Experts Have Issued A Warning For People Whose Pets Sleep In Their Beds

Most people think there's nothing better than snuggling up in their beds with their enormous Great Danes or Miniature Schnauzers. These loved-up pet owners even believe their furry friends help them sleep soundly through the night... But – according to a new study – they're wrong! So, if you can't imagine sleeping without your four-legged angel, you may want to start setting a few boundaries. While being close to your fur baby is pleasant, recent medical findings show that your health could be taking a major hit.

Sleep Quality

The study – published by the journal Animals – delved into a variety of sleep data from a dozen women who sleep with their dogs. And while most participants said their canines helped them snooze, the actual evidence suggested otherwise. One of the issues was that sleeping with a dog in the bed will increase human movement – and so disrupt natural sleep patterns. But that's not all.

Snores and Slobbers

Some dogs – we're looking at you, St. Bernards! – will also snore, slobber, and heat up in their sleep. This all has an effect on their human co-sleepers, too. So that's why you could sometimes feel groggy and tired in the morning – even if you think you've gotten a full eight hours. And you're particularly at risk if you have allergies.

Allergies Anyone?

Do you get the sniffles after mowing the lawn? Or perhaps excess dust leaves you feeling itchy and sneezy? Well, your dog has been running through and rolling around in all of that stuff – and more! Inviting your triggers into bed with you definitely isn't the best idea. And we have a little more bad news...

Hypoallergenic or Not

"[Pollen] stick[s] in his fur or on his paws, follow[s] him to your bed, and cause[s] your allergies to go haywire. Stuffy noses and sneezing do not make for a good night's sleep," said PetGuide editor Amy Tokic. Of course, there are hypoallergenic dogs – such as Maltese, Schnauzers, and poodles. But do you want a pollen-coated pooch, no matter what breed, in your room at all? And even if your pet looks clean, there may still be something lurking in their fur that'll ruin your sleep...