Why women sleep better with pets than their partners

Melbourne women get a better night’s sleep with their furry friends than they do with their partners, and TV’s Bondi Vet explains why. Do you agree? VOTE, HAVE YOUR SAY

Dr Kate Adams with her golden retriever, Ben. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Exclusive: It’s the news that will make animal lovers swoon.

Sleeping with your pets is officially good for your physical and mental health, and research has found women actually get a better night’s sleep with their furry friend than they do with their partners.

Dr Kate Adams, from Nine show Bondi Vet, told News Corp sleeping in the same bed as their animals makes owners — particularly women — less anxious and stressed.

Dr Kate Adams says dogs are less likely to disrupt a woman’s sleep than a partner. Picture: Justin Lloyd

The US study, Dr Adams says, shows that for women, having their animals by their side at night makes them feel more safe and secure from potential intruders, leading to a better night’s sleep.

Dogs are also less likely to disrupt a woman’s sleep than a partner and pet owners tend to have a more consistent sleep routine and go to bed earlier, the research revealed.

“A lot of it is down to security and feeling like you can rely more on your dog than a human partner, Dr Adams says.

“As a result, women get a better night’s sleep when they have their pet in their bedroom.”

Dr. Kate Adams with her cat at home. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The research, conducted by Christy Hoffman of the Department of Animal Behaviour, Ecology, and Conservation in New York, found that a pet owner’s body clock synchronises with their animals over time, leading to a better night’s sleep.

They surveyed 962 adult women in the United States and found that 55 per cent of participants shared their beds with at least one dog and 31 per cent shared their beds with at least one cat. In addition, 57 per cent of respondents shared their beds with a human partner.

The study also found bed-sleeping cats are just as disruptive as human partners, and were associated with weaker feelings of comfort and security than both dog and human partners.

The trend of co-sleeping with pets also demonstrates the important role many animals play in households.

Speaking to News Corp off the back of the DVD release for The Secret Life of Pets 2, Dr Adams said activities such as watching TV with their animals by their side strengthens the familial bond.

Pet ownership helps children regulate their feelings.

There are also therapeutic benefits for children, with many finding comfort in having a best friend to snuggle up with at night.

She also said some pet owners express concern about allergies and prefer not to sleep in bed with their pets.

“From a vet’s perspective, as long as the pet is up to date with their preventatives and vet checks, there should be no cause for concern,” she said.

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Dr Adams suggests animals have their own separate blanket to sleep on if owners feel concerned.

She says the movie The Secret Life of Pets 2 can help owners better understand their pets and some of the issues they may be having such as sleeping problems or separation anxiety.

Candace Feild with her golden retriever Sammy.

Melbourne animal lover Candace Feild said snuggling up to her pets makes her feels secure at night.

The business development manager, from Hadfield, owns three animals — golden retriever Sammy, rescue greyhound Cyril and rescue cat Keith From Accounts.

Bedtime is a busy affair with all three animals piling into bed.

The 51-year-old heads to bed earlier than her partner, who stays up late at night doing work for his business that specialises in pet portraits.

“Nothing beats a bear hug from a golden retriever — it’s like hugging a big teddy bear,” she said.

Dr Kate’s five best breeds for co-sleeping

1. Terriers - Jack Russell or border terrier are my pick.

They are quite compact so wouldn’t take up the whole bed but they are fiesty and nothing much gets past them so I feel like they’d be good security at night!

2. Golden retriever or Labrador

OK so they are big and furry but they are like big teddy bears and nice to hug! They too are good at keeping you feeling secure and safe at home! I sleep with one every night!

3. The “oodles” - Groodle or cavoodle

Often don’t shed, very cute and cuddly and often quite compact

4. Rottweiler

So potentially they would take up the whole bed which is less than ideal, but nobody would dare enter the house. These guys would be like the ultimate bodyguards to sleep next to!

5. Hungarian Vizsla

Not too big and will bark pretty loudly if you need them to. Short coats. I just really like them!

The Secret Life of Pets 2 is out now on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and digital

Originally published as Why women sleep better with pets than their partners