A purr-fect night's sleep

It’s no secret that sleep is vital for our physical and mental health. Most adults have four to five sleep cycles when we hit the pillow, ideally for seven to nine hours per day. But there are many factors that can prevent a good night’s sleep – from high temperatures to loud snoring. And of course: the pitter patter of pets.

Most of us are no strangers to having our sleep disturbed by our furry friends. 88% of cat owners and 85% of dog owners say they’ve been woken up at night by their pets. On average, this happens 2.61 times a week for cat owners, and 2.49 times a week for dog owners.

And of course, once you’re up, it’s not always easy to fall back to sleep. Pet owners told us they’re most likely (27%) to get back to sleep within 5-10 minutes. But spare a thought for the 6% of cat owners and 8% of dog owners who take an hour or more to drift off again.

Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, Physiologist and Sleep Expert shares: “Your sleep latency or the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep is a good measure of whether you are well rested and getting good quality sleep. For most healthy individuals, the time it takes to fall asleep is typically between 10 and 20 minutes.”

But while our pets have a habit of waking us up, most of us are still happy to keep our bedroom door open.

We all enjoy a good catnap, but it’s fair to say that pet owners have a wide range of co-sleeping habits.

• Dog owners are much more likely than cat owners (47% versus 37%) to sleep in the same bed as their pet ‘every night’.
• Pet owners aged 55 and over co-sleep with their pets ‘every night’ - more than any other age group (59%).
• Regionally, Scotland had the highest rate of pet owners (55%) who co-sleep with their pet every night. Meanwhile, Greater London had the highest percentage (29%) who co-sleep ‘less than once a week’.

Nick Jones, Behaviourist Expert at Petplan comments, “For many well-adjusted dogs, co-sleeping works well, but it’s worth being mindful of potential downsides, such as ‘over-bonding’. This can sometimes contribute to over-reliance or separation anxiety if your dog struggles when left alone. The key is striking a sensible balance that allows closeness while still encouraging independence.

“This is especially important for puppies, where crate training and building confidence away from you plays a vital role. Ultimately, the goal is a balanced relationship where both you and your dog are comfortable and independent when necessary."

While cats and dogs can be tricky bedtime companions, most of us aren’t losing sleep over it. We asked pet parents how much sleep they get when they’re curled up with a cat or dog; encouragingly, the most likely answer was within the recommended sleep amount: ‘seven hours a night’ (25% of respondents).

• Many pet owners are sleeping easy. Three-quarters of cat owners (75%) and 77% of dog owners said their co-sleeping arrangement is positive (“good” or “very good”).
• Younger millennials seem the most tolerant of their doggies on the duvet. 25-34-year-old pet owners were the most likely age group to report a positive co-sleeping experience (87%).
• And on the flipside, we miss our cats when they’re not around. 1 in 9 of cat owners – and 1 in 7 of dog owners – said they have a negative sleep experience when they’re NOT sharing a bed with their pet.

Nerina shares: “There is a common fixation on getting 8 hours of sleep a night, but in reality, it is less about quantity of sleep and more about quality. A good night’s sleep should leave you feeling refreshed, alert, and ready to start the day.

“People with healthy sleep patterns tend to find it easy to fall asleep and experience minimal nighttime awakenings.”

Life is busy at the best of times, so are there deeper reasons why we’re so pet-positive about co-sleeping?

Whether we’re having a busy time at work, studying, or managing our relationships, our pets can be massively beneficial for our mental wellbeing.

• Across the generations, respondents aged 16-24-years-old were the most likely age group (56%) to say they experience ‘comfort’ from co-sleeping with pets.
• Meanwhile, those aged 55+ were most likely to cite ‘positive mental health and reducing feelings of anxiety’ (46%) as a reason to co-sleep.
• The South West was the region where pet owners were most likely (50%) to say co-sleeping with their pet is beneficial to their mental health and in reducing anxiety.

Petplan veterinary expert Dr Brian Faulkner shares, “Although a cat's purr is not directly linked to a specific heart rate, its sound has a calming effect that can lower a human's heart rate and blood pressure. When a cat purrs, it can trigger the release of oxytocin – the feel good hormone - in humans, helping boost happiness and reduce stress. This, in turn, can lead to a decrease in cortisol (the stress hormone) and ultimately lower blood pressure and heart rate.

“Co-sleeping with your cat can be comforting for them, offering warmth and a sense of security while strengthening your bond. But as naturally active night-time animals, it’s important they also have their own safe spaces – and so they don’t disturb your own sleep.”

So, while it may be tempting to close the bedroom door, the key is ensuring your pet feels secure and content – whether that’s snuggled up beside you or in a cosy, separate space of their own.

Nick Jones adds, “Co-sleeping with your pet can certainly bring benefits – from strengthening trust and emotional bonds to providing a sense of comfort for both owner and dog. That said, every dog is different, and it's not essential for them to share your bed in order to feel secure.”

Of course, there are many things that can keep us awake at night – from soaring temperatures to THAT never-ending party next door. But our beloved pets are far from the worst offenders.

• Pet owners say they’re more likely to be woken by their partner’s snoring (24%) than their pet’s snoring (16%). People in Scotland were the most likely (30%) to say their partner’s snoring disturbed them in the night.
• Dog owners are more likely than cat owners – 22% versus 13% – to be disturbed by their pet needing to relieve themselves.
• London pet owners are the deepest sleepers – 8% answered ‘nothing disturbs me’.

Dr Nerina shares, “Nighttime disruption can be an issue so it’s a good idea to walk the dog in the evening to minimise this factor. If the pet owner tends to overheat at night, again I suggest keeping pet in a separate bed or basket rather than having them in the bed.”

When we feel well, our can pets pick up on the relaxed atmosphere around the home. By getting pet insurance with Petplan, we can relax in the knowledge that our cats or dogs will have the best care – whatever the future may bring.