Many dog owners treat their pets like family, yet hesitate to share their bedroom at night, worried about disrupted sleep. A recent study from the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center offers reassuring insights. Researchers tracked 40 healthy adults without sleep disorders and their dogs over five months, using activity trackers to monitor sleep patterns for seven consecutive nights.
The findings? Co-sleeping in the same room—not the bed—improved sleep quality for many participants, regardless of dog size. Owners reported greater comfort and security. However, inviting your dog under the covers compromised rest, as bed-sharing interfered with deep sleep cycles.
Backed by this peer-reviewed research, letting your furry friend crash in your bedroom could be the key to better nights—just keep them on the floor.
