Why You Should Let Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed

Should you let your dog sleep in bed with you? Some people love to cozy up with their pooch at night, while others say a separate dog bed or even a crate is the way to go.

So what’s the better choice? It comes down to personal preference, but turns out there are a number of ways in which letting your dog sleep in bed with you has its benefits.

1. It’s A Cure For Insomnia

Do you have trouble sleeping? Tossing and turning all night can leave you exhausted and irritable. If you regularly struggle with this problem, you’ve likely turned to multiple methods to try and remedy the situation — everything from relaxing music, a white noise machine and blackout shades to prescription pills.

The actual solution may lie in your furry friend. A Mayo Clinic study showed that having pets in bed actually helped their owners sleep. Their rhythmic breathing, the warmth they provide and their general soothing presence may all be reasons why.

sleep with dog photo
Flickr | Jo Naylor

2. It’s An Easy (And Cheap!) Way To Spoil Your Pup

If you’re a dog lover, it can be tempting to spoil them with everything they could ever want or need, including extra-long walks, organic treats, tastes of human food and special toys. All of that takes time and/or money, though.

Why not let your dog snooze in your bed for an easy, free way to spoil them rotten? Remember, dogs like cuddling with us as much as we like cuddling with them!

dog in bed photo
Flickr | dailyinvention

RELATED: What To Do If You Or Your Dog Gets Sprayed By A Skunk—and It Doesn’t Involve Tomato Juice

3. Dogs Double As A Security System

Dogs tend to react to things that go bump in the night. You’ll likely feel safer if your dog is right in the room with you to warn you of possible danger.

dog in bed photo
Flickr | [SiK-photo]

4. It Keeps Your Dog On Your Schedule

Did you ever notice that your dog mimics your behavior? If you’re busy and running around, your dog may follow you from room to room. If you’re parked in front of the TV, your dog is likely to join you.

If you like to sleep in, having your dog in bed with you may encourage him to do the same. Give it a try, and those 5 a.m. wake-up calls may become a thing of the past.

dog alarm clock photo
Flickr | Army Medicine

5. Plus, It’s Just Plain Cute

Let’s face it. Nothing is cuter than the sight of a dog all tucked in like a human. Just think of all the adorable early-morning selfies you’ll be able to capture if you let your dog sleep in bed!

dog in bed photo
Flickr | JohnONolan

[h/t PureWow]