One Health

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

My husband and I have 5 dogs in our home. They all sleep with us.  It can become a juggling game some nights but there's nothing like a dogs head resting on you or a face lick in the middle of the night.  The dogs can get off bed at any time and choose to sleep elsewhere as well.

------------------------------
Candice Tousignant
Treasurer
Southern paws animal rescue
KY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:12 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

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?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Completely agree, I have not had multiple pets before but it sounds like the dream! I can imagine that resting altogether as a pack brings a lot of comfort to your dogs as well. Has the co-sleeping made any difference with seasonal allergies?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2025 04:01 AM
From: Candice Tousignant
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

My husband and I have 5 dogs in our home. They all sleep with us.  It can become a juggling game some nights but there's nothing like a dogs head resting on you or a face lick in the middle of the night.  The dogs can get off bed at any time and choose to sleep elsewhere as well.

------------------------------
Candice Tousignant
Treasurer
Southern paws animal rescue
KY

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:12 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

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?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

You never have to worry about being cold. I always loved the reference to it being so cold it was a three-dog night.  

------------------------------
Candice Hinkle
Assistant Director
Program for Pet Health Equity
Knoxville, TN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2025 04:01 AM
From: Candice Tousignant
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

My husband and I have 5 dogs in our home. They all sleep with us.  It can become a juggling game some nights but there's nothing like a dogs head resting on you or a face lick in the middle of the night.  The dogs can get off bed at any time and choose to sleep elsewhere as well.

------------------------------
Candice Tousignant
Treasurer
Southern paws animal rescue
KY

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:12 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

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?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

This is neat...and here is a 2018 study that focused on the perceptions of sleep quality comparing dogs, cats, and human partners.

------------------------------
Miranda Workman
Director, Shelter Behavior Education & Outreach
ASPCA
NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:12 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

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?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Thank you for sharing, Miranda! The deficit they discovered between co-sleeping with dogs vs cats is certainly interesting! "Compared with human bed partners, dogs who slept in the owner's bed were perceived to disturb sleep less and were associated with stronger feelings of comfort and security. Conversely, cats who slept in their owner's bed were reported to be equally as disruptive as human partners, and were associated with weaker feelings of comfort and security than both human and dog bed partners." I have never experienced living with a cat in the home and do wonder how often they tend to move around during the night, causing disturbances in sleep.

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-07-2025 09:04 AM
From: Miranda Workman
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

This is neat...and here is a 2018 study that focused on the perceptions of sleep quality comparing dogs, cats, and human partners.

------------------------------
Miranda Workman
Director, Shelter Behavior Education & Outreach
ASPCA
NY

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:12 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

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?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

I have a sleep disorder, sleep is difficult to come by but having my dog with me is a comfort and hearing her little Frenchie snores is soothing. She has had cancer for 3 years and 9 months. Not having her close would make it difficult to sleep. Having her near, I know I can act if something happens and if her passes in her sleep I will be there with her. When I don't have a dog with a terminal illness one f the big dogs sleeps at the foot of the bed. She is quite through the night so not disruptive and again a comfort. So, I'd say it depends on the dog and the situation. Sharing the bed with a dog may actually be beneficial to sleep. 

------------------------------
JUDITH PEARSON
President
The Dixon Animal Protection Society
NM
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:12 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

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?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Thank you for sharing, Judith. It warms my heart to hear that you have such loving companions to bring some comfort during those difficult nights! Big dogs sure do make for great foot warmers, and seem happy to fulfill that role. Spaniel breeds specifically served as lap and foot warmers for some time. Yes, sleep disruption does largely depend on the pet's personality and temperament. I am happy to hear that you have found more ease with yours!

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-08-2025 05:20 PM
From: JUDITH PEARSON
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

I have a sleep disorder, sleep is difficult to come by but having my dog with me is a comfort and hearing her little Frenchie snores is soothing. She has had cancer for 3 years and 9 months. Not having her close would make it difficult to sleep. Having her near, I know I can act if something happens and if her passes in her sleep I will be there with her. When I don't have a dog with a terminal illness one f the big dogs sleeps at the foot of the bed. She is quite through the night so not disruptive and again a comfort. So, I'd say it depends on the dog and the situation. Sharing the bed with a dog may actually be beneficial to sleep. 

------------------------------
JUDITH PEARSON
President
The Dixon Animal Protection Society
NM

Original Message:
Sent: 01-06-2025 11:12 AM
From: Kayla Anderson
Subject: Is getting more rest one of your New Year's resolutions? Co-sleeping with pets may effect that!

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?

------------------------------
Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Program for Pet Health Equity
------------------------------