Nearly half of pet owners in the United States share their beds with their animals, according to a 2022 online survey of about 2,000 adults. While this practice is common, experts offer mixed insights regarding health and sleep implications.

Veterinarians caution that pets can carry and transmit a variety of pathogens to humans. Dr. Josh Daniels, a veterinarian and microbiologist at Colorado State University, highlighted that animals can harbor ticks, fleas, parasites, and bacteria, which may increase human exposure when pets sleep in the same bed. Although such exposures are typically infrequent and illnesses uncommon, those with weakened immune systems may face higher risks, according to Dr. Bruno Chomel, professor emeritus at the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. To minimize potential hazards, veterinarians advise consistent use of flea and tick prevention strategies and routine deworming to address intestinal parasites like roundworm.

The decision to share a bed with a pet often involves weighing the small but present risk of infection, Chomel said, emphasizing that individuals must consider their own health circumstances and tolerance for risk.

Beyond infectious concerns, sleeping with pets may influence sleep quality. Limited research has explored this dynamic. A 2017 study tracking 40 dog owners with activity monitors found that participants experienced less efficient sleep on nights when their dogs shared the bed compared to when pets were present in the room but not on the bed. Despite these findings, not all owners perceive their pets as disruptive. Dr. Douglas Wallace, a sleep physician at the University of Miami, noted that the emotional comfort provided by pets could potentially mitigate negative sleep effects.

For those uncertain about the impact of bed-sharing on their rest, sleep psychologist Shelby Harris of New York City recommended a practical approach: remove the pet from the bed for several nights to observe any changes in sleep quality. If no improvement is noted, she suggests there is no issue with continued co-sleeping.

Pet owners are thus advised to carefully consider both health precautions and personal sleep patterns when deciding whether to share their sleeping space with animals.