More pets are sleeping in bed with their owners
By Gary Bogue
Thursday, February 8th, 2007 at 8:51 am in Pets.
If you find yourself cuddling up with your furry friends each night when you go to bed, you’re not alone.
In a recent survey of policyholders and visitors to their Web site by Veterinary Pet Insurance, 56 percent of those who responded said their pet sleeps right next to them each night.
Of the nearly 8,000 respondents, 21 percent said their pet sleeps in a pet bed, 18 percent claimed their pet sleeps at the foot of the bed, 5 percent of pets sleep on the couch, and 1 percent said their pet sleeps outside.
“Our pets have made a definitive move from the barnyard, to the backyard, to the bedroom,” said Dr. Carol McConnell, director of veterinary services for VPI. “With the human-animal bond stronger than ever, more pet owners are taking care of their pets like they would a family member. Our pets are spending more time indoors with the entire family, and now they share the comforts of a soft mattress with the family, too.”
This inspires me to have my own quickie little survey. Just click on “Comments” at the end of this post and answer these quick questions:
** Does your pet (cat, dog, bird, fish, other?) have its own room in your home?
** Does your pet (cat, dog, bird, fish, other?) have it’s own place at the table for daily meals?
** Does your pet (cat, dog, bird, fish, other?) help to prepare meals?
** Does your pet (cat, dog, bird, fish, other?) have a job and contribute to paying household expenses?
** Is your pet (cat, dog, bird, fish, other?) answering this survey?
Come on, now, be honest.
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February 8th, 2007 at 10:28 am
One of our dogs sleeps with us and the other has his own bedroom. Is that a problem??
February 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am
My Male cat of 8 months old is tipping over his water dish.
Any insight?
February 8th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Jazz: Not a problem as far as I’m concerned.
Mike: Young cats think playing in water is fun. Some old cats do, too. Get a water dish that doesn’t tip.
February 8th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
My ANGEL has her own bed in our room, but sleeps w/us whenever she wants.
She also has a bed in the living room and we share a space in front of the fireplace (when it’s lit).
My son just moved back with his PITT/JAWS. He has a bed in my son’s room but also sleeps on his bed and also on ours along w/Angel (very crowded but nice and cozy).
They both have their own eating area and LOTS of treats! (and they know how to show you where they are when they want a treat)
Couldn’t ask to have such great/spoiled dogs that give you unconditional love all the time.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
One of the best books on dogs is from the Monks of New Skete, who say dogs like to sleep with the leaders of the pack — it in fact confirms their hierarchy in the pack. They are calmer and less neurotic when they have this sense of well-being. Having the dog sleep on his bed next to our bed turned a destructive animal into a happy one.
February 8th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
One of the best books on dogs is from the Monks of New Skete, who say dogs like to sleep with the leaders of the pack — it in fact confirms their hierarchy in the pack. They are calmer and less neurotic when they have this sense of well-being. Having the dog sleep on his bed next to our bed turned a destructive animal into a happy one.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
My dog and cat have their own room where I keep all their toys, bed, cat scratcher, cat box etc. This is their play room, and yes, they do play together. Ever seen a pit bull and cat play together? It is hilarious! My dog sleeps with me every night but my cat has to sleep in her room because she is still a kitten and keeps me up if I don’t put her in her room.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Survey Says,
My Fiance sleeps with her little Pomeranian in bed with us. It doesn’t bother me too much except that since it is getting old it is starting to snore like a #300 man. The dog needs to start sleeping in another room. Hopefully before I have to sleep in the other room.
February 8th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
My dog has his own room with a view of the neighborhood (likes to see what’s going on). He has his own bed and his toys are there in a toy basket. He almost always ends up in bed with me. He has his own “blankey” in almost every room and has a “baby” that he sleeps with and sometimes carries around with him. Oh,I cover him every nite on my way to bed and he always has a sigh of
contentment. AWWWWWW
February 8th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Ah yes, my dog & cats have their own room with a king size bed in it! Fortunately, they share well & I’m allowed a to sleep in my own corner of it every night!! On real cold nights they even share the covers!!
Pat in Antioch
February 9th, 2007 at 12:43 am
Gary:
My two dogs both sleep with me, sometimes at the same time and other times one at a time throughout the night. No, they don’t have their own rooms but the entire house is theirs to roam. And they both also love the couch.
They don’t have a place at the table but if I eat at the table (I’m single) they are on either side of me.
Yes, they help prepare meals, hoping I will give them a taste as I’m doing so.
No, they don’t have a job that helps paying the bills.
No, it’s me answering this survey.
Take care.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:49 am
my cats do have their own rooms but they share them with peoples. if you were to ask either of the cats though they will tell you its their room.
the dining table is the cats we dont use it. come meal time though they do have their spots right with us.
one of our cats likes to help out with the cooking if there are pieces of raw potato or fresh green beans to be had.
the spiders n scorpions help with the bills from time to time but the cats wont lift a paw to help.
no its me and not a pet answering this… or am i my cats pet???
February 13th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Our parrot Sinbad eats dinner with my family,he has his own spot at the table and is (for a bird)pretty clean. P.S he loves mashed potatoe’s & gravy.
February 20th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Our cat has her own room because one of the dogs is neurotic about the cat roaming the house at night, and won’t sleep if the cat wanders. The cat also knocks down the dog gate that keeps them upstairs, and her food gets eaten by the dogs, so it’s mutual protection.
The dogs, well one is still able to get up on the bed and she sometimes does so in the morning after her breakfast. As she’s the alpha, the others are not allowed up on the bed in any case.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
My 5 month old chichuaha sleeps in my bed. During housebreaking she had her crate but once she was broken I allowed her sleep in my bed. She still uses her crate to sleep when she’s alone but at night when I go to bed she comes right along