Studies Reveal Women Sleep Better Next to Dogs Than Partners

It’s a no-brainer that sleep is crucial for overall health, which is why researchers constantly explore the best ways to achieve quality rest. While chamomile tea and meditation before bed are commonly recommended, a new study suggests something unexpected: women sleep better next to dogs. That’s right—research from Canisius College in New York State revealed that dogs make better sleep partners than humans or cats.

Dr. Christy Hoffman, an animal behaviorist and lead researcher of the study, explained, “We found that women commonly rate dogs as better bed partners than cats and human partners and report that their dogs enhance their sleep quality.”

The study surveyed nearly 1,000 women across the United States, with 55% sharing their bed with at least one dog, 31% with at least one cat, and 57% with a human partner. The findings suggested that dogs generally create more favorable sleeping conditions for women than other types of bed companions.

Why Dogs Make the Best Sleep Buddies

Hoffman’s research found that dogs’ sleeping patterns are more similar to humans’ than cats’, which contributes to better quality sleep. “The difference between dogs and cats is not surprising because dogs’ major sleep periods tend to coincide more closely with humans’ than do cats,” Hoffman noted.

While further research is needed to confirm these findings, Hoffman has some hypotheses as to why dogs make such great sleeping partners. She suggests that dogs are better at adapting to their owners’ sleep schedules than human partners, who often go to bed and wake up at different times, potentially disrupting sleep. “It may be that dog bed partners adapt more readily to their owner’s schedule than do human bed partners,” she said.

Additionally, dogs require a structured routine, such as a morning walk, which helps their owners stick to a more consistent sleep schedule. This routine could be key in improving sleep quality for pet owners.

Stillness and Security: The Key to Better Sleep

Another advantage dogs have over humans and cats is their stillness during the night. Many women in the study reported that their dogs remained on the bed for most of the night, unlike cats, who tend to come and go. “Cats may be more likely than dogs to create disruptions by moving on and off the bed during the night,” Hoffman explained.

In addition to stillness, dogs provide a sense of security. Unlike cats or human partners, dogs offer psychological comfort, knowing they could alert their owners in case of an emergency. “Some dog owners may take comfort in the thought that their dog will alert them in the case of an intruder or other type of emergency,” Hoffman said.

A Subjective yet Valuable Finding

While the study suggests that dogs are ideal sleep companions, the benefits depend on individual circumstances. Some dogs may snore or make the bed too warm, which could disrupt sleep for their owners. It’s also important to note that many cat owners find their pets help them sleep as well.

The research was based on participants’ perceptions of their pets’ impact on sleep quality, so more objective studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions. However, Hoffman believes the research is valuable, given that many American households have pets. “It will be valuable to continue this line of research so we can develop a clearer picture of the contexts under which pets and their presence in their owner’s bed may positively impact sleep quality, and the contexts under which co-sleeping with a pet may be detrimental to one’s sleep quality,” she said.

Future studies might use wearable devices, like Fitbits, to objectively track the sleep quality of people sleeping with pets versus without them, providing more concrete evidence for the role pets play in sleep quality.