If you have a pet, chances are they are part of the family. There are so many benefits of bringing a pet into your life – from love and companionship, to safety and security. Many pet owners debate whether or not they want to invite their furry friends into their bed at night. While it’s really a personal preference, there are a number of benefits to sleeping with your pet. The experts at Mattress Advisor helped us break down how sharing your bed with your pet can actually improve your sleep quality.

1. Fall asleep faster. The rhythmic breathing of your pet can actually help calm and relax your mind, preparing you for sleep. The trick is for your pet to fall asleep first, but we all know that’s a pretty easy task.
2. Have peace of mind. If you sleep alone, sleeping with your pet can actually bring you comfort and security at night just having the presence of another body with you.
3. Get into a routine sleep schedule. Pets are creatures of habit, and that includes their sleep schedule. If your sleep and wake times tend to be out of whack, sleeping with your pet who likely falls asleep and wakes up at the same time every day can actually help you do the same.
4. Warmth. The body warmth of pets can actually help your body prepare for deeper sleep. Not to mention it can be more comfortable on cold winter nights.
5. Deepen your relationship with your pet. Allowing your pet to sleep with you can show him or her that you trust and appreciate them and are welcoming them into your personal space. It can make a big difference in your relationship.

Now that you know the benefits of sleeping with your pet, there are still some boundaries you’ll want to set. For instance, if you don’t want your dog or cat sleeping on your pillow, make that known early on. You should also treat the bed as a sacred space, not somewhere they can hang out all day long.

If you have a pet that’s aggressive or not well-trained, then it might be a good idea to hold off on sharing your bed until you feel more confident in your pet’s behavior.