YOUR BED OR MINE?

Doctors and sleep pros tackle the thorny question of where Pepper should sleep.

- SHELBY DEERING

IF YOU'RE AN animal lover, you likely haven't thought twice about having your pet sleep in your bed with you-and apparently you're in good company. Almost half the dog owners in the United States sleep alongside their pets, according to a recent study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and that same number of slumberers say they sleep better with their furry friends. But with an increasing focus on our sleep health (after all, one in three adults reports not getting enough rest), people are taking another look at the disadvantages of allowing their pets to share their beds. In fact, it's currently a subject of "soft controversy" among pet owners. Should you snooze with your pet in your bed night after night, or should you create a designated-and separate-place where your pet can rest? We asked three experts to share the pros and cons.

The Pros

REASSURING If someone were to ask you why you allow your dog to sleep in your bed every night and you answered, "For improved mental health, comfort, and companionship," you would be justified. A beloved pet can provide emotional connection and reduce stress and anxiety levels, thereby promoting sleep, says Audrey Wells, MD, a sleep medicine physician and founder of Super Sleep MD, a platform that helps people with sleep apnea. "Some people may consider their pet an added layer of security, dependable to alert them to unexpected noises or lights," she adds.

WARM AND FUZZY Do you tend to be cold? Then you might enjoy the warmth of a pet sleeping at your side. This is why frigid winter nights are often referred to as "three-dog nights," according to Terry Cralle, a registered nurse and certified clinical sleep educator in Washington, D.C.