For ten thousand years, humans have kept animals as companions. Today, 65% of homes in America have pets and about most of these pet owners sleep with their furry friends. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from sleeping problem, you might wonder if your pet is causing poor sleep.
How Could Having a Pet in the Bedroom Ruin My Sleep?
If you’re finding it tough to get a good night’s rest, many doctors believe that your pet needs to stay out of the bedroom. Since 20% of dogs snore and most cats move around throughout the night, it only makes sense that your sleep could be affected. Another potential threat to adequate sleep is that sometimes your love for animals might keep you uncomfortable at night. Like most people who sleep with their pets, you’ll likely recall a time where you avoided rolling over in bed because you didn’t want to disturb your pet. This behavior may be why there’s evidence showing that having a pet in your bed makes it harder to fall asleep.
Can Having a Pet in the Bedroom Improve Sleep?
Opinions about whether pets are affecting sleep are still evolving. One survey conducted by Mayo Clinic found that 20% of pet owners reported that their sleep was interrupted by their pets, but 41% said pets improved their sleep.
How your pet impacts your sleep varies depending on several factors. For instance, large pets might be disturbing for some while providing warmth for others. The species of the pet may have an impact too. Dogs tend to settle down better at night where as cats often move about the room creating more opportunities for light sleepers to be disturbed.
Many animals give their owners a sense of emotional security. They might feel safer because of their watch dog or less lonely with a cuddling friend or purring companion. On top of the emotional aspects of having a strong relationship with your pet, the health benefits of animal ownership shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, research suggests that having a dog can lower your blood pressure!
When the Mayo Clinic’s study concluded, it found that animals usually have little to no effect on their owners during the night and may even improve their sleep.
Maybe It’s Sleep Apnea
If you’re still waking up feeling exhausted in the morning, whether your pet is in bed or not, you might want to consider seeing your doctor. People with a common medical condition known as sleep apnea might commonly wake at night and feel worn down in the morning. They also tend to snore and have morning headaches. If your sleeping difficulties are related to sleep apnea, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure can help.
When your physician prescribes CPAP treatment, shop for your equipment from a retailer who takes your condition seriously. The respiratory therapists at Breatheeasycpap.com will help you find the most appropriate and effective CPAP mask style for you. They also carry sleep apnea accessories that make treatment as comfortable as possible.
One of the greatest things about CPAP therapy is that you’ll stop snoring immediately, meaning both you and your pet will wake feeling rested.
