We’ve been sleeping next to dogs and cats for thousands of years, but are they doing us more harm than good? Here’s what the science says
As a species, we have been sleeping alongside our four-legged friends since … well, no one is entirely sure, but certainly long before modern bedtime routines emerged. The first real beds appeared about 4,000 years ago, while the domestication of dogs began at least 20,000 years before that, with our canine companions working as a combination of predator deterrent and hot‑water bottle.
These days, there are very few roaming wolves, and we have duvets and heated blankets to keep us warm. So, is it possible that letting dogs – or cats – share our sleeping space is doing us more harm than good?
About Author
More Stories
I see my wife once a year. Can I question her on her love life?
Friendship, fitness and freedom: why LGBTQ+ Australians are turning to sports clubs to find ‘queer joy’
My partner and I argue constantly – and she puts all the blame on me | Ask Annalisa Barbieri