Polls show big cultural differences in whether pets are allowed in their owners' beds. But with risks ranging from lost sleep to parasite exposure, what do experts say about when a furry bedtime companion is harmless — and when it’s better to keep them off the covers? Berlin (dpa) – Does your dog get to sleep on your bed? That probably depends on which country you live in, as polls suggest numbers vary greatly from place to place. In Germany, around one in three pets are allowed to sleep on their owners' bed, significantly more than in Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy, a YouGov poll showed. At 29% Germany had the highest share of pet owners saying they share their bed with their four-legged friend, while Switzerland had the lowest at about one fifth. However most pets appear to sleep in their own basket or cage, according to respondents in Europe. In the United Kingdom, research from the consumer website MoneySuperMarket showed that nearly half (44%) of British dog and cat owners share their bed with their pets. The numbers appear to be similar at 45% in the Netherlands, where 50% of owners even allow their pet to lick their face, according to a study in 2009. Age may also make a difference, and one US survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine showed 53% of younger residents who are members of Generation Z and are now between 13 and 28 sleep with a pet, while just 36% of Baby Boomers do. Sleep and hygiene vs pet in the bed So is letting a dog up on the bed a good idea? That depends, and differing opinions have been heard from pathologists, animal welfare experts and sleep researchers. The German Animal Welfare Association, for one, sees no fundamental problem with sharing the bed with pets. "It is neither particularly harmful nor particularly beneficial for the animal to sleep in the bed — it remains an individual choice," a spokeswoman said. "For dogs and cats, sleeping in their owner's bed is generally not a problem." The only important thing, she said, is that hygienic conditions such as regular deworming are in place and that the animal is free of ticks and fleas. Fleas and ticks can also carry diseases, and several worm species can be transferred from dogs to humans. The same goes for skin fungal infections and giardia, which can cause intestinal problems. Regular parasite prevention is therefore important, but this should be done regardless of whether the animal is allowed in bed with you or not. A 2022 scientific analysis in the Netherlands concluded there is a risk that pets pass on pathogens to their owners in the bed, particularly for humans with weaker immune systems. "Sharing a bed … highly elevates the exposure rate to pathogens that may be present. Therefore, it is of great importance that owners have a good understanding of how to interact with their pets in a responsible way," the veterinary and microbiology researchers said. "This is especially advised for young, old, pregnant or immunocompromised owners, who are at a greater risk if they develop infections." Dogs and cats should always be banned from the beds of babies and toddlers. Not only could a child be scratched or bitten, there's also the danger of babies suffocating, "for example, if the dog lies down on the child's face or paws the blanket over the child," says animal welfare expert Lea Schmitz. Never a good idea for small animals Smaller animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs "under no circumstances" belong in the bed, say animal rights experts, as they could be crushed while someone is asleep. "They are not cuddly toys," the German Animal Welfare Association spokeswoman said. In addition, they need contact with their own kind and sufficient opportunities to retreat in their enclosure. Another factor, for humans at least, is the potential loss of sleep, and light sleepers find it easier if the dog stays elsewhere at night. Research has shown that many who allow their dog up on the bed are woken up in the middle of the night. The UK polling data showed one in three lose sleep because their pets wake them up. In the United States, almost half (46%) of respondents say they sleep with their pets. Of those, 19% said their sleep is worse due to the pets in the bed while 46% report sleeping better due to their furry friend. The following information is not intended for publication dpa sak mew xxde coh
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