Having a pet can be wonderful for your health.
No matter the weather, you know you have to take two walks per day.
While these traits are heartwarming, we have to draw the line somewhere.
No matter how much you love your four-legged friend, sharing your bed is a bad idea.
Disclaimer: I’m not a sleep-with-my-dog kind of gal.
Humans belong in beds, animals on the floor.
You’re not going to convince me otherwise, especially after researching for this article!
However, I may be alone in that stance.
Of the250 diseasesthat have been passed from animals to humans, 100 of those diseases came from domestic animals.
That means your pets could be carrying some nasty diseases like parasites and staph infections.
Why do we sleep with our pets?
“They provide extra warmth on a cold night.
They evoke a sense of security, especially for children who are scared of the dark.
They give an added sense of safety from potential intruders.
It may also create a greater bond between you and your dog.
Let’s face it: it’s hard to beat a warm, furry bundle of unconditional love.”
And listen up, ladies, because we’re the culprits.
Studies show that25 percent of womenreport sleeping with a pet, while only 16 percent of men do.
You could get bubonic plague
Yes, you read that right.
Bubonic plague is not just for European history books.
When our pets share our beds, those fleas can jump off of their fur and onto our sheets.
Sadly, five of these cases of the plague were fatal.
confirm your pet is getting regular trips to the vet to avoid these diseases in the first place.
Say hello to parasites
You probably are on top of your pet’s health.
You schedule those vet appointments, order that heartworm medication, and get those walks in.
However, have you done the same for you?
by a flea-infested cat.
This disease can make you pretty sick and can affect your liver, spleen, and kidneys.
And it doesn’t matter if your cat doesn’t actually scratch you.
Just sleeping next to or being licked by your catcould be enough to pass the disease.
Again, confirm your cat is healthy in the first place.
Then let her sleep in her own bed or space in the house.
Sleeping in bed with your pets not only makes it more likely that they will lick you.
Simply being that close every night can get you sick.
Your pet could pass staph infections
Serious staph infections likeMRSAcan be passed from animals to humans.
MRSA is a bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.
Dogs and cats can carry this bacteria in their mouths and saliva.
Now you’re going to need to sit down before I tell you this next one.
And I hope you didn’t just eat.
A 51-year-old woman in Japan was diagnosed with astaph infection that started in her ear.
No, just no.
Stuffy noses and sneezing does not make for a good night’s sleep."
Chocolate on your pillow
I know what you’re going to say.
Your dog is special; she gets you.
You two can communicate without saying a word, and she’s basically a genius.
But here’s the thing: that genius just left a chocolate on your pillow.
Oh, and it’s not chocolate.
Dogs arenatural scavengersand aren’t afraid of playing with or eating their own poop.
While of course this thought is unsettling, it could also make you sick.
Scientists have determined that a dog sleeping in a child’s room is arisk factor for biting.
Bottom line: keep the kids' rooms off limits.
And watch out for that aggressive behavior in your room, too.
“[Some people] find that sleeping with their animal actually helps them feel cozy.
One woman said her two small dogs kind of warmed her bed.
However, that comforting feeling isn’t enough to cancel out all the bad.
“My community of colleagues do think that it is just always a risk.”
Can’t resist that furry bed companion?
First, go back and reread this article.
Know that disease transmission goes both ways.
It’s just as likely for you to infect your dog as the other way around.
“It’s a two-way street.”
You’re still going to do it, aren’t you?
I get it, your pet is part of the family, and these risks are rare.
If you do choose to keep sharing your bed, verify to be as safe as possible.
verify your pet is getting regular trips to the vet and keeping up with any needed medications.
Give her regular baths, and monitor for any signs of possessive or aggressive behavior.
It then becomes the dog’s bed, not yours.”
