Millions Let Their Dog Sleep in Their Bed — But the Habit Could Be Harming Their Health

UK dog owners are a nation of pet lovers, with almost two thirds admitting they let their dog sleep in bed with them. But this common habit could be having an unexpected impact on their pet’s gut health.
According to a survey of 2,000 UK dog owners, 64% let their dog sleep in their bed, highlighting just how close the bond is between the UK’s dogs and their owners. But while many see it as a sign of love and comfort, experts say the habit may come with an unexpected downside.
Research from Pooch & Mutt, based on gut health findings from more than 2,600 dogs, suggests that dogs who sleep in their own bed tend to show better gut health indicators than those that regularly sleep in their owner’s bed.
Dr Bushra Schuitemaker, Head of Microbiology at Pooch & Mutt, comments: “Co-sleeping with dogs is increasingly common and often comes from a place of affection, but our testing indicates it may be linked with broader routines that affect gut health. Dogs with their own sleeping space tended to show better overall gut health indicators.”
“That doesn’t mean sleeping in the owner’s bed is harmful on its own, but it does show how everyday lifestyle habits can influence the gut. Gut health is shaped by a range of factors, including routine, stress, diet, exercise and environment, and sleeping environments may form part of that wider picture.”
A dog’s gut microbiome is the ecosystem of bacteria living in the digestive tract, and it plays a major role in overall wellbeing. A rich and balanced microbiome can support digestion, skin and coat condition, and behaviour and brain function, while an imbalance can contribute to a wide range of common issues.
Bushra adds: “In many dogs, the signs can show up in ways owners wouldn’t automatically connect to the gut such as skin itching and allergies (16.8% of dogs), anxiety (11.6%), and various digestive issues such as inconsistencies in stool firmness, shape, or frequency (11.6%) and even things like excessive grass eating (6.6%).
“That’s why it’s so important for owners to think about gut health as part of their dog’s overall wellbeing, rather than just something to consider when there’s an upset stomach. Good lifestyle habits, nutrition, regular exercise and paying attention to early warning signs are all things dog owners can do proactively to help.”
The data also shows that millennials (those aged between 30-45) are the most likely demographic to share their bed with their dog (55.6% of those who said yes).