In the UK alone, over a third (34%) of the population own at least one dog*. It’s no secret that dogs can be the perfect companions and can offer so much love and reassurance to their owner, so much so that many Brits are spending every possible moment with their beloved pooches.
Leading distributors of life insurance and critical illness cover, Beagle Street, has conducted research** to reveal how many Brits share a bed with their dog, as well as taking a deep dive into the reasons why.
Almost half of Brits share a bed with their dog
Beagle Street’s survey revealed that almost half of UK dog owners (48%) go to sleep at night with their dog in the bed. 22% of those sleep on their own with their pooch, whereas 17% manage to find the space to share their bed with not only their dog but their partner too! The remaining 9% said that their dog sleeps in the bed with a family member.
The study highlighted that it was those between the ages of 25 and 34 (41%) who are choosing to sleep with their canine companions compared to any other age bracket.
Interestingly, over a quarter (26%) of over 55’s said they prefer to sleep on their own with their dog, whilst only 10% said they sleep with their dog and their partner in the bed.
It was also revealed that women (41%) are more likely to share a bed with their dog compared to men (37%).
The reason Brits are sleeping alongside their dogs:
54% said they want their dog to be comfortable
51% said they like their dog being close
35% said it reduces stress
33% said it makes them feel safe
33% said their dog keeps them warm
While comfort and safety were both significant reasons why Brits are choosing to sleep next to their dog, the study also revealed that improving mental wellbeing (28%) and easing loneliness (22%) were also important factors.
Over a third of 16- 24-year-olds (35%) and 25-34-year-olds (36%) said that they sleep with their dog because it reduces stress and over a quarter of those aged 35 to 44 said that it improves their mental health.
One in five (20%) of those over 55 said they sleep with their dog because it makes them feel less lonely, emphasising how dogs can be the perfect companion for those looking for some company.
