What sleeping with a dog or cat says about pet owners in Spain

In Spain, a very common habit among pet owners is prompting psychologists to examine our relationship with affection.

Published on 22 May 2025, an article from the Spanish outlet Okdiario looks at people who share their bed with a dog or cat. This night-time closeness may involve more than comfort or tenderness: according to the analysis reported by the website, it could also reflect certain personality traits.

Sharing a bed as a sign of generosity

The first point highlighted is generosity. Welcoming a pet onto the bed means giving up part of an intimate space that is usually set aside for rest. For the psychologists quoted by Okdiario, this action may show a willingness to share and to consider another living being's needs.

Whether it is a dog asking for a spot at the end of the bed or a cat settling against someone's legs or on their pillow, these routines can require owners to alter their own sleeping position. They therefore accept a degree of compromise, without necessarily seeing it as a burden.

Sharing a bed with a pet is presented as a sign of attention to its needs, in exchange for having slightly less space for oneself.

This reading cannot provide a definitive psychological profile. Instead, it points to a possible tendency among people who place particular importance on care, comfort and affectionate bonds.

Adapting to unexpected disruptions

A night spent with a pet does not always run smoothly. Some animals move around, switch places, ask to go outside or wake at the slightest sound. According to the article, people who make this choice may therefore have a certain ability to adapt.

This flexibility may extend beyond the bedroom. It could also appear in daily life when dealing with altered routines, family surprises or professional uncertainties. Living with a pet does, after all, require days to be organised around walks, meals, care and time together.

• Tolerating the pet's movements during the night;
• Managing a routine that may differ from their own;
• Responding when the animal appears anxious or uncomfortable;
• Rearranging their space without giving up the affectionate bond.

This shared night-time arrangement can also have drawbacks. Sleep that is interrupted regularly may lead to tiredness, whatever affection the owner has for the animal. The balance therefore depends largely on the pet's habits and the owner's quality of rest.

Empathy and awareness of emotions

Empathy is among the traits most frequently connected with this practice. Sleeping close to a pet means noticing its signals: unusual restlessness, different breathing, a request for closeness or, conversely, a need for quiet.

Animals do not communicate through speech. Their owners often learn to understand their posture, gaze, vocalisations and behavioural changes. According to the psychologists mentioned in the article, this attentive listening may also carry over into human relationships.

Sensitivity beyond the relationship with the pet

People who favour this closeness may be more inclined to offer support and reassurance to those close to them. The article sees this as reflecting a particular approach to affection: they may value genuine relationships and a reassuring presence without immediate judgement.

Shared sleep should not, however, be treated as a personality test. Someone who is highly empathetic may choose to have their pet sleep in another room because of allergies, training or sleep concerns. Conversely, allowing a cat onto the bed is not enough to define its owner's character.

A feeling of security and calm

An animal's presence can create a sense of security. Its warmth, steady breathing or a cat's purring may produce an environment that feels soothing. Okdiario also reports the view of Dr Sarah Mitchell, who links this habit to the release of endorphins and oxytocin, two hormones associated with relaxation.

Richard Lee, described in the article as a sleep specialist at Stanford University, believes that an animal's presence can help some people reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier for them to fall asleep.

The benefit felt depends on each pet-and-owner pairing: closeness is calming for some, while for others it breaks up their sleep.

Psychologists also connect this search for calm with a preference for harmony and emotional balance. The people concerned may be less comfortable with conflict and may favour peaceful relationships.

The ability to form and maintain bonds

The seventh characteristic mentioned concerns the capacity to build connections. Caring for a dog or cat every day requires consistency and observation. According to the analysis reported by the Spanish outlet, this experience may develop particular attentiveness to non-verbal signals.

An animal expresses its mood through its body: flattened ears, a lowered tail, avoidance, seeking contact or excitement. Being able to recognise these signs may encourage more attentive communication with people around them. Once again, this is an avenue of interpretation rather than a rule that applies to every owner.

What to know in France

In France, there is no general rule preventing an individual from allowing their pet to sleep in their bedroom or on their bed. The decision mainly depends on each person's comfort, the animal's habits and any advice given by a doctor or vet.

A few precautions are helpful. Someone allergic to hair, dander or dust mites may find their symptoms worsen if the pet sleeps in the bedroom. People with weakened immune systems may also seek medical advice before adopting this habit.

Hygiene, sleep and the pet's behaviour

Regular veterinary care, parasite prevention and washing bedding all contribute to a more peaceful arrangement. It is also best not to force an animal to sleep on the bed if it prefers its own basket: a cat or dog should have access to a quiet space of its own.

The key measure remains the quality of sleep for everyone involved. If waking becomes frequent, the animal takes up all the space or shows signs of discomfort, placing its bed close to the owner's bed can preserve the bond without sacrificing restful nights.