Things to Remember Before Letting Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed
There’s nothing quite as fun or comforting as cuddling your dog in your own bed. It’s a really effective way to give yourself some positive vibes as well as a sense of security during bedtime. Even though they can sometimes be a handful, some studies show that welcoming dogs in your bed might actually improve how well you sleep.
On the other hand, there are also other studies (and dog owners) that argue the exact opposite: that bringing pets to bed can cause insomnia. And in a way, both arguments are right. Bringing your dog to bed is a personal choice, and the only way to really see whether it can help you sleep or not is to try it. Before you let your favorite fur baby on your mattress, there are a few things that you need to consider:
Make Sure Your Dog is Well Groomed
Letting a dirty, smelly, or infested dog on your mattress is a recipe for disaster. Even if you think that your dog is completely clean, check twice or even thrice for any parasites that might be hiding in her fur. Make sure that even nooks and crannies like the paws and ears are clean as well. Get rid of all the loose hair you can before actually letting the dog on your bed. If necessary, trim your dog’s nails to avoid damage to your bedding (or your skin).
Toilet Train Your Bed Buddy
Part of basic dog training is establishing places where they’re allowed to relieve themselves. If your dog still pees anywhere he wants to, then it might not be a good idea to set aside a spot for him on your mattress. Naturally, if you wake up in a damp bed, it’s going to be very difficult to get back to sleep again.
Prepare Your Bed for Your Furry Monster
Let’s face it: no matter how adorable your dog is, at the end of the day, she is bound to make a mess in your bed. That’s what furry monsters do. Let’s just hope that it’s a small mess. But in case it’s not, you should cover your bed with a waterproof mattress protector. This is the best way to isolate the mattress from any incidents involving dog poop and pee. In case anything like that happens, a waterproof cover can at least confine the mess to the sheets, which are much easier to clean than any thick mattress.
About the Author: Peter Mutuc is a freelance writer, licensed nurse, and sleep enthusiast from Los Angeles, California. After traveling through SE Asia to learn of his heritage, he joined a few of his colleagues at One Bed Mattress. He practices Zen meditation daily and prefers living a natural health lifestyle.
