As the September warmth gives way to cooler days, it seems autumn has truly arrived, ushering in a time for winter clothes and snug sleepwear.
Some might even welcome their pets under the duvet on chillier nights, a practice less appealing during the heat of summer. However, a doctor warns against letting your dog snuggle up with you in bed due to potential health risks.
Experts point out that pet hairs can trigger allergic reactions, while animal dander those tiny skin flakes shed by any warm-blooded creature with fur or feathers might lead to breathing difficulties if breathed in, reports the Mirror.
RSVP Live received advice from Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, who said, “Pet dander is a common cause of allergy in children and adults. Encountering pet dander can cause allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, hives and asthma symptoms. When you breathe the animal dander particles into your lungs, your body’s immune cells recognise the dog or cat antigen as a foreign substance posing a threat to your health.”
They continued: “As a result, an inflammatory reaction is initiated, and an antibody called Ig E is released. Cells called mast cells release histamine, which causes smooth muscle contraction, causing the airways to constrict, meaning you cannot get so much air into the lungs.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Histamine also causes an increase in bronchial secretions and swelling. This is why pet-induced asthma gives you all those unpleasant asthma symptoms – cough, wheeze and feel chest tightness and shortness of breath.”
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Additionally, Happy Beds experts have highlighted that having pets in bed can pose further risks if the animals carry fleas, as these parasites might bite you instead. Shockingly, almost one in four (23 percent) of dogs may have fleas, indicating the importance of regular checks and flea treatment for your pets.
Furthermore, there’s alarming news that 86 percent of dogs and 32 percent of cats harbour Enterobacteriaceae bacteria including salmonella, E. coli, and shigella linked to human gastroenteritis.
These bacteria are more likely to be transmitted through close contact, like cuddling with pets in bed. The best preventive measure? Keep your pets out of your sleep space altogether.
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