We love our pets as family members. So much so that often we even allow them to share our beds with us at night.

But recently, more discussion has opened up surrounding this idea and questioning whether it’s the right thing to do. While there are some benefits to be weighed out for both human and pet, there are also some dangers of allowing your fur friend to share your bed.

Opinions will differ depending on who you ask. True dog lovers will let their pet share their bed until the day they die, but some medical professionals may continue advising you otherwise. We’ll lay out the facts for you and let you decide where you stand.

The Benefits of Sharing Your Bed with Your Pet

If you have a well-adjusted and well-behaved dog, the benefits of him or her sleeping with you may be worth the risks. For one thing, sharing a bed with your dog can be comfortable! Dogs are great bed warmers since their body temperature rests several degrees higher than ours - not to mention how cuddly and soft they can be.

Sharing your bed can also help you relax and sleep easier at night. They offer an additional blanket of security and safety during the night, as you know they will easily be alerted to any disturbances.

Psychologically, you and your dog will both benefit as well.  Being near a dog can make your heartbeats synchronize, and the human heart rate begins to lower. Sleeping alongside your dog also enhances the dog-owner bond and increases the feel-good hormones in our body that increase happiness.

Cautions for Sleeping with Your Pet

Even though it can be meaningful to have your pets sleep alongside you, sometimes the risks are worth considering. These facts may convince you that it’s better to crate your pet or leave them on a dog bed instead:

• Once you let your dog sleep on the bed with you, it is very hard to reverse.
• Rarely, diseases can be transmitted between dogs and humans.

• As polyphasic sleepers, dogs have several sleep cycles at night, which are known to wake up humans. This tendency can be very difficult for a person who already has trouble falling and staying asleep. 53% of dog owners who sleep with their dogs get woken up at least once during the night.

• Dogs carry allergens that are tracked inside through their fur and paws. Humans with allergies can suffer from these allergens that end up on the bed.
• Even with a housebroken dog, it is likely that he or she may still leak on the bed at night, jeopardizing the health and cleanliness of your bed.

Now that you have the facts, it is up to you to decide whether your dog should sleep alongside you or not. A great deal of your decision comes down to your sleep habits, whether you have allergies and basic preferences. No matter which you choose, you’ll be backed by the science proving your point.

Author’s bio: Ashley Little is a writer for Mattress Advisor, a site dedicated to helping others get their best night’s sleep each night.