The practice of sharing a bed with pets is becoming increasingly common. According to a Mayo Clinic study, 56% of the pet owners surveyed sleep with their pets, and 41% report that their pet\u2019s presence helps reduce anxiety and promotes a sense of well-being. \u201cSleep and Its Relationship to the Health of Pet Owners and Pets\u201d was the topic discussed in the most recent edition of Biolab Cast Conectados, a project by Biolab Farmac\u00eautica in partnership with Avert Biolab Sa\u00fade Animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The episode features Dr. Luiz Dieckmann, a psychiatrist, and Paula Dieckmann, a neurologist, who were joined by guests who are experts on human and animal sleep: Professor M\u00e1rcio Zanini, a psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist who serves as deputy coordinator of the Department of Sleep Medicine at the Brazilian Psychiatric Association (ABP); and veterinarian Rita Ericson, founder of the TanatoVet group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter a good night\u2019s sleep, with adequate rest, those negative emotions from the previous day tend to be less intense,\u201d explains psychiatrist M\u00e1rcio Zanini. \u201cA person with insomnia is in a hyper-alert state, in which they have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; that\u2019s why this patient must strictly follow good sleep hygiene, with as few external stimuli as possible. A pet that sleeps in the same bed causes the owner to experience fragmented sleep, so it\u2019s important in these cases for the animal to sleep elsewhere,\u201d he cautioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Veterinarian Rita Ericson explained that pets such as dogs and cats have different sleep patterns than humans: while an adult dog may sleep between 15 and 18 hours a day, in short cycles of about 30 minutes, cats typically rest for 14 to 16 hours, in 20-minute intervals. This characteristic stems from the animals\u2019 vigilant nature; even when domesticated, they still retain the instinct to remain alert to sounds and smells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they age, pets may experience changes in their sleep patterns; some develop a form of cognitive dysfunction syndrome that disrupts their sleep-wake cycle and can affect the rest of the household. \u201cAlthough it can be hard to tell when your pet hasn\u2019t had a good night\u2019s sleep\u2014since they don\u2019t have \u201cdark circles\u201d under their eyes\u2014the effects of sleep deprivation are very similar to those in humans, and it\u2019s essential to ensure they get quality rest,\u201d says Rita Erickson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And when it comes to sharing a bed with your pet, it\u2019s important to respect each other\u2019s space. Being close to their owner at that moment can provide a sense of security and comfort for both the animal and the human; however, movement during the night can disrupt the pet\u2019s rest, and if the pet is in pain or discomfort, it may even react. \u201cIf your pet likes to sleep in bed with you, that\u2019s good for both of you; the important thing is that it\u2019s their choice and not something forced on them,\u201d concludes veterinarian Rita Erickson.
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