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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWomen of the DU: Do you feel more secure in bed with a dog, a cat or a man?
This study indicates dogs are the winner:
The study, published in the Journal of the International Society of Anthrozoology, collected data from 962 adult women, 55 percent of which shared the bed with at least one dog, 31 percent with at least one cat, and 57 percent with a human partner.
Researchers found dogs who slept in their owner's beds, "were perceived to disturb sleep less and were associated with stronger feelings of comfort and security."
Cats, however, are a different story. Researchers noted the the cats were, "equally as disruptive as human partners," and were, "associated with weaker feelings of comfort and security than both human and dog bed partners."
https://kimatv.com/news/offbeat/women-sleep-better-with-dogs-in-the-bed-over-cats-and-human-partners
AJT
(5,240 posts)LisaM
(27,800 posts)My SO could sleep through a truck running into the house across the street. My (sadly, gone) boy dog barked once when we were staying in a hotel and they slipped the receipt under the door at 4:00 a.m.! (My previous boy dog always barked when the morning paper was delivered, until I read that the way to get him to stop was to thank him for alerting us to the danger, and patting him).
violetpastille
(1,483 posts)No way.
True Dough
(17,301 posts)My wife and I have always been in agreement on that. No dog(s) on the couch, either. There's always a plush cushion or two designated for the pet. Somewhere nearby, so they still get plenty of attention, but they're not in the way.
Autumn
(45,042 posts)to make his nightly rounds and I wake up until he jumps back on the bed.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,661 posts)they move around; sometimes they want you to wake up and play with or feed them. They are nocturnal animals so sleeping quietly all night isn't reliably their thing. I like having a cat or three sleep with me but they don't usually stay asleep. Once in awhile they get into fights on the bed and I awaken to hisses and snarls. I love them but they aren't always the most relaxing bed partners.
blur256
(979 posts)We also sleep with a dog and sometimes a cat. But wifey all the way.
sinkingfeeling
(51,444 posts)MountCleaners
(1,148 posts)I used to have a husky and a lab mix. I definitely prefer the dog to having a person, as far as sleeping soundly and feeling safe. When the dogs were around, I didn't have disturbing nightmares of people breaking in and grabbing me, didn't wake up in the middle of the night with night sweats, etc.
The lab mix would patrol the downstairs and if he saw or heard something, he'd let out the warmest, most comforting masculine "woofs". I loved his bark, it was deep and low and not strained. He was so calming.
The husky would climb on top of me if I did have anxiety. He always cuddled with me.
FirstLight
(13,359 posts)The Cat sleeps on my shoulder and the dog by my feet...the cuddles and warmth are the best!
Haven't slept next to a SO in years, and I don't think I want to have to re-learn someone elses's night habits, much less other living habits, eww... I like being alone.
surrealAmerican
(11,360 posts)The more the merrier, right?
... except for the cat - she makes me sneeze.
Polly Hennessey
(6,793 posts)Doreen
(11,686 posts)My big furry cat sleeps on the pillow on the side of the bed where a man would be and my little black and white cat either curls up into my lower ribs ( back sleeper ) or on either side of my feet.
When I had him my German Shepherd was warm on cold nights until my husband ( ex ) got home late at night from work.
I had a cat who used to sleep between my knees and I swear to god that cat grew roots through the bed and anchored them on the underside because it was near impossible to get him moved.
Yup, animals are better to sleep with. Besides if you are stressed or sick kitty snuggles an purrs are healing.
IrishEyes
(3,275 posts)I plan to get a man and/or a dog sometime. I'm sure my two cats will make some room for them They sleep with me every night.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)appalachiablue
(41,118 posts)Phentex
(16,334 posts)I'm considering getting a pull out couch so we can nap more comfortably since they are so huge.
I think the spouse/partner thing has more to do with snoring or moving around. My dogs can snore but when they crash, they don't move at all.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,661 posts)to sing the song of their people at 4:00 a.m. - is that when they do decide to sleep, they magically grow to the size of water buffalo and if they are on you or next to you, you can't move.