Recent studies brought good news for pet lovers: dogs can live longer years if they sleep with their owners.
This practice brings different benefits to the animal. Also, good pet owners are aware of the animals’ needs in terms of comfort, interaction, and love.
Dogs can live longer if they have this routine
Helps strengthen the bond.
Dr. Carble, a veterinary director of the North American veterinary community, highlighted in a conversation with CNN this practice.
“It is very good for animals to sleep with their owners. Pets that share the bed with their humans tend to have a higher level of confidence and a closer bond. It is a great show of trust on their part,” she said.Â
Oxytocin and dopamine, hormones that produce feelings of well-being in both animals and people, increase in pets that have a close bond with their humans.
If the dog suffers from anxiety or stress, any illness, or is elderly, it may be useful for them to fall asleep next to someone they trust and care for. Close physical contact relaxes the anxiety they feel and relieves the stress they experience.
The decision to sleep with your dog ultimately depends on each person, as many dogs naturally climb onto the bed. Even, in many cases, under the covers, to sleep with their owners.
What are the benefits for people
The benefits of sleeping with your dog.
Research and subjective human experiences suggest that sleeping with a pet can provide a variety of benefits.
Some people choose a pet, particularly a dog, for security and protection.
Even in cases of certain conditions or pathologies, service dogs can provide emotional support to people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when they have a nightmare.
They are trained to identify physical signals, so they can interrupt the nightmare by waking the person up.
In a study of veterans with service dogs for PTSD, 57% stated that their dog helped alleviate their nightmare problems.
Having a pet can reduce anxiety and loneliness, alleviate symptoms of mental illnesses, help regulate emotions, and provide a sense of purpose in life.
The unconditional love of a pet can increase oxytocin levels in adults, reduce cortisol levels in children, which is associated with relaxation and stress reduction.
The benefits of sleeping with your dog.
The relaxing effect of interacting with a pet seems to be due, at least in part, to physical contact, so cuddling with the dog can calm the mind and promote tranquility.
There are also studies showing that people with pets are less likely to take sleeping medications, stating that sleeping with their pet benefits their sleep.
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