5 reasons why dogs shouldn’t sleep in your bed

Few topics seem to get dog owners as riled up as whether the dog should sleep in the bed with you or not. Some people are disgusted at the thought of having a dog sleep in the bed, while others can’t imagine drifting off to sleep without their canine companion nearby.

But as great as it can be to sleep near your dog, there are some compelling reasons for keeping Fido off the bed.

Here are five reasons why your dog shouldn’t sleep in the bed with you.

1. You Don’t Sleep as Well

Dogs have significantly shorter sleep cycles than humans and tend to get up a number of times in the night to circle around and change position before going back to sleep. They may also whine, whimper, twitch, and paw the air in their sleep as they dream. If you’re a light sleeper, this kind of behavior will wake you up in the night, possibly multiple times, and ruin your sleep quality. Or your dog may disturb your sleep by cuddling up too close or encroaching on your side of the bed until you’re practically falling off. While their desire to be close is sweet, the effect it has on your sleep is not.

2. It Could Be Unsafe for Your Dog

Depending on your dog’s size and health, sleeping in your bed with you could actually be unsafe. Little dogs could roll or fall off the edge of the bed, causing injury, especially if your bed is high off the ground. Dogs with arthritis, joint problems, or other mobility issues, dogs recovering from surgery, and dogs who are just a little older and slowing down could injure themselves trying to jump up on the bed or get down from it. (Although a set of dog stairs can help with this problem.) Don’t let your dog into your bed if it means risking their health and safety.

3. Your Dog Could Have an Accident (the Other Kind of Accident)

While the risk of accidents like falling off the bed is one downside to letting your dog sleep in your bed, there are the other, messier kinds of accidents to consider, too. For healthy, middle-aged, housebroken dogs, this is probably not a big concern. But if your dog is still being housetrained, has a medical condition that causes incontinence, or is older and is starting to have accidents around the house, then don’t bring them in the bed with you, because no one wants to change bed sheets in the middle of the night!

4. It’s Dirty

Even the most ardent dog lovers admit that dogs tend to be dirty. They track in dirt on their paws from outside, they drool, they lick themselves, they chew on disgusting things, they shed hair and dander, and they may even carry fleas, ticks, or other little pests in their fur. And guess what – when they get into bed with you at night, they are still dirty! If you’re a stickler for cleanliness, this is enough of a reason to say no to the dog in the bed.

5. Your Dog Can Become Territorial

Your dog doesn’t own the bed, you do. But some dogs might get confused about who’s really alpha when it comes to the bed, and they may start growling, snapping, or barking at anyone else who comes close to the bed. As soon as you start to see any signs of aggression or acting in a territorial manner, get the dog out of the bed.

Give Them A Dog Bed of Their Own

When your dog has a super comfortable dog bed they absolutely love, it will be a lot easier for them to sleep apart from you. Find the right bed for your dog from Snoozer. We beautiful, comfortable dog beds that are built to last. From cozy hooded dog beds to bolstered dog sofas to orthopedic dog beds for older dogs, we have a wide range, all hand sewn to order in the USA. Check out our full selection of dog beds, dog car seats, and other accessories today.