Sleeping with Pets May Disrupt Your Rest but Many Say It’s Worth It

Sharing your bed with a furry friend might sound cozy—and for millions of pet lovers, it is. But according to a recent Associated Press article by Albert Stumm, it may come at a cost to your sleep quality.

Experts like Melissa Milanak, a sleep psychologist at the Medical University of South Carolina, point out that while having a pet brings comfort and reduces stress, the benefits might not extend to bedtime. Dogs, for instance, tend to wake multiple times at night and may scratch, shift, or whine—all of which can disrupt your ability to fall into deep, restorative sleep. Cats, on the other hand, are crepuscular—most active at dawn and dusk—which is exactly when many humans would rather be dozing.

Brian Chin, a social and health psychology professor at Trinity College, adds that sleeping with pets has been correlated with lower sleep quality and more insomnia symptoms. Interestingly, he notes that many pet owners hesitate to admit this, perhaps out of guilt or love for their animals.

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Even so, many pet owners wouldn’t trade the nighttime cuddles for uninterrupted REM sleep. Georgia resident Angela Wilson admits that her golden retriever, Sadie, has a fancy bed of her own—but prefers snuggling back-to-back with her human anyway.

If you’re not waking up exhausted, experts say there’s no need to change your routine. But if sleep issues persist, consider shifting your pet’s sleeping spot or adjusting your schedule to better align with their rhythms.

Let’s be honest—if something brings joy, comfort, and connection, even if it’s a little disruptive, maybe that’s worth more than eight hours of uninterrupted z’s. And when it comes to our animal companions, love often wins out.

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