Should Cats or Dogs Sleep in Bed with You?

rockin'robin

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We Ask Vet Professionals What They Do

It's a topic so divisive that it has been known to be a significant factor in choosing a spouse: Do you let your pet sleep in your bed with you?
In some households, it's the norm. All pets are allowed everywhere, all the time. In others, it's no pets on any furniture, ever. But in many, the answer lies somewhere in between: Perhaps the cat or small dog is given a spot to snuggle, but the Great Dane has to remain on the floor.

Many factors come into play, of course. Some pet owners suffer from allergies and sleeping with a face full of fur only exacerbates them, or maybe they can't deal with the dirt a dog would track onto the duvet. But plenty of pet owners - and veterinary professionals - can't imagine drifting off to sleep without their kitty or Cocker Spaniel cuddled up nearby.

We polled Vetstreet readers and veterinary professionals (such as veterinarians, veterinary technicians and office managers), and as it turns out, a lot of you do like to catch some shuteye with your furry friends.

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Yes or No?
A whopping 83 percent of the readers and 75 percent of the veterinary professionals we polled said they allow a pet to share the bed. But while pet owners were more likely to let their dog sleep in their bed than were veterinary professionals, veterinary professionals were more likely to let their cat sleep in their bed than were readers.

And veterinary professionals also scored big when it came to allowing both dogs and cats in the bed - they were 52 percent more likely to allow the whole zoo up there than our readers!

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A Help or a Hindrance?

If you don't snuggle up with your pup or kitty, you might find it hard to imagine that an animal in your bed would not disrupt your sleep, but in fact, there are some who believe their pets actually help their sleep.

Thirteen percent of veterinary professionals and 33 percent of readers who allow their pets in bed said they believe their pets help them sleep, although 28 percent of veterinary professionals and 14 percent of readers indicated their pets hinder their sleep. Slightly more than 50 percent of veterinary professionals and 45 percent of readers said they saw no difference. The remainder answered "Other," with some stating that the purring or soft snoring soothes them but that the cramped quarters (not to mention the squirrel-chasing dreams) sometimes pose a problem.

https://shine.yahoo.com/pets/cats-dogs-sleep-bed-ask-vet-professionals-130300613.html
 
Hmm... I guess its up to everyone. I like the idea when i had dogs but i couldnt aleep cuz of allergies. One of my birds would sleep with me thought. Not the one i have currently but another one
 
no but he can if he wants to. most of time - he sleeps by himself next to us in his own bed.
 
two of them do sleep with us whenever the temp is too cold. The other two of them dont bother to sleep with us. ha
 
My doggie does sleep with me, always...the Cat?...1/2 the night and the other 1/2 prowling around the house and causing havoc....bites my toes, climbs on the headboard of my bed....jumps on the dog....drags her toys into the bed....My doggie won't put up with it and barks...

So I've been playing more with the Cat at night with the laser red light, hoping to wear her down so she will sleep more.....:hmm:...not working so far....:lol:
 
My clingy and perverted dog sleeps with me every nights as always. When I surf the internet or talk with friends on VP, he sits on the chair next to me or he wants to sit on my lap. :giggle:
 
Marley sleeps in my bed all the time. She gets frustrated with me when I don't sleep though. I keep her awake not the other way around.
 
I like having my dogs sleep in my bed so I know where they're when I am sleeping . They made great alarm clock too , Marty wake up around 7:00 AM
even when the clocks are turn daylight saving time.
 
My dogs were too big to sleep with me, but I let my cats sleep with me on the weekends. Today I had to put my cat Chole down. She got sick over yesterday and the day before. I noticed a problem when I saw her just standing in the litter box and doing nothing, then lying down in it. Today she went from bad to worse, I thought about getting more tests but she was 15 years old and I didn't want her to suffer so I told the Vet to put her down. I left work early just to make sure she'd be seen before the weekend. It was so hard. After I left the office, I was going by a Beagle (he was all over me going in) so I went to pat it on the way out. The owner realized we lost our cat and she reached out and held my hand and I thanked her for that. I'm crying just remembering her kindness.

My cat always slept with me, sat on my lap, followed me around. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I know some people don't approve, but they're unconditional love and they give comfort when needed. Animals just sense things, like my other cat who realizes there's an empty space now in our home; I'm still looking around for her too. I'm sure the study surprises people that don't have pets, but people who love them, I'm sure, have been sharing their bed, couch and furniture with them for years.

Laura
 
My dogs were too big to sleep with me, but I let my cats sleep with me on the weekends. Today I had to put my cat Chole down. She got sick over yesterday and the day before. I noticed a problem when I saw her just standing in the litter box and doing nothing, then lying down in it. Today she went from bad to worse, I thought about getting more tests but she was 15 years old and I didn't want her to suffer so I told the Vet to put her down. I left work early just to make sure she'd be seen before the weekend. It was so hard. After I left the office, I was going by a Beagle (he was all over me going in) so I went to pat it on the way out. The owner realized we lost our cat and she reached out and held my hand and I thanked her for that. I'm crying just remembering her kindness.

My cat always slept with me, sat on my lap, followed me around. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I know some people don't approve, but they're unconditional love and they give comfort when needed. Animals just sense things, like my other cat who realizes there's an empty space now in our home; I'm still looking around for her too. I'm sure the study surprises people that don't have pets, but people who love them, I'm sure, have been sharing their bed, couch and furniture with them for years.

Laura

I am so sorry to hear you had to put your cat down. :hug: I bet your other cat is missing her friend too. Will you be thinking of getting another at cat later on? Marty is only 18 lbs but when he lay down in the middle of my queen size bed he take up a lot room. I like having my dog sleep in bed with me and Marty is allowed on the couch too
 
I am so sorry to hear you had to put your cat down. :hug: I bet your other cat is missing her friend too. Will you be thinking of getting another at cat later on? Marty is only 18 lbs but when he lay down in the middle of my queen size bed he take up a lot room. I like having my dog sleep in bed with me and Marty is allowed on the couch too

My father was talking about it in the car. He was crying in the Vet's office too. He was glad I left work early to handle it. I'm going to have my cat cremated and spread her ashes over my grandmother's grave. My grandmother was good to animals and I'd like to think she'll watch over my little one. When we started home, he talked about getting another cat, but I don't think it's a good idea....for now. Our male cat, Bud, likes things a certain way....his way. My sister's kitten stayed with us for a while and she drove them both nuts. I suspect when you have an old dog or cat, a young animal just invades their space too much, and from what I've read, I think it's best to let my remaining cat enjoy being "The Top Cat." When it's his time to go, then I'll be looking to buy a couple more and give them a good home. It just really hurts to say to goodbye them. This is going to be one long weekend for me....and I miss her already.
 
Our dogs usually sleep in between me and my wife, sometimes they sleep with my kids. Both of dogs MUST sleep under the blanket!

We have no issues, BUT I banned dogs on kitchen table!
 
My father was talking about it in the car. He was crying in the Vet's office too. He was glad I left work early to handle it. I'm going to have my cat cremated and spread her ashes over my grandmother's grave. My grandmother was good to animals and I'd like to think she'll watch over my little one. When we started home, he talked about getting another cat, but I don't think it's a good idea....for now. Our male cat, Bud, likes things a certain way....his way. My sister's kitten stayed with us for a while and she drove them both nuts. I suspect when you have an old dog or cat, a young animal just invades their space too much, and from what I've read, I think it's best to let my remaining cat enjoy being "The Top Cat." When it's his time to go, then I'll be looking to buy a couple more and give them a good home. It just really hurts to say to goodbye them. This is going to be one long weekend for me....and I miss her already.

I had Finlay cremated and I want to be to be cremated too and I told my daughter I wanted our ashes mixed together and taken to the woods where the both of us spends hours of playing ball and hiking . Finlay would so excited when he realize we where going to the woods he would start shaking with excitement. I was missing him a lot today and he dies in 2008, so I know what you mean about it going to be a long weekend. Our pets stay in our hearts long after they're gone.
 
I have boxes of cremated pets all over my house. I can't bear to give them up. My husband and I decided that when we die, we'll both be cremated and we'll mix half the pets with each of us and scatter the ashes at that point.
 
I have boxes of cremated pets all over my house. I can't bear to give them up. My husband and I decided that when we die, we'll both be cremated and we'll mix half the pets with each of us and scatter the ashes at that point.

The reason that I decided to go this route was because leaving my animal at the Vet just became too difficult. I just never wanted to leave them there. Watching Pit Bulls and Parolees gave me the idea of cremating them and scattering their ashes someplace peaceful. This morning I spoke with the company that will provide the service and my father mentioned, much to my surprise, that he'd like to hold on to them. I know when the male cat, Bud, passes, he's going to be a mess so I'll be using this company again. Hearing my father talking about holding on to the ashes made me rethink parting with them just yet, so for the time being, I'll keep my cat Chole's ashes with me.

It was really hard sleeping last night not having her jump up on my bed to sleep with me. Bud continues to walk into my bedroom frequently to look for her. We're all heart broken by her absence.
 
I have boxes of cremated pets all over my house. I can't bear to give them up. My husband and I decided that when we die, we'll both be cremated and we'll mix half the pets with each of us and scatter the ashes at that point.

I had to chuckle when I read this, I am trying to picture you both mixing your ashes together after being cremated . I am having my daughter do this for me.
 
I has a toy poodle, yorkie and chihuahua mixed dog. I let her sleep with me. She is always laying on my between knees. She woke me up for potty outside in the morning. Sometime she peed accident on the carpet. I cleaned it up the messy. Whenever I am sick and not want she sleep with me because I can be restless with my body sides. She can sleep on her own pink pillow close to my top table and bed. She will jump and paws on me to wake me up.

Everyone are different view on dog size and allow to sleep on bed or not. It up to everyone decide.
 
My dog is jealous of other animals in the house. So basically my cat will wait 1/2 of the night to sleep next to my head while my dog's passed out on my side and then disappears once the dog wakes up. Geez. She's such a pushover...
 
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