The importance of sleep for overall health cannot be overstated. Researchers are constantly exploring ways to improve sleep quality, but a surprising new finding suggests that the key to a good night’s rest might be as simple as having a dog nearby. A study from Canisius College in New York State has shown that women sleep better when they share their bed with a dog rather than with a human partner or a cat.
Dr. Christy Hoffman, an animal behaviorist and the lead researcher of the study, stated, “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.”
Hoffman’s conclusions are based on a survey of nearly 1,000 American women. According to the study, 55% of the participants shared their bed with a dog, 31% with a cat, and 57% with a human partner. Interestingly, dogs appeared to provide the most comfortable sleeping experience.
One reason for this, Hoffman found, is that dogs have sleep patterns that are more closely aligned with human sleep patterns than those of cats. “It is not surprising that dogs and cats have different sleep schedules because dogs’ major sleep periods tend to coincide more closely with humans’ than do cats’,” she explained.
Though these findings are intriguing, Hoffman suggests that more research is needed to fully understand why dogs might be better sleeping companions. She speculates that dogs may be more adaptable to their owner’s sleep schedule than human partners, who often have different sleep and wake times. This discrepancy in human partners’ schedules can lead to sleep disruptions, whereas dogs might be better at syncing with their owner’s routine.
Another factor that contributes to better sleep is the structured routines dogs require, such as early morning walks. These routines can help pet owners maintain a consistent sleep schedule, which in turn improves sleep quality.
Dogs also tend to remain still during the night, unlike fidgety human partners or cats that may come and go from the bed. This stability is a key reason why women in the study reported better sleep with dogs. Hoffman noted, “We discovered that dog owners tended to go to bed and wake up earlier than cat owners and also adhered to more regular bedtime and wake time schedules.”
Perhaps the most significant reason women sleep better with dogs is the sense of security they provide. “Some dog owners may find comfort in knowing their pet will alert them in case of an intruder or emergency, and a dog’s barking might deter a potential intruder,” Hoffman said. In contrast, cats are less likely to offer this type of psychological reassurance.
While the study suggests that dogs are ideal sleeping companions, it also acknowledges that the benefits can vary. For instance, a dog might snore or cause the bed to become too warm. Additionally, many pet owners report that their cats help them fall asleep, showing that the ideal sleep partner can depend on individual preferences.
It’s important to note that the study relied on participants’ perceptions of how their pets affected their sleep. As a result, further objective research is needed to definitively say that dogs make better sleeping companions. However, Hoffman believes that this line of research is valuable, especially given the prevalence of pets in American households.
“This research will be helpful in understanding the contexts in which co-sleeping with a pet may negatively or positively impact sleep quality,” she said.
Future studies may use devices similar to Fitbits to objectively measure sleep quality under different sleeping conditions, potentially providing more insight into the best sleep practices. For example, while some studies indicate that women sleep better alone than with a human partner, many people believe the opposite. Understanding these dynamics can help improve sleep quality for everyone.
