baltimoresun.com

Should you let your pets sleep in bed with you?

Steve Dale
Tribune Media Services
March 3, 2011
The following reader question was answered at the 83rd Annual Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, Feb. 20-24. Nearly 15,000 veterinary professionals attended for continuing education. Speakers included many of the world's top experts in veterinary medicine. Several of them agreed to weigh in on your queries.

Q: Is it OK to let your pets sleep in bed with you or not? You've supported the idea, but now I see some don't believe it's a good idea. -- J.K., Houston, TX

A: You're referring to a study from the University of California-Davis which pointed out potential dangers of sharing your bed with a dog or cat. Much of their report focused on parasite transmission.

"The truth is that the vast majority of these parasites are preventable, using products recommended by your veterinarian," says Dr. Larry Kornegay of Houston, TX, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

As for reported dangers of being on the wet end of a dog kiss, Kornegay laughs and says, "Well, regular dental care can control much that bacteria." He adds, "Listen, I'm all for using common sense." Allowing pets to lick open sores -- not a good idea, for example. Or to give you a kiss after having been in the trash -- also not a good idea.

Immuno-compromised individuals, for example, should probably not be sharing the bed with a pet. Ask your physician.

"I can tell you humans have shared their sleeping spaces with dogs (actually ancestors of today's dogs) since the Stone Age," Kornegay says. "The human/animal bond has more benefits than potential risks, which are minimized with regular veterinary exams."

Kornegay concedes that his daughter shares her bed with a Miniature Schnauzer, and sometimes two cats squeeze in, too.