Science Shows That Women Sleep Better Next To Dogs Than Men

The importance of sleep for one’s health should go without saying. The ideal approach to obtain restful sleep is a topic of great interest to a large number of researchers. But forget about meditating before bed and drinking chamomile tea. It has been found that women sleep better when their dogs are nearby. That’s correct, a study by Canisius College in New York State revealed that dogs make more comfortable sleeping companions than either people or cats.

Christy Hoffman, Ph.D., an animal behaviorist and the study’s chief researcher, said, “We found that women commonly rate dogs as better bed partners than cats and human partners and report that their dogs enhance their sleep quality.”

According to Research, Women Sleep Better Next to Dogs

Hoffman arrived at these conclusions after surveying almost a thousand American women. According to the findings, 31% of the participants and 55% of the participants shared a bed with a cat or a dog. Moreover, 57% of these ladies slept in the same bed as a human companion, compared to the other 40%.[1]

Hoffman also found out why dogs appeared to be the most comfortable bedmates.The first explanation is that dogs’ sleeping habits more closely reflect human sleep patterns than those of cats.

Hoffman stated, “It is not surprising that dogs and cats have different sleep schedules because dogs’ major sleep periods tend to coincide more closely with humans’ than do cats’.”

Even though these similar sleeping habits might have advantages, additional research is necessary to be certain. However, Hoffman has some ideas about how this might function.

She said, “Dogs may be better at accommodating their human’s sleep schedule than human bed partners.” Human bed companions frequently go to sleep and wake up at significantly different times from one another. Sleep disruption is undoubtedly a result of schedule discrepancies between spouses. It’s possible that canine bed companions adjust to their owner’s schedule more easily than do human bed partners.

Dogs also need specific routines and obligations, like an early morning stroll. These kinds of regimens support their users in sticking to a schedule, which enhances the quality of their sleep.

Calm and Safety

Dogs also have a tendency to remain rigid during sleep. Anyone who has ever shared a bed with a fidgety partner understands how annoying they can be. Nonetheless, the study’s female participants stated that, in contrast to cats, who tended to come and go, their dogs spent the most of the night on the bed.

This implies that cats might be more prone than dogs to disturb sleep by getting in and out of bed at different times. Furthermore, Hoffman stated, “We discovered that dog owners tended to go to bed and wake up earlier than cat owners and also adhered to more regular bedtime and wake time schedules.”

The third and most crucial reason is that dogs provide their owners a sense of security.more so than in relationships with humans or even cats.

“Some dog owners may find solace in the knowledge that their pet will notify them in the event of an intruder or other emergency; also, a dog’s barking may dissuade a possible invader. Hoffman stated that whereas a dog may offer psychological consolation, a cat is less likely to assume this function.

The Ideal Sleep Partner

Dogs are the ideal sleeping companions, according to the study, although their advantages vary depending on the situation.A dog might, for instance, snore or overheat the bed. Furthermore, a lot of owners report that their cats aid in their ability to go asleep.

Remember that the study relied on the volunteers’ perceptions of the effects of their pets on the quantity and quality of their sleep. Therefore, further impartial study is required before it can be said with certainty that dogs make better sleeping companions. Nonetheless, Hoffman thinks that since pets are common in American homes, these research might be helpful.

“This line of research will be valuable to develop a clearer picture of the contexts under which co-sleeping with a pet may be detrimental to one’s sleep quality, and the contexts under which pets and their presence in their owner’s bed may positively impact sleep quality,” the spokesperson stated.

For example, studies have indicated that women sleep better on their alone than in the company of a human, but many people hold the opposite view. In the future, scientists may employ Fitbit-like gadgets to measure people’s sleep quality objectively under various sleeping scenarios.

I Left My Son with My New Husband for a Work Trip – My Boy’s Audio Message Made Me Rush Home Immediately

I thought everything was fine at home while I was away on a work trip until a message from my 10-year-old son shattered that belief. In just a few words, he revealed how my husband had made him feel like an outsider, and I knew I had to act fast to protect my child.

I was three days into a work trip. Just three days. I should’ve been enjoying my time and focused on my meetings. But instead, I found myself booking the first flight home after hearing that message from Jake.

A woman in a hotel lobby | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a hotel lobby | Source: Midjourney

Everything had seemed fine at first. Our family wasn’t perfect, but we were happy, or so I thought. Jake, my eldest, was from my first marriage. He was ten now, a bright kid with a love for drawing and adventure.

Tommy, who was six, was from my marriage to Mark. The two boys got along like real brothers, always playing and laughing together. I never saw a problem.

Two boys playing together | Source: Midjourney

Two boys playing together | Source: Midjourney

Each night, I would FaceTime the boys. They’d show me their drawings, tell me about their day, and I’d laugh along with them. Mark, my husband of seven years, was at home taking care of them. I trusted him. He’d always been great with Tommy. And I thought he was good with Jake, too.

Well, one regular evening, Jake sent me an audio message. His sweet voice filled the silence of my hotel room.

A boy talking on his phone in his room | Source: Midjourney

A boy talking on his phone in his room | Source: Midjourney

“Hey, Mom. Today was good. Tommy and I played outside. Oh, and Tommy and Dad finished their food first, and then I got to eat what was left. Dad says it’s normal, and I should be okay with it. But, um, I think it was kinda weird. Was it?”

I stopped breathing. Played the message again. Leftovers? My 10-year-old son was eating leftovers? Why? And why would Mark say that was okay?

A shocked woman with her phone in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman with her phone in a hotel room | Source: Midjourney

I called Jake right away. He answered on the second ring, his voice light, not a care in the world.

“Hey, Mom!”

“Hey, sweetie,” I tried to keep my voice calm. “Can you tell me again about dinner?”

“Yeah,” Jake said. “Tommy and Dad ate first. He said it was their special time. Then Dad said I could have the rest. He said I could eat with my real dad if I wanted more time with him. But it’s fine, Mom. It’s no big deal.”

A boy watching his father and brother eat | Source: Midjourney

A boy watching his father and brother eat | Source: Midjourney

No big deal? My heart ached. How could Mark say something like that to Jake? How could he make my son feel like he didn’t belong?

“I’ll be home soon, Jake,” I said, trying to keep the anger from my voice. “Okay? I’ll be home.”

Jake was quiet for a moment. “Okay, Mom. See you soon.”

A concerned woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

A concerned woman talking on her phone | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t think twice. As soon as Jake hung up, my mind was made up. My son needed me, and I had to get home. My job, the meetings, the deadlines — they all seemed so insignificant compared to this.

I booked the next available flight without hesitation. My hands were shaking as I packed my bag, thinking about Jake sitting at the table, eating leftovers while Mark and Tommy enjoyed their dinner together. How could Mark do that to him? How could he make Jake feel like he didn’t belong in his own home?

A boy eating leftovers | Source: Midjourney

A boy eating leftovers | Source: Midjourney

My mind went back, looking for any signs of previous mistreatment. Had Mark ever hinted that he didn’t see Jake as his own? Had he ever made Jake feel like a stranger in our home?

Mark had always been a great dad to Tommy. I watched him play with Tommy for hours, teaching him how to ride a bike or helping him with homework.

A man playing with his son | Source: Midjourney

A man playing with his son | Source: Midjourney

When I first met Mark, he embraced my situation. He knew I had Jake from my first marriage, and he stepped into our lives without hesitation. It wasn’t always easy blending a family, but we made it work.

He seemed like the perfect stepfather to Jake, too. Sure, it was different—Jake wasn’t his biological son—but I never thought Mark would treat him any less than a part of our family. Or, at least, until now.

A man teaching his son to ride a bike | Source: Midjourney

A man teaching his son to ride a bike | Source: Midjourney

“Mom, is it normal that I only got to eat what was left?”

How could he do this?

When I landed the next day, my stomach was in knots. I needed to see Jake, to hold him, to make sure he was okay. But I also needed answers from Mark.

Would he even understand how badly he had hurt my son?

A concerned dark-haired woman in an airport | Source: Midjourney

A concerned dark-haired woman in an airport | Source: Midjourney

When I got home, I was determined. I walked in, and there were Jake and Tommy playing on the floor, just like normal. Jake’s face lit up when he saw me.

“Mom! You’re back early!” he said, running over to hug me.

I held him close, my heart breaking a little. “Yeah, sweetie, I missed you too much.”

Mark was in the kitchen, and when he saw me, he looked surprised. “You’re back already?” His tone was casual, like nothing had happened.

A man cooking | Source: Midjourney

A man cooking | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t respond. Not yet. I had a plan.

That evening, I made dinner — Jake’s favorite meal: spaghetti and meatballs. I didn’t ask Mark to help. I didn’t say anything to him at all. I just focused on my boys, making sure Jake and Tommy knew they were loved.

“Dinner’s ready!” I called, setting the table. Jake and Tommy ran over, excited. I served them both big portions, making sure Jake got his plate first. The three of us sat down, and I started eating with them, smiling and chatting about their day.

A woman having breakfast with her two sons | Source: Midjourney

A woman having breakfast with her two sons | Source: Midjourney

Mark stood by the table, waiting. At first, he didn’t seem to notice that I hadn’t made him a plate. He just stood there, watching us eat.

Finally, he cleared his throat. “Where’s mine?”

I looked up at him calmly. “Oh, I thought you could have some special time with your food after we’re done. Just like you did with Jake.”

His face changed. He frowned, confusion spreading across it. “What? That’s different.”

A woman talking to her husband in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to her husband in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

I shook my head, keeping my voice steady. “Is it? Because this is exactly what you did to Jake.”

Mark stood there, staring at me, trying to figure out what to say. He looked down at the table, realizing I wasn’t going to budge. I let the silence stretch for a moment, giving him time to think.

“You made Jake feel like he wasn’t part of this family,” I said quietly but firmly. “That’s not okay. Not ever.”

A man standing in his kitchen | Source: Midjourney

A man standing in his kitchen | Source: Midjourney

Mark’s frustration was clear, but he didn’t argue. He sat down, and I handed him a plate with the leftover spaghetti. He didn’t say much, but I could tell he knew I was serious.

After dinner, once the boys were in bed, I sat down with Mark. I wasn’t angry anymore — just tired and disappointed. He needed to understand the damage he’d done, and I needed him to hear me.

A woman having a serious talk with her husband | Source: Midjourney

A woman having a serious talk with her husband | Source: Midjourney

“Look,” he started, “I didn’t think it was a big deal. I just wanted to spend time with Tommy. Jake has his own dad, you know? I figured it’d be good for him to bond with his dad when he’s with him.”

I shook my head. “That’s not how this works, Mark. Jake lives here. He’s part of this family. When you married me, you married into this family, and that includes Jake. You don’t get to treat him like he’s second-best just because he has another dad.”

A man looking to his side | Source: Midjourney

A man looking to his side | Source: Midjourney

Mark looked away, his jaw clenched. “I didn’t mean to hurt him.”

“I know you didn’t, but you did,” I replied softly. “You made him feel like he doesn’t belong here. That’s not something he should ever feel in his own home.”

He sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. “I didn’t think about it like that. I just thought—”

“You thought wrong,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “Jake is your son too. Maybe not by blood, but in every other way, he’s yours. If you can’t see that, then we have a problem.”

A serious woman talking to her husband in their living room | Source: Midjourney

A serious woman talking to her husband in their living room | Source: Midjourney

Mark was silent for a long time. I could see him processing what I’d said, but I didn’t let him off the hook.

“If you ever make Jake feel like he’s not part of this family again, we’re done. No warnings. No second chances. You treat both boys equally, or you don’t treat either of them at all.”

He finally nodded, the weight of my words sinking in. “Okay,” he said quietly. “I understand.”

A shot of a serious dark-haired woman | Source: Midjourney

A shot of a serious dark-haired woman | Source: Midjourney

The next morning, I watched from the kitchen as Mark made breakfast. He scrambled eggs for both boys, setting the table for all three of them. Tommy was his usual bubbly self, but I could see Mark making an effort with Jake, asking him about his drawings, trying to include him in the conversation.

A man cooking breakfast | Source: Midjourney

A man cooking breakfast | Source: Midjourney

It was a small start, but it was something. Trust would take time to rebuild, but for now, it seemed like Mark understood what was at stake.

I wasn’t ready to forgive him yet. But I was hopeful that maybe, just maybe, things would get better.

A family having breakfast | Source: Midjourney

A family having breakfast | Source: Midjourney

Liked this story? Consider checking out this one: After a week away, I came home to the strange and unsettling sight of my kids sleeping on the cold hallway floor. Heart pounding, I searched for answers, only to find my husband missing and odd noises coming from the kids’ room. What I uncovered next left me furious — and ready for a fight!

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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