Psychologists from Lincoln Memorial University have found that pets often worsen the sleep quality of their owners. Research published in the journal CABI Human-Animal Interactions.
The scientists used data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) conducted in 2005-2006.
They found that owning a dog was associated with a greater likelihood of sleep disturbances, and owning a cat increased the likelihood of leg cramps. This resulted in an increased prevalence of drowsiness, sleep deprivation, falling asleep for more than 15 minutes, and sleep deprivation (less than 6 hours) at night among pet owners.
The scientists noted that on the one hand, dogs and cats can provide a sense of security, which in turn can lead to reduced levels of anxiety, stress and depression. On the other hand, pets can disturb their owners’ sleep.
While scientists cannot prove a causal relationship between sleep quality and pet ownership, the study’s findings are consistent with previous studies. The results may have implications for clinical guidelines for the treatment of patients with poor sleep quality.
Source: Gazeta
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