If you're looking for ways to rest better at night, your dog may be able to help. Keeping your pets in your bedroom could improve your quality of sleep, according to new research.
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Scientists from the Mayo Clinic recently conducted a study to determine how catching some zzz’s with your pup can affect bedtime.
To do so, they examined 40 healthy adults who did not have sleep disorders and their dogs over a five-month period. Both the participants and their doggies wore activity devices that tracked their sleep patterns each night.
After analyzing the results, they found that those who kept their dogs in their bedroom experienced better quality of sleep, compared to those who didn’t.
However, those who snuggled with their pet in bed actually suffered from lower quality of sleep. The sleep benefit extended only to having dogs in your bedroom ─ not in your bed, the study said.
"Most people assume having pets in the bedroom is a disruption," lead researcher Lois Krahn said in a statement. "We found that many people actually find comfort and a sense of security from sleeping with their pets."
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While their study only assessed a small group and dogs over the age of five months, they believe their findings prove that the relationship between people and their pets has changed over time.
“Today, many pet owners are away from their pets for much of the day, so they want to maximize their time with them when they are home,” Krahn said. “Having them in the bedroom at night is an easy way to do that. And, now, pet owners can find comfort knowing it won’t negatively impact their sleep.”
