{"id":187,"date":"2021-11-25T22:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-25T22:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fortworthsnoringandsleepcenter.com\/blog\/?p=187"},"modified":"2021-12-20T22:09:01","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T22:09:01","slug":"pets-and-sleep-apnea-pros-and-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fortworthsnoringandsleepcenter.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/25\/pets-and-sleep-apnea-pros-and-cons\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pros and Cons of Sleeping with Your Pet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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More than one-third of the homes in the U.S<\/a>. have a dog, while about one-fourth have a cat, according to a survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Indeed, our culture places a high value on our furry friends. Some people even spoil their pets by allowing them into their bedroom \u2014 many even share a bed with their dog or cat. If that\u2019s true of you, you might wonder how this arrangement is affecting the quality of your sleep. Do pets and sleep apnea<\/a> have a positive or negative relationship? Let\u2019s talk about these important topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Possible Advantages of Sleeping with a Pet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A study by the Mayo Clinic<\/a> set out to learn how dogs affect sleep. The human participants all had good health and were free of sleep disorders. The people slept best when they shared a bed with a human partner. However, they also had a medium-sized dog in the room, but the dog was not allowed on the bed with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other research has uncovered that many people experience feelings of security and warmth when they sleep with a pet. Such feelings may, in turn, promote better rest. This might be especially true for young children and adults who do not share a bed with a human partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disadvantages of Sleeping with a Pet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The previously mentioned study from the Mayo Clinic found that having a dog on the bed can interfere with sleep efficiency (a ratio that compares time spent in bed with time asleep). However, the effect was not severe for most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have sleep apnea, there might be additional disadvantages to sleeping with your furry friend. Obstructive sleep apnea is closely related to the structure of your airway. If you have any allergies to pet dander, having your cat or dog in your bedroom at night could cause nasal congestion, mouth breathing, and irritation in your respiratory tract. As a result, your sleep apnea symptoms may worsen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimizing Your Pet\u2019s Impact on Your Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you sleep with your pet is a personal choice \u2014 but it would be wise to take a few steps to minimize the impact they have on the quality of your rest. Here are a few tips to help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n