In advice curated specifically for UK bed specialist Bensons for Beds, leading international pet behaviour expert Dilly Kitchlew Williamson has revealed why sleeping with your cat or dog is a bad idea, and why ‘sleep divorcing’ your pet would always be top of her to do list for her clients to ensure a quality night’s sleep for both owner and pet.
Kitchlew Williamson explains: “It’s never a good idea to start sleeping with your pet in the bed as it’s such a hard habit to break. What’s more, it can be dangerous (for the owner and pet) and brings little to no benefits for either of you and, excluding assistance and therapy dogs, separate sleeping arrangements would be the best thing for both human and animal well-being.”
Kitchlew Williamson, who works with a variety of high net worth individuals including Royals, aristocrats and celebrity clients, also explains that your pet might not always want to share a bed – and if not, they will let you know about it, so look for the signs. “Pets who don’t want to be shut in the same bedroom will show restlessness – often panting, pacing and possibly being quite vocal. It might be the case that they actually want to start sleeping in their own space.”
Sharing a bed might be particularly troublesome for owners of dog breeds who are prone to sleep problems, such as bulldogs whose short, flat faces and narrowed airways make them vulnerable to snoring and sleep apnea. More ‘clingy’ dog breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Labs might also take to sleeping in their owners’ bed more than other breeds and be harder to eject once they’ve started.
Kitchlew Williamson adds that ‘sleep divorcing’ your pet might actually improve your relationship with your four-legged friend. “People sometimes think that being as close as possible to your pet all the time, even in bed, is a way to strengthen your bond. In truth, it’s healthy to have time apart from your pet and to set boundaries, which in turn can improve the quality of time that you do spend with them.”
If you don’t want your dog or cat in bed with you, the best advice is to not let them in the first place, but what if you already have?
With sleep divorce popular amongst couples who aren’t always compatible in the bedroom, how can you adapt this concept to your furry friend at bedtime? Dilly explains how to transition a pet to their own bed, whether they are asking for it or not!
Bensons for Beds and Dilly Kitchlew Williamson’s three tips for sleep divorcing your pet
- “Start by making the basket or bed you want to transition the pet to more rewarding than yours. Something plush, soft and close to your bed would work nicely. Dogs like to be cocooned in a soft surface, and cats will often like to hide away in covered area, so choose something that is appropriate to the type/breed of your pet.”
- “Let them know it’s bedtime with a toy or a chew that they can take into their basket or bed at bedtime only. This, done over a few nights, will signal that this is their time to settle down and go to sleep, and acts as a reward for getting into their own space and not your bed.”
- “For dog owners, make sure your dog has been to the toilet and had a small drink before taking them upstairs to bed. Even if they’re not sharing a bed with you, you don’t want to be disturbed in the night with them getting up, so it may be necessary to reschedule their habits to get them into a good nighttime routine.”
Bensons for Beds Brand Manager, Rachel Marshall, adds: “While we all love snuggling with our pets, sharing a bed with them can bring a host of unwanted side effects, from disrupted sleep to allergy flare-ups. Choosing to ‘sleep divorce‘ your pet isn’t about losing that bond; it’s about protecting your own rest and sleep quality. You can still enjoy cuddling on the sofa but it’s clear that your bed should remain a pet-free sanctuary just for you.”
For further advice on reclaiming your sleep, and keeping the cat or dog off of your bed for good, visit the Bensons for Beds website.
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