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New study: Dogs don't disrupt human sleep, humans disturb dogs
8 Oct
Summary
- Humans, not dogs, disturb each other's sleep, study reveals.
- Sharing beds with dogs does not impact sleep duration or quality.
- Dogs may improve sleep by enforcing consistent bedtime schedules.
A recent University of Toronto study challenges the notion that dogs disrupt human sleep. Activity trackers monitoring 25 volunteers and their 38 dogs over four weeks revealed that humans, not their canine companions, were more prone to disturbing each other's sleep. This finding suggests a deeper evolutionary connection between humans and dogs, with a co-author noting its implications for understanding this bond.
The research indicated that whether dogs slept directly in the bed or in a nearby area, it made no significant difference to human sleep duration or quality. While some participants subjectively reported disrupted sleep, especially with multiple dogs, objective data from the trackers did not support this.
Sleep medicine experts suggest dogs can be beneficial for human sleep by acting as 'zeitgebers.' Their need for consistent routines around feeding and walking can help individuals establish more regular sleep habits, which is crucial for overall sleep health. However, factors like a dog's size or snoring could still pose challenges for some sleep arrangements.
