The Importance of Sleep for Health
It’s well-known that quality sleep is crucial for overall health, prompting extensive research on how to achieve it. Forget traditional methods like chamomile tea and bedtime meditation. According to a recent study from Canisius College in New York State, women sleep better next to dogs than they do with humans or cats.
Dogs Enhance Women’s Sleep Quality
Christy Hoffman, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist and the study’s lead researcher, found that women often rate dogs as superior bed partners compared to cats and human partners. “We found that women commonly rate dogs as better bed partners than cats and human partners and report that their dogs enhance their sleep quality,” said Hoffman.
Survey Insights: Women, Dogs, and Better Sleep
Hoffman surveyed nearly one thousand women across the United States. The results revealed that 55% of participants shared their bed with at least one dog, 31% with at least one cat, and 57% with a human partner. The study explored why dogs might be better sleep companions than cats or humans.
Aligning Sleep Patterns
One reason dogs may be ideal bed companions is that their sleep patterns align more closely with human sleep schedules than cats do. “The difference between dogs and cats is not surprising because dogs’ major sleep periods tend to coincide more closely with humans’ than do cats’,” explained Hoffman.
While more research is needed to confirm these benefits, Hoffman has some theories. “Dogs may be better at accommodating their human’s sleep schedule,” she said. “It’s not uncommon for human bed partners to go to bed and wake up at different times, disrupting sleep. Dogs may adapt more readily to their owner’s schedule.”
Routine and Responsibility
Dogs also bring routine and responsibility, such as morning walks, which can help owners maintain a consistent schedule, further improving sleep quality.
Stillness and Security
Additionally, dogs tend to stay still while sleeping, unlike fidgety human partners or cats that come and go. “Cats may be more likely than dogs to create disruptions by moving on and off the bed during the night,” Hoffman noted. Dog owners also kept more consistent sleep schedules, going to bed and waking up earlier than cat owners.
The most significant reason dogs enhance sleep quality is the sense of security they provide. Hoffman explained, “Some dog owners may take comfort in the thought that their dog will alert them in case of an intruder or emergency; a dog’s bark may deter potential intruders, offering psychological comfort.”
The Best Partner for Quality Sleep
While the study suggests dogs are excellent sleep companions, this is subjective. Factors like snoring or body heat can vary. Some cat owners also report better sleep with their pets. The research is based on the participants’ perceptions of their pets’ impact on sleep quality, necessitating further objective studies.
Future Research Directions
Hoffman believes continued research is essential, given the prevalence of pets in American households. “It will be valuable to continue this line of research to develop a clearer picture of the contexts under which pets in their owner’s bed may positively impact sleep quality, and when co-sleeping with a pet may be detrimental,” she said.
Future studies might use devices like Fitbits to objectively track sleep quality in different conditions, addressing common beliefs about sleeping alone versus with a human partner.
