Have you noticed that you’re more drained in the morning than when you finally drifted off the night before, daytime exhaustion, or mood swings? If so, you might have sleep apnea. People with this disorder experience interruptions in their breathing that keep them from completing all the stages of their sleep cycles necessary to rest and rejuvenate their systems.
Many patients have questions about improving their condition, like whether snoozing with their pet helps. If you’re curious whether your four-legged friend can improve your quality of rest, continue reading to learn more about it!
What is Sleep Efficiency?
If you’re wondering if your pet improves or worsens your ability to get some quality z’s, you’re not alone. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and the American Veterinary Medical Association are also curious and have shared information and statistics that can shed some light on the topic.
In one study, researchers examined patients’ sleep efficiency with and without their furry friends to determine the impact of pets’ presence. This measurement refers to how much time you’re actually asleep in bed, as opposed to being in bed but still awake. A rating of 80% or more is considered ideal for most people.
How do Pets Impact Sleep Efficiency?
One experiment conducted examined sleep efficiency based on dog size, whether the dog was in the room or in the bed, and whether there were one or two humans in the bed. This particular study determined that people had the highest sleep efficiency when they slept in bed with a human partner and had a medium-sized dog in the room (but not necessarily on the mattress). Researchers also discovered that sleep efficiency was lowest without any human partner and with a small dog in bed.
However, results can vary based on someone’s unique situation. For example, some people find their pet’s presence calming and comforting, while others are agitated by restless movements or sounds from their canine companions.
Can I Safely Sleep with My Pet if I Have Sleep Apnea?
Researchers know that sleep efficiency is only one possible way to determine someone’s quality of rest, and though they gleaned some beneficial information through this small study, the conclusions shouldn’t be applied to the population at large. Other factors can also impact the outcome, like how much rest they get, what time of day they usually drift off, and how well they stay asleep.
However, they do encourage sleep dentists and doctors to consider various aspects that can affect how quickly someone zonks out and whether they remain peacefully dreaming when determining possible solutions to address disorders like sleep apnea, including whether their pets are joining them!
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are due to sleep apnea, the best next step is to contact your dentist!
Meet the Author
Dr. Tad Morgan has nearly 30 years of experience helping people improve their daily quality of life by enhancing their dental health. He earned his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry and is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services, and his office is one of only two in the nation with The Breathe Institute affiliate status to address sleep apnea. If you’re worried you’ve developed a disorder, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (903) 825-1112.