Is it Okay For My Chihuahua to Sleep With Me?
Are you wondering if it is okay for your Chihuahua to sleep with you? Well, today we will go over the good and the bad as well as some tips for sleeping with your Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas are very loving dogs and they tend to become attached to their humans. It only makes sense that they will want to sleep with you. Whether that’s a good idea is what we will be going over today.
In this article you will find pros and cons as well as some tips and frequently asked questions on the subject of sleeping with your Chihuahua.
Is it okay for my Chihuahua to sleep with me?
If you have read some of my other articles on Chihuahuas then you already know that they love their humans. They also have a tendency to have separation anxiety and you know the importance of training your Chihuahua.
There are many things to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to sleep with your Chihuahua. Here are a few of the most important things to consider.
The Pros and Cons of Sleeping with Your Chihuahua
As with anything in life, there are pros and cons to sleeping with your Chihuahua. Here is a quick list of them.
The pros:
- They are warm and they can help keep you warm at night.
- Dogs help humans relax. Petting dogs reduces blood pressure.
- They can give you a feeling of safety.
- Sleeping with them builds a strong bond.
Have you ever heard of a three-dog night? That was when it was really cold outside and people let their dogs sleep with them. So if you live in a colder climate sleeping with your dog can really help keep you warm.
It’s a known fact that dogs help humans relax, that’s why they make such great therapy dogs. So it just makes sense that sleeping with your dog will help you relax and sleep better.
Many people use dogs as a safety measure for their homes. By keeping your dog in a crate they really can’t do anything should an intruder break into your home. Sleeping with you allows the dog to be free to help with that security.
Sleeping with your dog, especially as a puppy can help build a strong bond between you two. When your dog is a puppy and everything is so big and new and scary, sleeping with you can help them feel more secure.
The Cons:
- It can increase separation anxiety.
- Decreased quality of sleep for both of you.
- Your Chihuahua could be injured.
- They can have an accident in your bed.
- Passing along illness to each other.
- Less romance with your sleeping partner.
When you sleep with your Chihuahua it can increase the bond between you two but if your dog suffers from separation anxiety it can increase the symptoms. This can create an unhappy dog and in the end an unhappy human.
If you find yourself waking up multiple times a night to get comfortable around a dog, then maybe co-sleeping with your dog isn’t right for you. If your quality of sleep is decreased and you’re frequently awakened, then it’s likely your dog’s sleep is disrupted too.
Chihuahuas are little dogs and they have very small legs. You could easily roll over and break your dog’s leg, completely unintentionally.
Dogs can contract illness from humans and humans can contract them from dogs, despite what old wives’ tales say. And dogs cannot cover their sneezes so if they are sick it makes it very likely that you will become sick as well.
Dogs can also carry parasites such as fleas and ticks. These can be passed to humans while they sleep.
Last but not least, sleeping with your dog will likely decrease the time spent cuddling with your bed partner. Instead that cuddling will likely happen with the dog. Some humans don’t take too well to this.
Tips for Sleeping with Your Chihuahua
It’s very important to house train your dog so they don’t have accidents in your bed. Proper training will ensure that they do their business outside where it belongs.
Make sure you always take your dog out to relieve himself prior to going to sleep.
Make sure you and your dog are on the same sleep schedule. The last thing you want is to go to bed and the dog thinks it’s playtime.
FAQ’s on Is it okay to sleep with my ChihUAhUA?
Why does my Chihuahua sleep so close to me?
We mentioned that sleeping with dogs is great because of the added warmth but it goes right back to them too. Sleeping next to you helps them keep warm and Chihuahuas are notoriously always cold.
It also is a comfort for the dogs to sleep right next to their human.
What are the dangers of sleeping with dogs?
The biggest danger is hurting your dog by rolling over. If you are a heavy sleeper then you might want to think twice before allowing your dog to sleep in the bed with you.
Conclusion:
In the end, it’s always your decision on whether you sleep with your Chihuahua. After reading all the pros and cons if you decide you want to give it a try then go for it! It’s your dog so only you can know what’s best.
