Deciding whether to share your bed with a pet, especially as a pet sitter, involves a careful balance of comfort and consideration. For me, ensuring a good night’s sleep is paramount. My decision on allowing a pet in bed hinges on several factors, primarily the pet’s size relative to the bed size and their typical nighttime habits. It’s also worth noting that pets, much like humans, can sometimes deviate from their usual routines, particularly when their owners are away and they might be seeking extra reassurance.
Recently, while caring for a large dog accustomed to sleeping with her owner, I was asked to discourage this practice as the owner often found it disruptive to her own sleep. Respecting the owner’s wishes, I initially prevented the dog from joining me in bed. The owner anticipated she would sleep in the living room, her usual daytime napping spot. However, throughout my stay, she opted to sleep either on the floor beside my bed or at its foot. This change in behavior could have been driven by a need for comfort in a new situation, a protective instinct, or perhaps a combination of both.
While I draw the line at allowing pets under the covers, if a smaller dog or a cat can comfortably share the bed without compromising my sleep quality, I genuinely enjoy their company. Open communication with pet owners is crucial. I always discuss sleeping arrangements if I foresee any potential issues. It’s incredibly helpful when homeowners proactively address their pet’s sleeping habits in their initial instructions, setting clear expectations from the outset.
