{"id":443158,"date":"2026-06-02T15:49:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T13:49:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=443158"},"modified":"2026-06-02T15:50:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T13:50:17","slug":"veterinaire-alerte-risques-meconnus-dormir-avec-animal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/veterinarian-warns-of-unknown-risks-of-sleeping-with-an-animal-443158","title":{"rendered":"A veterinarian warns of the little-known risks of sleeping with your pet."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sharing a bed with a dog or cat is one of life&#39;s little pleasures for many people. This reassuring closeness often strengthens the bond with one&#39;s pet. However <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/vet-issues-warning-anyone-who-37189259\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">, according to veterinarian Tom Mason<\/a> , this habit should be approached with some precautions to ensure everyone&#39;s well-being.<\/p>\n<h2> Parasites that can invite themselves under the covers<\/h2>\n<p> This is the first point raised by the specialist: even a perfectly loved and well-cared-for pet can carry certain parasites. Fleas, ticks, or mites can thus more easily end up in bedding when a dog or cat sleeps on the bed. The veterinarian also reminds us that some internal parasites can, in rare cases, be transmitted to humans. The risk remains low, but it is higher for young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.<\/p>\n<p>Good news: a few simple steps can already limit exposure. Cleaning your dog&#39;s paws with a suitable wipe after each walk, keeping parasite treatments up to date, and regularly washing bedding are all excellent habits.<\/p>\n<h2> Sleep that is sometimes less restorative<\/h2>\n<p> Does your dog often change position? Does your cat decide to explore the apartment at 3 a.m.? These small movements can disrupt your sleep without you even realizing it. The reverse is also true. Humans can also disturb their companions&#39; rest. And like us, dogs and cats need quality sleep to stay healthy and balanced every day.<\/p>\n<h2> Sleeping with your dog: a personal choice above all<\/h2>\n<p> Does this mean you should banish your dog or cat from the bedroom? Not necessarily. Experts mainly advise being aware of the potential drawbacks in order to make an informed decision. If you enjoy sleeping with your pet and it works well, there&#39;s no obligation, no shame, and no drama in continuing. Every human-animal pair finds its own balance. For those who prefer an alternative, placing a cozy basket near the bed allows you to maintain this reassuring proximity while minimizing some of the inconveniences.<\/p>\n<p>The most important thing is to prioritize hygiene, comfort, and the well-being of everyone involved. After all, there&#39;s no single right way to be a caring dog parent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Sharing a bed with a dog or cat is one of life&#39;s little pleasures for many people. This...","protected":false},"author":8375,"featured_media":443453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97760],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-443158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-animaux"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/veterinaire-alerte-risques-dormir-avec-animal-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/veterinaire-alerte-risques-dormir-avec-animal-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/veterinaire-alerte-risques-dormir-avec-animal.jpg","author":{"name":"Fabienne Baure","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/fabienne_baure-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":97760,"name":"Animal life","slug":"animaux","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":97932,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Animal life section of The Body Optimist covers <strong>pets<\/strong> and wildlife with curiosity and care: cat and dog behavior, animal welfare, everyday health and safety, responsible adoption, and the insects and critters in our homes and gardens. Our articles regularly draw on advice from veterinarians and research by scientists to help you understand animals better and live alongside them in harmony.<\/p>\n<h2>What you'll find in the Animal life section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pet behavior<\/strong>: understanding what your cat or dog is telling you, for example <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/how-to-say-i-love-you-cat-in-its-own-language-436460\">how to say \u201cI love you\u201d to a cat in its own language<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Everyday health and safety<\/strong>: food, hot weather, walks, sharing your home and simple prevention habits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Animal welfare<\/strong>: responsible adoption, shelters, abandonment and the specific needs of each species, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/why-does-sweden-forbid-leaving-a-cat-alone-all-day-436464\">why Sweden doesn't allow leaving a cat alone all day<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wildlife<\/strong>: endangered species, scientific discoveries, unusual encounters and popular myths, like the one about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/are-we-really-swallowing-sleeping-spiders-science-431596\">swallowing spiders in your sleep<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Insects and creepy-crawlies<\/strong>: spiders, mosquitoes and other visitors to keep at bay without harming them, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/natural-methods-to-effectively-repel-mosquitoes-438586\">natural ways to repel mosquitoes<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Which everyday foods are dangerous for dogs and cats?<\/h2>\n<p>Several common foods are toxic to dogs and cats, sometimes even in small amounts. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains theobromine, which their bodies struggle to eliminate. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Onions, garlic, shallots and leeks, raw or cooked, damage red blood cells. Xylitol, a sweetener found in some chewing gums and sugar-free products, is extremely dangerous for dogs. Alcohol, caffeine and cooked bones, which can splinter, are also off-limits. For cats, lilies are especially toxic, pollen included. If your pet swallows something harmful, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away.<\/p>\n<h2>Our approach<\/h2>\n<p>We see animals as sentient beings, not accessories. We talk about responsible adoption rather than impulse buying, respecting each species' needs rather than following trends, and watching wildlife from a distance, without feeding or disturbing it. Heartwarming stories have their place, alongside practical tips for life with your companion. Our articles do not replace a visit to the vet, the only professional who can make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to get you started<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Our tips to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/how-to-help-your-pet-better-tolerate-the-heat-at-home-445925\">help your pet cope with the heat<\/a> at home.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/very-common-household-foods-dangerous-for-dogs-443056\">common household foods that can be dangerous for dogs<\/a>, to keep out of reach.<\/li>\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/mistake-during-walks-putting-dog-in-danger-446339\">summer walk mistake<\/a> that can put your dog in danger.<\/li>\n<li>What a vet says about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/veterinarian-warns-of-unknown-risks-of-sleeping-with-an-animal-443158\">the little-known risks of sleeping with your pet<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>How <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/according-to-researchers-personality-influences-that-of-a-cat-431617\">your personality may shape your cat's<\/a>, according to researchers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What's the best pet for apartment living?<\/h3>\n<p>The right choice depends more on your time and lifestyle than on square footage. An indoor cat adapts well to apartment life if it has toys, scratching posts and high perches. A dog, whatever its size, needs to go out several times a day. Rabbits and guinea pigs are very social and do best in pairs or groups, with room to run around.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you tell if your cat or dog is healthy?<\/h3>\n<p>A healthy pet eats and drinks normally, plays, grooms itself and keeps its usual sleep and bathroom habits. Any sudden change should get your attention: loss of appetite, unusual hiding, new aggression, excessive licking, limping or trouble urinating. If you notice any of these signs, see your vet, and don't wait if you're in doubt.<\/p>\n<h3>What should you do if you find an injured wild animal?<\/h3>\n<p>Don't feed it or force it to drink. If you can do so safely, wearing gloves, place it in a ventilated cardboard box in a quiet, dark spot, then quickly contact a wildlife rehabilitation center or a veterinarian. A healthy baby bird that has fallen from its nest is often better left where it is: its parents usually keep feeding it.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Help protect biodiversity every day with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/green\">Green<\/a> section, and create a home where people and pets live happily together with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/deco-maison\">Decor<\/a> section.<\/p>","parent":0,"count":204,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":97760,"category_count":204,"category_description":"<p>The Animal life section of The Body Optimist covers <strong>pets<\/strong> and wildlife with curiosity and care: cat and dog behavior, animal welfare, everyday health and safety, responsible adoption, and the insects and critters in our homes and gardens. Our articles regularly draw on advice from veterinarians and research by scientists to help you understand animals better and live alongside them in harmony.<\/p>\n<h2>What you'll find in the Animal life section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pet behavior<\/strong>: understanding what your cat or dog is telling you, for example <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/how-to-say-i-love-you-cat-in-its-own-language-436460\">how to say \u201cI love you\u201d to a cat in its own language<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Everyday health and safety<\/strong>: food, hot weather, walks, sharing your home and simple prevention habits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Animal welfare<\/strong>: responsible adoption, shelters, abandonment and the specific needs of each species, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/why-does-sweden-forbid-leaving-a-cat-alone-all-day-436464\">why Sweden doesn't allow leaving a cat alone all day<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wildlife<\/strong>: endangered species, scientific discoveries, unusual encounters and popular myths, like the one about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/are-we-really-swallowing-sleeping-spiders-science-431596\">swallowing spiders in your sleep<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Insects and creepy-crawlies<\/strong>: spiders, mosquitoes and other visitors to keep at bay without harming them, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/natural-methods-to-effectively-repel-mosquitoes-438586\">natural ways to repel mosquitoes<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Which everyday foods are dangerous for dogs and cats?<\/h2>\n<p>Several common foods are toxic to dogs and cats, sometimes even in small amounts. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains theobromine, which their bodies struggle to eliminate. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Onions, garlic, shallots and leeks, raw or cooked, damage red blood cells. Xylitol, a sweetener found in some chewing gums and sugar-free products, is extremely dangerous for dogs. Alcohol, caffeine and cooked bones, which can splinter, are also off-limits. For cats, lilies are especially toxic, pollen included. If your pet swallows something harmful, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away.<\/p>\n<h2>Our approach<\/h2>\n<p>We see animals as sentient beings, not accessories. We talk about responsible adoption rather than impulse buying, respecting each species' needs rather than following trends, and watching wildlife from a distance, without feeding or disturbing it. Heartwarming stories have their place, alongside practical tips for life with your companion. Our articles do not replace a visit to the vet, the only professional who can make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to get you started<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Our tips to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/how-to-help-your-pet-better-tolerate-the-heat-at-home-445925\">help your pet cope with the heat<\/a> at home.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/very-common-household-foods-dangerous-for-dogs-443056\">common household foods that can be dangerous for dogs<\/a>, to keep out of reach.<\/li>\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/mistake-during-walks-putting-dog-in-danger-446339\">summer walk mistake<\/a> that can put your dog in danger.<\/li>\n<li>What a vet says about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/veterinarian-warns-of-unknown-risks-of-sleeping-with-an-animal-443158\">the little-known risks of sleeping with your pet<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>How <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/animaux\/according-to-researchers-personality-influences-that-of-a-cat-431617\">your personality may shape your cat's<\/a>, according to researchers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What's the best pet for apartment living?<\/h3>\n<p>The right choice depends more on your time and lifestyle than on square footage. An indoor cat adapts well to apartment life if it has toys, scratching posts and high perches. A dog, whatever its size, needs to go out several times a day. Rabbits and guinea pigs are very social and do best in pairs or groups, with room to run around.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you tell if your cat or dog is healthy?<\/h3>\n<p>A healthy pet eats and drinks normally, plays, grooms itself and keeps its usual sleep and bathroom habits. Any sudden change should get your attention: loss of appetite, unusual hiding, new aggression, excessive licking, limping or trouble urinating. If you notice any of these signs, see your vet, and don't wait if you're in doubt.<\/p>\n<h3>What should you do if you find an injured wild animal?<\/h3>\n<p>Don't feed it or force it to drink. If you can do so safely, wearing gloves, place it in a ventilated cardboard box in a quiet, dark spot, then quickly contact a wildlife rehabilitation center or a veterinarian. A healthy baby bird that has fallen from its nest is often better left where it is: its parents usually keep feeding it.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Help protect biodiversity every day with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/green\">Green<\/a> section, and create a home where people and pets live happily together with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/deco-maison\">Decor<\/a> section.<\/p>","cat_name":"Animal life","category_nicename":"animaux","category_parent":0}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8375"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=443158"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":443659,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/443158\/revisions\/443659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/443453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=443158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=443158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=443158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}