – and just a few minutes of petting your best boy before bed can help destress you. As the Journal of Behavioral Medicine conducted a study that measured the blood pressure of 60 male and female participants while they either pet a dog or talked to someone else. The results found that people’s blood pressure was lowest while they were petting a dog as compared to being at its highest while talking to someone else. So, at nighttime, you can your biological functions unwind by giving your dog a few pets.
In addition, bringing your dog into your bed can help reduce any stress you feel before bed. Some research has shown that interacting with a dog can decrease cortisol levels and increase oxytocin. Cortisol is the hormone that causes stress, while oxytocin is the hormone that increases plesant feelings in humans. In short, being around your dog reduces stress and makes you feel better. The same study found that its participants reported feelings of less stress while being around a dog.
While science has found that sleeping with your dog makes you calmer and doesn’t impact sleep patterns, there are still more benefits. Besides stress reduction, there are also practical reasons. One of them being heat.
Any dog owner who lives in an area that is deeply affected by cold weather will agree: dogs are great at helping to conserve warmth. Another practical benefit of having your dog in the bed is peace of mind. It’s like sleeping beside a furry home security system. You can always rely on your pet to let you know if there is ever anything amiss outside or inside the home, and it’s free – no need to pay the quarterly bills.
While there are so many benefits to having your dog in bed with you at night, there are also benefits for your dog as well. The journal, Human Nature, published a study that stated letting your dog into the bed will help strengthen the bond between you and your dog – something that is mutually beneficial.
So, the next time you’re getting ready for bed, don’t forget to include your pup. It’s good for the two of you!
from The Animal Rescue Site Blog https://ift.tt/2S2YE8O
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