STOP Sharing Your Bed with Your Dog!
I know how much you love your dog, but sleeping in the same bed might not be the best idea. Oh, and don’t get me wrong! This isn’t about loving your dog less, it’s about protecting your wellbeing and creating healthy habits. Setting some clear boundaries might seem impossible, especially after you’ve spent a long time sleeping together. But… it’s not! Embrace the change and reclaim your space!
You might not realize that having a restful sleep is extremely important and you shouldn’t let anyone destroy it. After countless tasks that need to be done during the day, all you want to do is enjoy some time for yourself and just rest. Unfortunately, having a four-legged little friend right by your side can be a little challenging, especially after a long day.
It starts innocently. We all think it would be a great idea to let our dog just hop ”for a minute”, but before we even realize the minute turns into a sweet nightly tradition. Am I right? Ha, ha… I’ve been there and I’ve done that, so I know exactly how hard it is to resist in front of that sweet little eyes that would do anything just to be by your side.
However, I had to learn the hard way that I should’ve set clear boundaries long ago. Currently, I am not only dealing with establishing a new routine, but I’m also dealing with an allergic type of asthma.
I still can’t believe that it happened to me. I‘ve had pets since I can remember and I’ve always loved to do everything with them. Unfortunately, prevention can sometimes play a huge role, and all I can say is that I truly regret that I wasn’t more responsible. No one says that you should get rid of your pets. All you need to do is to rethink your space and teach them how to respect some simple rules. This way, you will be able to enjoy the company, while also taking care of yourself.
5 Risks of Sleeping with Dogs
I know, sleeping with your pet might bring you joy, but in reality, it puts your life in danger.
1. Allergies
I wasn’t an allergic person, until about 5 years ago when I instantly developed an allergic asthma. I instantly freaked out and I didn’t understand how developing such a serious issue was even possible. I spent most of my childhood in nature, at my grandparent’s house and I was surrounded by pets since I can remember. So, this serious health issue came out of nowhere.
The interesting part is that my doctor told me that one of the factors that highly influenced my problem was the pets I lived with.
I always knew deep down in my heart that sharing everything with my dog might not be the greatest idea, but I never believed that I would get so incredibly unlucky to develop such a dangerous condition because of it.
I remember sneezing a few times per day and always having my eyes red and itchy, but I never took into consideration that I might be allergic to my furry friend.
Unfortunately, since the breathing problems began, I had to make some drastic changes in my home. I currently need to keep everything perfectly clean and never let my sweet dog touch my sheets again. When I understood how dangerous things could get, setting some boundaries didn’t seem inappropriate anymore.
So, I know you feel like you are immune. But trust me when I say that it can also happen to you. Don’t wait until it’s too late and make a change now. Improve your home cleaning routine, be more cautious with all the hair from your pet, and keep your bedroom tidy.
2. Germ exposure
Admit it or not, no matter how clean your dog is, it will still be a source of germs, especially for your bedroom which should be always kept perfectly tidy. All those unwanted germs brought into your sanctuary can have both positive and negative effects. But, unfortunately, the negative ones are significantly more dangerous and outshine the positive ones.
However, let’s start with the good part. Just think about this for a second: if you are always exposed to all kinds of germs, it may help strengthen your immune system. On the other hand, all pets carry harmful bacteria that shouldn’t be in contact with your bedroom.
You should be extra cautious not only for yourself but also for your family members. For example, small kids might be more sensitive to these germs. Do your best to keep them away from all the affected zones of your home.
3. Disruption
No matter how much you love your pet, there will always be some nighttime disruptions, am I right? I have a huge Golden Retriever, so I know exactly what I am talking about. The larger pets can take up more than their fair share of bed space, letting you sleep uncomfortably.
Considering our busy schedules and daily tasks, we need quality sleep during the night. So, to minimize sleep disturbances, I recommend you sleep alone or with your partner. Your dog should have its own space to rest. It doesn’t mean that you love him less, it just means that you put yourself and your health first.
4. Territorial behavior
Some dogs can become extremely aggressive at the most unexpected times. For example, my sweet Golden Retriever almost bit my nephew just because he sat on her side of the bed. Isn’t that crazy?
It happened right after my asthma diagnosis, in a period when I was trying to figure out what’s the best way to change our life system. Luna’s aggressive behavior made me more confident in what I was doing and within a week I made sure to ensure a different sleeping space for her.
The best would be to train your dog from a small age to sleep alone. There are countless cute sleeping beds for pets available on Amazon. So, if you are a new pet owner, I definitely encourage you to check them out. As long as you train your dog from the beginning about the rules it needs to follow, your life will become significantly easier.
I recently purchased this waterproof bed for my Golden Retriever. And, by far, what I love most about it is that the cover is removable and washable, so it’s extremely easy to keep everything tidy. This specific one is perfect for large dog breeds, but there are a lot of other great brands that sell these types of beds. You can choose your favorite color and even match it with your home design.
I personally liked the pink one and as soon as I saw it at one of my friends I ordered it online. It fits my living room perfectly and Luna loves it.
5. Furniture damage
Letting your dog sleep in your bed can easily lead to… damage. Most of us don’t even notice it happening right away, but over time, pets leave their mark on your expensive mattress, bedframe, and sheets.
It might not sound like a big deal, but it can be highly frustrating, especially for those who invest considerable amounts in their home’s design. My other three dogs, Max, Milp, and Baxter never really loved sleeping in my bed. They have their own space in the house since I adopted them. Things were different for Luna because she was the first one I’d got. It was harder to change her habits after 5 years, compared to the smaller breeds who were highly understanding from the moment they entered my house.
If you liked the article and found it useful, here’s what to read next: 6 Irritating Dog Habits: Here’s Why Your Pup’s Fed Up With You!
