The pros, cons, and hygiene solutions for co-sleeping with your furry friend
Sharing a bed with your pet is one of life’s sweetest pleasures. That warm, fuzzy body curled beside you brings comfort, emotional support, and a sense of closeness. But as any pet parent knows, this cozy bonding time also comes with one frustrating downside: pet hair all over your bed.
So, should you let your pet sleep with you? Is the comfort worth the clean-up? Let’s break down the benefits, drawbacks, and practical hygiene tips for letting your dog or cat share your bed.
🐾 The Pros of Letting Your Pet Sleep in Your Bed
1. Emotional Comfort and Bonding
Studies have shown that co-sleeping with pets can reduce stress, anxiety, and even improve feelings of safety at night. Pets offer physical warmth and emotional reassurance—similar to the calming presence of another person.
According to a 2020 Mayo Clinic survey, many pet owners reported better sleep quality when their pet was nearby.
2. Routine and Companionship
Sleeping together can help establish nighttime routines, especially for anxious pets or those recently adopted. It strengthens the human-animal bond, reinforcing your role as their trusted caregiver.
3. Warmth and Security
Pets naturally generate body heat, which can be soothing on cold nights. Dogs, in particular, often act as loyal "night guards"—some owners feel safer simply knowing their pet is nearby.
🐕 The Cons of Letting Your Pet Sleep in Your Bed
1. Pet Hair and Allergens
The most obvious downside: pet hair gets everywhere. Bedding traps fur, dander, and even allergens from outside (like pollen or dust). Over time, this can lead to skin irritation, allergy flare-ups, or simply the unpleasant feeling of sleeping in a hairy mess.
If you're sensitive to allergens or have asthma, this could negatively impact your sleep quality and health.
2. Disturbed Sleep
Pets may snore, shift, scratch, or move frequently during the night. Some dogs will sprawl across the bed or kick you in their sleep. Cats may even decide it’s playtime at 3 AM.
This unpredictability can result in frequent wakeups, leading to poor sleep hygiene for the human half of the bed.
3. Hygiene Risks
Pets can carry bacteria, fleas, ticks, or dirt—especially if they go outside. Letting them into your bed without regular grooming and cleaning could expose your linens and skin to unwanted microbes.
For example, according to the CDC, while rare, some zoonotic diseases (diseases that jump from animals to humans) can be passed through close contact.
🧼 Hygiene Solutions: Keeping the Bed Clean Without Banning Your Pet
If you’re team “yes” when it comes to co-sleeping, but don’t want to compromise on cleanliness, here are some practical solutions to manage pet hair and hygiene.
1. Use a Washable Pet Blanket or Bed Cover
Place a dedicated, washable blanket or quilt on top of your bed where your pet usually sleeps. This acts as a barrier, trapping fur, dander, and dirt. Simply shake it out daily and toss it in the wash weekly.
2. Groom Your Pet Regularly
Brushing your pet before bedtime reduces the amount of loose hair they shed overnight. Use a de-shedding tool for long-haired breeds and bathe them regularly with hypoallergenic shampoo.
Bonus: A clean, brushed pet is much nicer to cuddle!
3. Invest in a High-Performance Vacuum
Fur often ends up not just on your bed, but on the floor, curtains, and surrounding areas. A vacuum designed for pet hair—like the Extravis V5 Robot Vacuum—can clean your bedroom floor automatically every day, keeping loose fur from circulating.
The V5’s tangle-free brush system and LiDAR-powered precision make it ideal for pet-heavy households.
4. Wash Bedding Frequently
Wash your sheets, blankets, and pillowcases at least once a week—twice if you have multiple pets or a heavy shedder. Use hot water and a fragrance-free detergent that’s safe for both humans and pets.
5. Create a Pet-Only Sleeping Zone
Train your pet to sleep on one side of the bed, or at your feet. This minimizes disruption and concentrates fur in a manageable space. You can even place a designated pet bed on top of your mattress if you want to maintain closeness but preserve more cleanliness.
🛌 Should You Let Your Pet Sleep in Your Bed?
The answer depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and how well you manage the trade-off between comfort and cleanliness.
Let Your Pet Sleep With You If:
- You’re not allergic or sensitive to dander
- Your pet is clean, well-groomed, and parasite-free
- You enjoy the emotional benefit of co-sleeping
- You’re able to clean bedding and surroundings regularly
Consider Other Options If:
- You suffer from allergies or asthma
- Your sleep is often disturbed by your pet
- Your pet has hygiene or behavioral issues
- You’re recovering from illness or surgery
🐾 Final Thoughts
Letting your pet sleep in your bed is a deeply personal choice. For many, the emotional benefits far outweigh the occasional furball on the pillow. But it’s essential to have a hygiene strategy in place—whether that means weekly deep cleans, regular grooming, or smart tools like the Extravis V5 Robot Vacuum to stay ahead of the mess.
Ultimately, you deserve restful sleep, and your pet deserves love and attention. With a little compromise and a lot of lint rolling, it’s possible to have both.