The Study and Findings

According to a study conducted by Canisius College in New York State, women sleep better next to dogs than men or cats. Dr. Christy Hoffman, the lead researcher, surveyed nearly a thousand women in the United States, revealing that 55% shared their bed with at least one dog, 31% with at least one cat, and 57% with a human partner.

Reasons Dogs Make Ideal Bed Companions

Hoffman discovered that dogs’ sleeping patterns more closely align with humans compared to cats. She suggested that dogs may be better at adapting to their owner’s sleep schedule, contributing to improved sleep quality. Dogs’ need for routine activities, like morning walks, helps owners maintain a consistent schedule, positively influencing sleep habits.

Stillness and Security

Women reported that dogs stayed on the bed most of the night, providing a sense of stillness. In contrast, cats tended to move on and off the bed, potentially disrupting sleep. Additionally, dogs offer a unique sense of security, as they may alert owners to intruders, creating a psychological comfort that cats or human partners may not provide.

Subjectivity and Future Research

While the study suggests that dogs are optimal sleeping partners, individual preferences vary. Factors like snoring or heat may influence the experience. The research is based on participants’ perceptions, and more objective studies are needed. Hoffman emphasized the importance of further research to understand the positive and negative impacts of co-sleeping with pets on sleep quality. Future studies could use devices like Fitbit to objectively measure sleep quality in different conditions.