University of Toronto study finds sleeping with dogs does not disrupt human sleep

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto has found that sharing a bed with a dog does not negatively impact the actual duration or efficiency of human sleep. Using actigraphy devices to track the nighttime activity of 25 humans and 38 dogs over four weeks, the research revealed a discrepancy between objective data and subjective perception.

While some owners reported feeling that their dogs disrupted their rest, the objective measurements showed no significant decline in sleep quality for humans. Interestingly, the study noted that humans are often more likely to disturb their dogs through movement than vice versa. While owners of multiple dogs reported a subjective sense of poorer sleep, the tracking devices did not record a corresponding physiological impact.

Researchers also highlighted potential psychological benefits, noting that many participants reported feeling a greater sense of security and calm when sleeping alongside their pets. The findings, published in PLOS One, suggest a reciprocal relationship where both species influence each other's nighttime activity without necessarily compromising rest.