bedmates

Pet Bedmates

By Gina Spadafori
Pet Columnist
www.veterinarypartner.com

Every now and then we hear from someone who wants us to write about how awful it is to have dogs or cats on the bed.

Maybe it's a grandmother who wants us to convince a son or daughter that having a pet on the bed is unhealthy for children, or new sweethearts who want us to solve an argument about where a pet should sleep.

If you're thinking we're going to suggest that all pets be forbidden a spot on the bed, you're barking up the wrong tree. In our homes, as in so many others, our pets share the bed. They're like heating pads that you don't have to plug in or recharge -- and they'll readjust automatically every time you move. Pets will also never steal the covers or complain that the sounds of late-night TV are keeping them from their rest.

That said, there are good reasons to keep your pets off the bed and maybe even out of the bedroom. Among them are behavioral problems (theirs), as well as insomnia and allergies (yours).

For dogs who are ill-mannered or prone to aggression, allowing access to the bed isn't recommended. It gives the animal the idea that he or she has a status that's equal to or better than the human family members. For these dogs, sleeping elsewhere (such as in a crate in the bedroom) will likely be a part of a retraining program to modify the animal's exalted opinion of his own value. (It's important to work with a veterinary behaviorist or trainer with experience in aggression to modify the behavior of dominant pets, so don't just revoke such an animal's bed privileges.)

For people with allergies, turning the bedroom into a pet-free zone is common medical advice that ought to be followed. Maintaining a pet-free bedroom is part of an overall strategy to minimize the impact of pet dander. For those with allergies, keeping pets out of the bedroom gives them enough "breathing room" to make it possible to keep both their pets and their overall good health.

More recently, letting pets sleep in the bed has been suggested as one of many reasons why people have problems getting a good night's sleep. If you have insomnia, you might also consider getting your pet his own comfy bed and keeping yours for yourself.

And what about those couples who don't have pet-behavior problems, insomnia or allergies, but still argue over letting their pets on the bed? That's the sort of thing you have to work out on your own, since we have enough work giving pet advice without venturing into relationship counseling.

Chances are, though, you'll be able to find a bed big enough for everyone to be happy in, if both sides will compromise on the issue.

Accessories for the bed-sharing pet
In many homes, the "pets on the bed" debate is long over -- and the pets won. Proof can be found in the marketplace, where accessories abound to help pets get onto the bed -- and keep the bedding cleaner.

I've always kept an eye out for sales on relatively inexpensive, washable cotton quilts to throw over the top of the bedding. I also use rubber-backed fuzzy bath mats on top of the quilts when older pets get leaky. The catalog retailer Orvis took this idea one step further, with its waterproof Three Dog Night comforters. (Downside: They need to be dry-cleaned.)

Speaking of steps, any number of manufacturers makes pet-sized sets to help aging or small animals get onto the bed or couch. Pet retailers have a wide selection to match your budget and decor.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of Dogs for Dummies, Cats for Dummies and Birds for Dummies. She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her at petconnection@gmail.com.

This work was originally published by Veterinary Information
Network, Inc. (VIN) and is republished with VIN's permission.

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.