Sharing our beds with pets is a measure of how fully they are a part of our lives
By Kim Campbell Thornton
I'm always amazed at how much space two small dogs can take up on a queen-size bed. And it's surprising how immoveable a 12-pound and a 6-pound dog can be. Once Gemma is latched onto my left side and Harper is snuggled into the crook of my knees, it's almost impossible for me to move for the rest of the night. And when they aren't snugged right up against me, they are sprawling in a way that also makes it impossible to move.
So why let them on the bed? A survey of 150 people by the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona found that 56 percent of those surveyed who were pet owners allow their animals to snooze in the bedroom. More than half of the pets slept on the bed with their people. The presence of their pets made them feel safe and comfortable and helped them get a better night's rest, the respondents reported. Only 20 percent described their pets as disruptive to sleep.
Of course, that's a small sample size -- only 74 pet owners. But I'm willing to bet that many other pet owners feel the same way. I'm one of them, and I know other people who share bedrooms and beds with their pets, despite allergies, snoring (by the pet) and early-morning head butts from a hungry cat or dog.
Should you allow your pet to sleep on the bed? That's been a bone of contention for years. Some people argue that allowing a pet to share the bed can make a pooch pushy or a cat cheeky. Allergists recommend a pet-free bedroom for people who suffer the coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes and sneezing associated with allergies to pets. Researchers at University of California, Davis warned of zoonotic diseases -- those that can be passed between animals and people. And, as with my own dogs, pets can make a bed downright uncomfortable when there's little freedom of movement.
But for many with pets, their comforting presence on the bed or in the room outweighs the disadvantages. A survey participant reported feeling more content when her small dog slept at her feet, and another described her cat sleeping on her chest as "soothing." One person I know falls asleep hand in paw with her cat. Spending a long stretch of time with a pet -- even if you're both asleep -- strengthens the human-animal bond.
If you'd like to have a more pleasant sleeping experience while still keeping your pet on or near the bed, the following tips may help.
-- Place a heating pad on the spot where you want your pet to sleep. The warmth may draw him there and make it his favorite area.
-- Lay a blanket or pet bed at the foot of the bed. Pets often like to have their own extra-soft sleeping spot and will adopt the place with the blanket or bed.
-- Put a tall cat tree in your room. Cats love heights and may find this to be a safe and secure sleeping area. (Of course, then you have to worry that they will dive-bomb you in the morning.)
-- Keep pets clean. Nobody wants a stinky bedmate. Brush and bathe frequently, keep them on parasite preventive and wash the sheets in hot water two to three times a week.
-- Set boundaries. If you don't want your pet on your pillow or under the covers, establish that rule right from the beginning -- and don't yield.
-- If all else fails, do what I'm doing -- anxiously awaiting delivery of a king-size bed.
Q&A
Cat bites
at bedtime
Q: I have a lovely Maine coon cat, Tiger, I got when he was about 4 weeks old. He is now 2 1/2 years old and a great companion. He sleeps most of the day, and when I go to bed, he gives me a "body check," using his teeth in the process. Because of it, I've had three infections that required IV and oral antibiotics. I've had to lock him out of my bedroom to control his behavior. It's like he wants to play, which we do during the day, and doesn't want me to go to bed. I've tried spraying him with water, but he thinks it's a game. Any suggestions? -- via email
A: Unfortunately, Tiger is living up to his wild name, along with the tendency for his breed to be a bit more rambunctious than the average feline. Without knowing the specifics, it's impossible to give direct advice. As you mentioned, his behavior may be in play. Additionally, it probably gets a reaction from you, and this may reinforce his actions. For instance, many cats will claw or mouth on hands during play, especially if the person continues to move the hand or squeals. Talk about simulating live prey!
It's important to ensure that Tiger never gets a chance to play with human skin. Direct his attention to a toy, such as a feather wand. When he plays with it, give extravagant praise. Avoid petting him if he becomes excited while playing; this could prompt him to scratch you.
Tiger may also need more and longer play sessions or a greater variety of toys, especially interactive toys such as food puzzles that can engage his interest and help him expend energy when you aren't home. Expand his territory by adding vertical spaces where he can climb and perch. Place treats, catnip and toys in these areas to encourage him to investigate them. Other ways to challenge him mentally and physically are to teach him tricks, teach him to walk on a leash or provide access to an outdoor enclosure.
Finally, I recommend a veterinary exam to make sure his biting behavior isn't health-related. Certain medical conditions and medications can make cats more prone to aggressive behavior. -- Mikkel Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Dogs help speed
new cancer treatments
-- Grayson, a 6-year-old beagle, is helping researchers at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine find a new treatment for lymphoma after being diagnosed with the disease and given a life expectancy of just weeks. His owner, Evan Jost, learned about a trial of a new formulation of a cancer drug at UC Davis and enrolled Grayson last year. After four treatments so far, Grayson's disease has gone into remission, but not disappeared. Jost is grateful for the extra time with his dog, and researchers hope the eventual findings will benefit humans and pets. "We're trying to create a formulation that will work better against cancer and be safer to give to our dogs, cats and people as well," said Jenna Burton, assistant professor of clinical medical oncology at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, who is leading the trial.
-- Do you know the "RagaMuffin"? He's not a character from a nursery rhyme, but a large and beautiful cat with a soft, medium-length coat that comes in all colors and patterns. That's one of the ways he differs from his cousin, the ragdoll, from which he was developed, along with crosses to Persians and domestic longhairs. The sturdy cats have a sweet, easygoing personality; love sitting in a lap; and enjoy playing and learning tricks.
-- Calvin Coolidge, who became president in 1923 and served until 1929, was nicknamed "Silent Cal" for his taciturn ways, but he was outspoken on his love of dogs. "Any man who does not like dogs and want them about does not deserve to be in the White House," he once said. His own White House menagerie included a pair of white collies named Rob Roy and Prudence Prim. Rob Roy attended Coolidge's weekly press conferences and was a vocal participant. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.
CAPTIONS AND CREDITS
Caption 01: A pet's presence on the bed or in the bedroom can affect a person's sleep positively or negatively. Position: Main Story
Caption 02: The RagaMuffin's coat requires a weekly brushing to prevent tangles. Position: Pet Buzz/Item 2