Adapted from "Sleep with your pet? How that may affect you (and your pet)" from CNN health here

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Is it good for you to sleep with your pet? Is it good for your pet? According to Dr. Dana Varble, Chief Veterinary Officer for the North American Veterinary Community, pets who sleep with their humans tend to have a "higher trust level and a tighter bond with the humans that are in their lives."

Pros and Cons for Humans

Experts have traditionally discouraged sleeping with pets, as it can disrupt sleep. However, recent studies have shown that pets in the bedroom could be beneficial for some people, particularly those with depression or anxiety. Pets who are more closely bonded with their humans can also increase the production of beneficial neurotransmitters such as oxytocin and dopamine.

A Setup for Success

Successfully co-sleeping with pets has a lot to do with how deeply both you and your pet sleep. Clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Michael Breus recommends giving it a try for only a couple of nights before deciding if it's good for you.

Some of Us Should Abstain

People with insomnia, delayed sleep phase, or sleep apnea may suffer from sleep fragmentation if they sleep with their pets. Pets can also snore and disrupt sleep, which can be especially harmful for people with asthma, allergies, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Breathing Issues

If you are one of many who suffer from asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleeping with your pet may not be the best idea. Allergens are present in pets' saliva and skin, which can expose people with asthma or allergies to allergens for up to eight hours at night and make it more difficult to get good sleep.

Some Pets Should Not Join the Family Bed

Young puppies or dogs that are working through behavior issues may not be good candidates for co-sleeping. Exotic pets with specific health and safety requirements, such as needing to be in an enclosure, should also not be allowed to sleep in the bed with their humans.