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Up close and personal

James Ramsden
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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More than 400 pet owners took part in our on-line survey. Commenting on everything from the cat’s top spot in the house to Fido’s favourite foods, here’s what you said.

 Up close and personal

  • 76% sleep with their pets
  • 43 % said sleeping with their pet works for them
  • 1 in 3 share the couch with their pets
  • 29% said that nowhere is out of bounds for their pet

About 40 years ago, pets were kept outdoors and anyone who slept with their dog was thought of as crazy. Ah, how times have changed. Over the years we have seen a huge shift in the human and pet relationship. Today, pet pampering services, pet walkers and doggy daycare centres are thriving small businesses. It’s clear pets and pet care have become a huge part of our lives.

Over past decades we’ve spent a lot more time on the couch too – as have our pets. We crave their company, letting them walk on the furniture and sleep in our beds.

What the vet says:
“Letting your pet sleep on the bed or the couch is fine as long as good manners prevail,” says our resident vet James Ramsden. “It’s important to make sure your pet is not aggressive or possessive when it comes to sitting on furniture and that your pet will move if asked. Speak to your veterinarian if you are having behaviour problems.

“There’s nothing better than curling up with your cat or watching a movie with your dog – it’s what friends are for, but it is important for your family that your pet remains healthy. This means regular worming and flea control with vet approved products.

“Keeping your pet well groomed is also important but it is easy to go overboard. Limit bathing to every 2-3 weeks and always use a pet approved shampoo to prevent skin irritation. Avoid the eyes and ears when bathing. “A highly digestible diet such as that provided by premium quality food will provide your pet with all the necessary nutrients to maintain good health. You may not realise it but other benefits include a great, shiny coat and a reduction in those dreaded smells from wind or anal glands.”

What you said:
“At night I get annoyed if my husband comes to bed before Maffy and I have had cuddles on the big bed.”

“I have two large dogs and a cat and they all sleep with me on my bed.”

“My cat gets to sleep under the covers with his head on the pillow with me.”

View more results from our Pet Survey

Pet health care
Pets as family
Best friend in a crisis
The guilt factor

Your say: Do you let your pets sleep in your bed? Tell us below.



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User comments
Our dogs will get up on the bed for a cuddle before bed every night without fail then when its time to go to sleep they get down on their bed wich is a big thick gog bed covered in blankets in summer they are kept cool with the air con and in winter kept warm with heating there have been quite a few times in their puppy years where we would wake up and one or the other is on or under our blankets when they are cold so I get up and put them back to bed with blankets on them as they are both to big now to sleep with us they need a queen bed just to themselves we take them to the dog beach all year round for a play with other dogs and we just make sure that in summer we go early before its hot they are the most loved boys in the world
My mum's cat sleeps on my bed nearly every night, usually on the throw, but when it gets really cold she'll bat at my head until I lift the blankets for her to curl up next to me. Its great! Like a personal heater. Mine and my sister dogs, sleep in my mums bed, unless the cat jumps in there, my mum's cat is the boss. They usually sleep on top, but again if its cold they dig there way under, on rare occasion my dog will sleep on my bed, and if my mum is up first in the morning (about 6am) she'll crawl under my blankets (but only if the cat is already up). My cat however, refuses to sleep on the beds, she'll sleep in dad's computer chair, on the back of the couch, or dad's recliner. I couldn't even contemplate putting my pets outside, they go where we go, whether its a walk down the road to see the neighbors, camping, the beach, or watching TV. My rabbits do live in their double storey mansion in the backyard though, well at least night. During the day they have full run of the backyard.
Yes And it is my fav place to be I have a little Italian greyhound and 3 cats and they all have there cuddles and there spots that they sleep every night. And I wouldn't change a thing
My 1 yr old Bichon knows his order in the family (Me, partner, him!). He sleeps on the bed, head on the pillow sometimes, but also sleeps under the bed. He gets off the furniture when we tell him to (usually). But all he wants is to be snuggled up with us, no matter what we are doing. He's the perfect lapdog who knows who's in charge (most of the time) and usually obeys. I'm with LC, I wouldn't have him any other way. He's the most loved dog in all of Newcastle!
I have to toy Poms.Unfortunatly they don't sleep on my bed as one is 19years old the other is 14. But they are certainly pampered. The fire goes all night for them when it is cold and the air con when it is above 30. They are the bee all and end all of my life. My grankids live 2.000 k's away so mini and tubbie are it for me. I figure I wouldn't make my grand mother sleep outside or let her get cold or heat stroke. I look at my 19 year old and the age of 120 in human years comes to mind. She is still active and runs like a 7 year old. Some even think they are just puppies. But alas, they are old ladies now. They had a great life in their younger years prancing around in show rings. Now it,s their time to kick back and enjoy their retirement years.My girls have a bed filled with sheep skin that two great danes could fit on. They are spoilt but who cares. Their worth it. I aplaud all who love, spoil and pamper their pets. Most looked after pets give you more than alot of humans.
Who could refuse the big brown eyes of a Dog.....My big handsome boy (Dog who is 13) sleeps with me every night. He makes my heart smile, is my most faithful best friend.
My cat is strickly indoors. She's groomed everyday and has run of the house, including the bed. We share cuddles of a night and she wakes me in the morning. I wouldn't have it any other way.

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