{"id":690,"date":"2025-04-16T14:18:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T14:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weatherfordsleep.com\/blog\/?p=690"},"modified":"2025-04-16T14:18:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T14:18:31","slug":"pets-and-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weatherfordsleep.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/16\/pets-and-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Could Sharing a Bed with Your Pet Affect Your Sleep Apnea?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you have sleep apnea<\/a>, it\u2019s essential to take the time to consider all the factors that could be affecting the quality of your rest. For example, you may be in the habit of letting your pet snuggle up with you when it\u2019s time to go to bed \u2013 but is this really the best choice when you\u2019re dealing with sleep-disordered breathing? Here\u2019s what pet owners with sleep apnea need to know about sharing a bed with their furry friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Can Pets Impact Your Sleep in General?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some people believe that sharing a bed with their pets can help them sleep better, finding that their presence provides a sense of warmth and security. However, there is evidence that pets can affect sleep efficiency, which is a ratio of how much time you spend asleep compared to the total amount of time you spend in bed. Studies show that people who sleep with a pet but no human partner tend to have lower sleep efficiency. That said, the impact doesn\u2019t seem to be too severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Pets Affect Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you have sleep apnea, your nightly slumber is interrupted by repeated pauses in your breathing. Said pauses are usually caused by an obstruction of the airway. Since each pause can force your body to briefly wake up, sleep apnea can make it extremely difficult to get quality sleep, which can have a detrimental effect on your overall health and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If sleep apnea is already disrupting your rest, sharing a bed with your pet could make the issue worse. The movements and sounds from your four-legged friend could ultimately make it harder to fall and stay asleep, thus adding to your already existing sleep problems. On top of that, if you\u2019re allergic to pet dander, sharing a bed with your pet could lead to nasal congestion, which can potentially make sleep-disordered breathing even more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Should You Do to Reduce Your Pet\u2019s Impact on Your Sleep?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re worried that your pet may be contributing to your sleep apnea or could otherwise be having a negative effect on your sleep, you should consider taking the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n