A pet's presence alone has the ability to comfort us as we fall asleep and can help stave off any nightmares we may experience during the night. Pets replace the stress-related hormone, cortisol, with feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, and much of that is done through physical touch. As a result, we can feel more relaxed and at peace when we co-sleep with our pets.
However, a recent study found that co-sleeping with pets, dogs in particular, can result in poorer quality of sleep. This is mostly due to the tendency for pets to move around over the night, causing a disturbance in your sleep. Pets can also cause further exposure to allergies, which can trigger symptoms that disturb sleep. However, this exposure also strengthens immunity, due to introducing a wider variety of bacteria in the home.
How often do you co-sleep with your pets, if it all? What are some pros and cons you have found in co-sleeping with your pets?
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Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
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