All pet owners want the best for their furry friends. It’s important to keep pets healthy and happy, and one of the best ways to do that is being educated about their health needs, including their sleep health.
Owners should be aware of common hazards located around the home, especially poisonous plants. Good nutrition, daily play, and exercise are also important factors in a pet’s overall health and happiness. From early life to old age, our pets need good quality health care and adequate sleep shouldn’t be left out of the plan.
To learn more about how sleep impacts a pet’s health, keep reading. Additional resources regarding all sorts of pet-related information can be found below, as well.
The Sleep Habits Of Cats Vs. Dogs
It’s long been held that cats and dogs are polar opposites when it comes to pets, but what about their sleep cycles? Dogs have polyphasic sleep cycles, which means they sleep for big chunks of time throughout the day. To make the comparison, humans are monophasic, meaning we sleep one big chunk at night (sounds familiar, right?) So it should be no surprise to see the pup snoozing on the couch, floor or just about anywhere multiple times a day.
Cats are even bigger sleepers. Sleep.org says they sleep about 15-20 hours in a 24-hour period – that is a lot of snoozing! “While cats sleep about twice as much as humans and prefer to get their rest through short and long naps instead of one big chunk of slumber at night, they experience similar sleep stages,” says Sleep.org.
Cause for concern comes when a beloved cat or dog starts acting lethargic or sleeping longer hours than usual. This could be a sign of illness or another health issue.
Ways To Help Your Pet Get More Sleep
Exercise
Taking the dog for a run or using a stuffed mouse to entice the cat to play is important not only to wear them out so they’ll sleep but it’s also good for their overall health. It promotes good digestion, helps to keep joints flexible, and reduces the chances of obesity – which can bring on a slew of health issues.
Good Nutrition
Each species of pet – cat, dog, bird, reptile or otherwise – is going to have a specific nutritional profile that should be met to keep them healthy. A well-fed pet will be able to fall asleep and stay asleep, without waking up hungry or agitated. Work with a veterinarian to discuss the best type of food, delivery system and appropriate weight for each pet.
A Comfortable Bed
Just like humans, every pet deserves a healthy and safe sleep environment. For dogs, this may look like a soft dog bed but for cats, birds, rodents or other pets like fish, it’s all about creating a quiet space.
One way to think about it is to think about what a person needs to obtain good quality sleep. For larger animals like dogs and cats, they need a spot to rest that will ease their joints and any tension. All pets need to feel warm (or appropriately warm or cool) and safe and protected – just like us. This will help them to relax and fall asleep and stay asleep.
RELATED: Most Comfortable Mattresses
Routine Visits to the Vet
Keeping tabs on a pet’s health is very important. If a family dog, cat, parakeet, guinea pig, or other animal starts showing signs of stress or acting abnormally, take them in as soon as possible.
Where Should Pets Sleep?
While previous research indicated that letting a pet – specifically a dog – sleep in bed with us may harm our sleep health, a more recent study suggests dogs may have a leg up over cats in this arena.
In a survey that looked at both men and women, 55% of respondents reported sleeping with at least one dog and 31% shared a bed with at least one cat. Of the several notable outcomes from the survey, these points about dogs and cats stuck out:
- Dog owners who allowed their dogs to share their beds reported that doing so was associated with high feelings of comfort and security.
- Cat owners reported that they believed their feline companions to be just as disruptive to their sleep as human bed partners.
“Our data do suggest that dogs commonly rate as better bed partners than cats and may enhance sleep quality,” Christy Hoffman, Ph.D., program director of anthrozoology and associate professor in the Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation and Anthrozoology departments at Canisius College told Mattress Clarity in a previous story.
Some reasons for this may include the “security” characteristics that some dogs have that may make an owner feel safe. Dog owners also reported more consistent sleep cycles and wake times, which means their sleep quality may be slightly higher than to better sleep hygiene.
Never fear, cat lovers. “Characteristics of individual humans and their companion animals are likely to have a big impact on whether bed-sharing is ideal for an individual and their pet,” Hoffman told us.
Tips For Sleeping In Bed With A Pet
Minimize Disruptions
If the pup absolutely must sleep in the bed, consider investing in some earplugs or a white noise machine avoid disruptions. Dogs – and cats – can have dreams that cause them to make noises in the night or shake the bed. Blocking as much of this external noise as possible will help with falling asleep and staying asleep.
Use A Mattress Protector
The last thing any pet owner wants is an accident in bed that voids the warranty on his/her mattress. Like humans, pets can generate accidents that can add damage and staining to a bed. Consider a waterproof mattress protector on top of the mattress to stop any fluids or accidents from happening.
Stay Cool
Dogs and cats have a lot of fur and that can radiate heat from the bed. A cooling mattress and sheets will keep anyone from sleeping hot with a pet in the bed. Add a fan to the room to keep air circulating as well.
Kick Them Out If Necessary
Sleep is an essential part of good sleep health. Struggling with sleep deprivation just to keep a pet in bed is not recommended by any health expert. If sleep is becoming disrupted and signs of sleep deprivation are appearing, like depression, mistakes at work and chronic sleepiness, it may be time for the beloved pet to find his or her own bed.
Additional Resources
Household Hazards to Pets
- Pet Care: Household Hazards: AVMA shares the foods, chemicals, medications, and other household items that can cause potential harm to a pet.
- Cats: Ten Common Household Hazards: For the cat-lovers, PetMD shares ten common hazards for cats that can be found in the home. Cats can be awfully curious, roaming about the house and finding themselves in the tiniest nooks and crannies: Being aware of these ten items will prolong a cat’s life and keep cat owners from terrible heartache.
- Intended for Pets But Still Dangerous: The Humane Society shares items that are intended for pets but can pose a potential health risk to an animal.
- Toxic Household Plants and Small Objects: From decorations to household ornaments, TexVetPets shares the tiny, unnoticeable objects that can pose dangers to pets.
Travel Safety for Pets
- Tips for Traveling Safely WithPets: ASPCA goes into detail about transportation methods and the steps to take before owners and pets take a trip.
- Traveling by Air With Pets: The Center for Pet Safety informs pet owners of the risks of traveling by air with a pet as well as the steps to take beforehand.
- Traveling With Pets Guide: Travel in style and comfort with this essential guide to roaming around with your furry friend.
- Domestic and Foreign Travel Policy for Pets: The Department of Agriculture lists the rules and regulations for traveling near or far with a pet.
Proper Exercise and Nutrition for Your Pet
- Preventing Diseases in Pets: Just like in humans, eating and exercising correctly is essential to a pet’s health. Harmony Vet Center goes into detail about the ways to prevent pet diseases through exercise and proper diet.
- Dietary Differences Between Dogs and Cats : Establishing the different needs of dogs and cats, this article clearly outlines the specific requirements of each pet.
- Dietary Tips to Help Your Chubby Kitty: Do you have one of those adorable fat cats? As cute as they can be, obesity can reduce their lifespan significantly.
Poisonous Plants for Pets
- Poisonous Plants for Pets: Pet Poison Helpline receives dozens of calls every day from worried pet owners whose pet ate a plant that could be poisonous. Here, they explain the most poisonous plants for dogs and cats.
- Keeping Pets Safe in the Garden: Know the plants to avoid growing or storing as well as the steps to take in your garden so a wandering pet doesn’t run into trouble.
- Backyard Plants to Remove: If you just moved in or just got a new furry friend, this article can help you find the plants in your backyard that can be dangerous to pets.
- Best vs. Worst Plants: Apart from learning which plants not to grow in the garden, find out which ones are pet-friendly.
Training Basics for Your New Pet
- Five Commands to Teach Your Dog Right Now: “Dog whisperer” Cesar Millan shares the five most fundamental commands a pet owner can teach to their pet at a young age.
- Different Training Methods: There are many ways to train a dog. The American Kennel Club addresses different methods of training and how to keep the dog engaged during each session here.
- How to Train Your Pet Effectively: Pedigree shares the top ten training steps that owners can take starting with the moment they walk them through the door.
- Training for Beginners: Training a new pet can be tough, especially if you are new to pet ownership.
Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet
- Potential Dangers and Taking Action: The U.S. Food Drug Administration lists potentially hazardous materials that can cause harm to your pets and what to do in case of an emergency.
- Common Household Poisons for Pets: Most people love grapes, but did you know they could be seriously dangerous for pets? Vet Street informs pet owners about different items that can be harmful to pets as well as the best way to respond in case of an unfortunate event.
- Dogs and Cats Should Never Eat This: Bustle shares common substances that you would think would be harmless to a pet but actually are very dangerous.
- Beware of the Garage: Many products sitting on garage shelves can hurt pets. This article lists item to avoid keeping within their reach.
Preventing Ticks on Your Pets
- Preventative Measures to Avoid Ticks: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inform pet owners about the best preventative products that can protect your pet from ticks.
- Natural Solution for Ticks: Many chemical solutions can help keep ticks away from your pet, but these three natural remedies are also worth a try.
- Finding and Removing Ticks: After a day at the lake or in the woods, make sure to follow these guidelines to check your pet for ticks and remove them.
Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet
- Anticipate Disasters Before They Happen: Ready.gov offers information each pet owner can use to keep themselves and their pets safe.
- Plans for Natural Disasters: Learn what to do to keep your fluffy friend safe in case of a natural disaster.
- Pet Disaster Preparedness: Knowing the steps to take when a tornado, hurricane, or flood is imminent can save valuable time and keep you and your pets safe.
Miscellaneous Pet Information
- Introducing a Baby Into the Picture: Families can take steps to make sure a pet is ready for the arrival of a newborn.
- Interesting Fact About Dogs: We all know a dog wags its tail when it is happy or excited, but did you know it has 42 teeth when it is fully grown?
Featured image: Rasulov/Shutterstock
