Do your pets share your bed?

Pets are part of our family and many of them sleep with us in our beds.  Snuggling up to us, providing affection, comfort and security, but is it healthy?

Although an adult cat sleeps for about for 12-16 a day and an adult dog 12-14 hours they can be up and down in the night.  Scratching, washing, having a midnight snack, or wanting to go outside.  All things that may disrupt your sleep leaving you feeling tired the next day.

And while the risks are low, cats and dogs carry bacteria that can be passed to us when in close contact.  They also shed dirt, pollen from running around outside, and pet dander a common cause or trigger of asthma and allergies.

So for a healthier night’s sleep, whilst enjoying the company of your pets here are some tips you may wish to follow:

• Avoid waking up with them enjoying more of your pillow than you. Train them to sleep at the end of the bed. Perhaps on a blanket of their own.
• Keep them and any dirt or bacteria they may be carrying above the covers and not under the doona with you.
• Make a potty run with your pets before bed. This will lessen the likelihood of them waking you in the night to get up and access their kitty litter or want to go outside.
• Ensure you have Protect-A-Bed® Mattress and Pillow protectors on your beds. The Protect-A-Bed® Miracle Layer™ will stop any drool, bacteria, dander and accidental spills from staining your mattresses and contributing to the growth of mould and bacteria.
• Associate bedtime with sleep time not play time. Avoid having any kitten or puppy toys in the bedroom. 

If you have a puppy, consider how big it is going to get.  Sleeping with it while it is young might be comfortable but what happens when it gets older and bigger. Training a dog, which is going to outgrow the ability for you to comfortably share a bed, to sleep somewhere else, is much easier when they are a puppy and before habits are formed.

And if you suffer from allergies or asthma which can be triggered by pet dander, consider giving your pet lots of affection before bedtime and keeping your sleep areas separate.   

Always avoid letting pets sleep with babies and young children.