For most people, sleeping with pets in beds is a just but a way of life. In the US, it is estimated that about 56% of people who own dogs and 62% of cat owners sleep with them in bed. This habit is not peculiar in the US alone. More than 50% rates of people sleeping with pets in bed have been reported in countries such as Holland, Japan, France and UK. There are benefits of sleeping with pets in bed. However, recent studies show that disadvantages override the benefits.
Pets in Bed: Benefits
Pets in Bed: BenefitsMost people especially children would sleep better with a pet in bed. For a child, a pet add a sense of security and comfort for better sleep. In fact, pets such as dogs and cat in a child’s bed have been associated with few cases of nightmares.
Dangers of Sleeping with Pets in Bed: Bedroom Zoonosis
Bubonic Plague
Bubonic plague is a disease that is transmitted by fleas. A study carried out among plague patients in 2008 showed that 44% of them slept with pets in bed. It is almost impossible to know if a dog has bubonic plague because they show no symptoms.
Chagas Disease
This is a disease that is cause by protozoan parasites. Traditionally, these protozoan parasites have been spread by blood sucking bugs. However, recent surveys show that people sleeping with pets in bed especially dogs are a higher risk of acquiring this fatal disease. This disease is not common is US.
Cat-Scratch Disease
As the words suggest, cat-scratch disease result from being scratched by a cat that is infected by disease carrying fleas. Cat-scratch disease can also be spread when you are licked by a cat. The risk of being scratched is increased by sleeping with pets in bed.
Multi-Drug Resistant Streptococcus (MDRS)
Streptococcus is a species of bacteria that infects humans especially when the skin is broken. MDRS is a variant of streptococcus that resist most common antibiotic and hence needs to be treated with special more expensive drugs. MDRS has been associated with people who sleep with their pets in bed.
The mouths and saliva of all animals including humans are not sterile. Dogs and cats harbor bacteria in their mouths that are safe to them but not in humans. Remember that cats and dogs are carnivorous and can therefore pick up harmful bacteria as they feed. As you sleep, the body loses consciousness increasing the possibility in getting infected with bacteria. It is even easy for a child to get infected with bacteria as they sleep with pets in bed.
Parasitic Infections
Apart from the risk of being infected with microorganism, pets in bed can infect you with parasites. Examples of these parasites include:
- Roundworms.
- Hookworms.
Most experts that the risk of getting infected with above described infections is low but the bottom in is that it can happen. Here are important tips about pets in bed that you need to know about:
- Ensure that you take your pets for regular vaccination.
- Take your pets for regular examinations.
- Ideally, children since they have a weaker immune system should not sleep with pets in bed.
- Be sure to wash any part of your body with soap and water when you are licked or scratched by a pet.
- You should discourage your pet from kissing; they will do it habitually even when you are asleep.