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Pets in the bedroom may be beneficial to sleep

An analysis of patient questionnaires and interviews found that pets were more often unobtrusive or beneficial to sleep than disruptive, according to data published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

"Sounds, movements, crowding, temperature, odors, and allergens are all aspects of the home environment that can interfere with sleep," Lois E. Krahn, MD, a researcher at the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, and colleagues wrote. "Although not commonly examined, a pet in the sleep environment creates the potential for disruptions that compromise sleep quality."

The researchers reported data from 150 consecutive patients seen at the Center for Sleep Medicine between August 2014 and January 2015 who completed a sleep questionnaire. Participants were also interviewed to ascertain additional information about affected sleep and companion animals.

Of the 150 participants, 74 (49%) reported owning pets.

Results showed that 56% of pets slept either in the bedroom or on the bed. Of these participants, 15 (20%) reported disturbed sleep due to their pet and 31 (41%) reported no difficulties or benefits such as security or companionship.

"Pet owners should be counseled to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of having their companion animal in the bedroom at night," Krahn and colleagues wrote. "The medical literature fails to provide any direction on what topics to address with pet owners who have questions about how to manage the needs of pets in the bedroom.

"People should be counseled to prioritize their sleep over the needs of their companion animal," they continued. "The decision to bring a pet or pets into the bedroom or bed should come only after a close examination of the implications for their sleep environment."

Researchers stated that future research should include objective measures of individuals who choose to sleep with an animal in their bedroom. – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes

Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.