Dogs increase risk of interrupted sleep, study finds

Dogs could be to blame for more restless nights, leg jerks, and sleep disorders, new research reveals.

The study by US scientists at Lincoln Memorial University shows that dog owners are more likely to have sleeping disorders than those without a pup.

For its analysis, the study drew upon data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in 2005-2006. Around 5,500 perspectives were examined, 51.7% of who were females and 48.3% males.

Overall, dog owners were shown to have more trouble with sleeping, sleeping disorders, sleep apnea, feeling unrested, feeling sleepy, not getting enough sleep, needing pills to sleep, and having leg jerks compared to non-dog owners.

Dr Lauren Wisnieski, who led the study, said: “Prior studies on the association between pet ownership and sleep quality and sleep disorders have varied results.

“On the one hand, dogs and cats may be beneficial for an owner’s quality of sleep due to the social support that pets provide – pets offer a sense of security and companionship, which may result in improvements in levels of anxiety, stress and depression. Yet on the other hand, pets may disrupt their owners’ sleep.”

However, the Mayo Clinic in Arizona previously found that letting pets rest with you in the bedroom may help sleep.