With winter fast approaching and the days getting shorter, it’s natural to want to curl up in bed a little early these days. Even better if you have someone or something to snuggle with. For millions of Americans, that something is often a pet. But is it a good idea to sleep with our furry friends, or are they best left in their own space during the evening? Here are some reasons you may want to reconsider your current sleeping arrangement when it comes to your pet.There is no denying pets are good for us. Studies have shown that owning a pet can extend our lives and reduce feelings of depression. But what about during the night? Should we be sleeping with our dog or cat? Believe it or not, experts say yes, with a few exceptions.Sleeping with a pet not only increases the bond between owners and pets, but it also helps the owner by improving the mood and decreasing depression symptoms. This has been shown to work with both cats and dogs, but some experts say other types of exotic pets should be left in crates or separate beds. Think ferrets, guinea pigs, or pot-bellied pigs. That is because these animals require their own special sleeping arrangements for the security and well-being of the animal.But those of us who want to sleep alongside our cat or dog are mostly in luck unless we suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea. Here’s where experts say it’s better to leave Fido or Fluffy off the bed. This is because the movement of an animal during the evening (whether they simply find a new position or walk on us in the night) could disrupt our sleep, causing our sleep disorder symptoms to worsen. After all, when you suffer from a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, the last thing you need is another sleep disruption.The good news is that our pets will still love us in the morning, no matter where they go to sleep each night, so don’t feel guilty if you need to go it alone for your own sleep’s sake each evening. If you suffer from sleep apnea, prioritizing your health is of paramount importance, so be sure to wear your oral appliance each evening, and create positive sleep conditions that enable you to get the best night’s sleep possible- even if that means leaving the pets out of bed.To learn more about oral sleep devices, please contact Dr. Peterson’s office for a consultation.