University of Toronto study examines human and dog sleep patterns

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto, published in the journal PLOS One, has examined the impact of sharing a bed with dogs on sleep quality. The research involved monitoring 25 humans and 38 dogs, primarily Huskies and Malamutes, using wearable activity trackers over a four-week period.

Contrary to common belief, the data suggests that humans are more likely to disturb their dogs than vice versa. The analysis revealed that humans triggered nighttime movements in approximately 45 percent of cases, while dogs were responsible for movements in only 18 percent of instances.

While many pet owners subjectively reported that their sleep quality suffered when sharing a bed with animals, objective measurements from the trackers showed that total sleep duration and quality remained constant regardless of whether the dogs slept in the bed. Additionally, the study noted that dogs can act as biological anchors or ‘zeitgebers,’ potentially helping to promote consistent sleep rituals.