Leading pet behaviourist Dilly Kitchlew Williamson, in collaboration with UK bed specialist Bensons for Beds, has advised pet owners to stop sharing beds with their cats or dogs to improve sleep quality and overall well-being for both humans and animals. Her insights highlight the growing trend of “sleep divorcing” pets, ensuring better rest and healthier boundaries in pet-owner relationships.

Kitchlew Williamson, who works with high-profile clients including Royals and celebrities, stresses that co-sleeping with pets is rarely beneficial. She explains: “It’s never a good idea to start sleeping with your pet in the bed as it’s such a hard habit to break. What’s more, it can be dangerous (for the owner and pet) and brings little to no benefits for either of you and, excluding assistance and therapy dogs, separate sleeping arrangements would be the best thing for both human and animal well-being.”

Sharing a bed with pets can disrupt sleep, particularly for owners of breeds prone to sleep issues, such as bulldogs, whose short, flat faces and narrowed airways increase risks of snoring and sleep apnoea. Breeds like Golden Retrievers and Labradors, known for their affectionate nature, may become particularly attached to sleeping in their owner’s bed, making it harder to transition them to separate sleeping arrangements.

Kitchlew Williamson notes that pets may not always want to share a bed and will show signs of discomfort if forced to do so. “Pets who don’t want to be shut in the same bedroom will show restlessness – often panting, pacing and possibly being quite vocal. It might be the case that they actually want to start sleeping in their own space,” she says. Recognising these behaviours is key to ensuring pets feel comfortable and secure in their own sleeping environment.

Beyond sleep quality, Kitchlew Williamson highlights that setting boundaries with pets can strengthen the human-animal bond. “People sometimes think that being as close as possible to your pet all the time, even in bed, is a way to strengthen your bond. In truth, it’s healthy to have time apart from your pet and to set boundaries, which in turn can improve the quality of time that you do spend with them,” she explains. This approach fosters mutual respect and enhances the time spent together during waking hours.

For pet owners already sharing a bed with their animals, transitioning to a “sleep divorce” can be challenging but achievable with the right approach. Kitchlew Williamson and Bensons for Beds offer practical tips to ease this process.

Tips for sleep divorcing your pet

• Choose a comfortable pet bed. Start by making the basket or bed you want to transition the pet to more rewarding than yours. Something plush, soft, and close to your bed would work nicely. Dogs like to be cocooned in a soft surface, and cats will often like to hide away in a covered area, so choose something that is appropriate to the type/breed of your pet.
• Create a bedtime routine. Let them know it’s bedtime with a toy or a chew that they can take into their basket or bed at bedtime only. This, done over a few nights, will signal that this is their time to settle down and go to sleep, and acts as a reward for getting into their own space and not your bed.
• Adjust their night-time habits. For dog owners, make sure your dog has been to the toilet and had a small drink before taking them upstairs to bed. Even if they’re not sharing a bed with you, you don’t want to be disturbed in the night with them getting up, so it may be necessary to reschedule their habits to get them into a good night-time routine.

Rachel Marshall, Bensons for Beds Brand Manager, reinforces the importance of this shift: “While we all love snuggling with our pets, sharing a bed with them can bring a host of unwanted side effects, from disrupted sleep to allergy flare-ups. Choosing to ‘sleep divorce’ your pet isn’t about losing that bond; it’s about protecting your own rest and sleep quality. You can still enjoy cuddling on the sofa but it’s clear that your bed should remain a pet-free sanctuary just for you.”

This advice aligns with growing awareness of sleep hygiene and its impact on health, with experts advocating for pet-free bedrooms to ensure restful nights. By creating a separate, comfortable sleeping space for pets, owners can foster better sleep for themselves and their furry companions while maintaining a strong bond.