This common expression apparently originated in outback Australia, meaning the colder the night the more dogs were needed in bed with you to keep you warm.
The Australian study, Should we let sleeping dogs lie… with us?, says the term Three Dog Night has been widely recorded in ethnographies of Indigenous Australians.
The study goes on to highlight that pets can also represent a significant cause of disturbance for those who allow pets in the bed or bedroom. For instance, the Mayo Sleep Clinic in the US surveyed 300 patients with an existing sleep disorder and found that 53 per cent of pet guardians who allowed their pet(s) to sleep in their beds were disturbed every night by the animal in some way.
How much sleep does your dog need?
Dogs sleep more than humans and take frequent naps. They have bursts of sleep during the day, rather than one long sleep session. The amount of sleep a dog needs is dependent on a variety of factors such as breed and lifestyle, although age is the most important factor with an adult dog sleeping about 12-14 hours a day. Puppies can easily snooze for 18-20 hours and need their sleep as their bodies are growing.
Pets have different sleep-wake cycles as, unlike humans, they do not spend eight hours in a sleep state. A dog’s sleep cycle is shorter: where we go through an average of five cycles a night, it is usual for a dog to go through more than 23 sleep/wake episodes – three sleep/wake cycles per hour, with active sleep immediately followed by spontaneous arousal.
Dogs snore, too, and make all sorts of nocturnal noise. That often brings with it barking, howling, scratching and the perennial delight of the dog chasing its tail and whizzing around the house.
Healthy hounds and hazards
Sleeping with your pet may have some downsides, compromising your household’s health and wellbeing with allergies, infestations or sleep disruptions.
Dogs are continuously shedding fur, some breeds more than others. This can vary with temperature, sunlight and season. Canines need to shed old fur so new healthy fur can grow. Shedding can also be a sign of an underlying medical issue, particularly if they are exhibiting symptoms of alopecia, infection, itchiness or lesions. Consider if the family would be comfortable with dog fur in their beds, hygiene concerns and the additional washing of bed linen.
There’s also the issue of fleas. Unlike ticks or lice that becomes bonded into fur, the flea eggs drop off the host and onto surrounding floors or bedding.
Flea larvae feed off skin, dandruff and faeces. It’s in the best interest of your pet and your household to shift the focus onto halting the life cycle of the flea, given the majority of the flea’s life span of up to several months is spent on your pet’s bedding – or wherever your pet sleeps.
Allergies can also be heightened by having pets in the bed, especially as dust and pollen cling to fur and skin sensitivities can worsen – leading to skin irritations.
If someone in the household or a visitor is immunocompromised, particularly if undergoing medical treatment, it’s sensible not to have your pet in bed and that would encompass pregnant or breastfeeding women or if there is a child or newborn in the house. This is particularly dangerous where toxoplasmosis, dangerous in puppies, might be an issue.
Pups prioritise comfort
Dog beds are always a good idea. Sleeping directly on the floor or a mat may cause further injury or damage; draughts or damp environments are likely to exacerbate rather than eliminate a condition. Keeping your pup off the floor is basic pet care.
Just as with us humans, a calm environment induces rest and relaxation. Dogs like to feel comfortable and warm so textured fabrics and clean bedding are probably your pup’s priorities.
Poppy’s Pet Bed packs come with two velour-feel quilted outer covers and two water-repellent laminated terry-cotton inner bed casings. This means you can easily have one bed cover in the wash while the other is in use, so pup always has a clean and hygienic place to call home.
Intrinsic to the concept of our Poppy’s Pet Bed is the health and wellness of your pet, ensuring better sleep. Humans too can rest easy knowing their dog is well cared for, pampered and comfortable in its pet bed.
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