Pet Health

Is sleeping with your pet a good thing or a complete no-no? Animal experts say it’s not exactly an open and shut case.

Jacqueline Boyd, a senior lecturer in Animal Science at Nottingham Trent University, says that sharing your living spaces with a pet is one thing, but sharing beds is a much more personal proposition. 

“While it might be enjoyable and relaxing to share resting time with your pet, it could come with risks to pet and human health, not to mention impacts on sleep hygiene and human relationships too,” she writes.

Sleep – a dog with two heads

And if you’re having insomnia issues, Boyd said the risks may go higher.

“One challenge of sharing your bed with your pet could be disturbed sleep. The movement of sleeping partners — two or four-legged — may lead to reduced sleep efficiency,” she said.

If sleep disturbance affects your well-being, encouraging your pet to sleep elsewhere within the bedroom could also be beneficial. The same applies to our pets, so it may be beneficial for them to have their own sleeping space as well.

However, Boyd says that depending on the person, the pet, and the situation, things could change.

For example, if you have a bed large enough to accommodate everyone, that issue loses some of its steam. 

She also says that another possible positive is that pets can offer companionship, security – and if you get one big and wooly enough – even some warmth.

“More than 80% of dogs examined in studies preferred to be close to people at night, suggesting another mutual benefit,” she noted. “Different species of pets also appear to spend time resting together, so if you have a multi-pet household, all might enjoy shared sleeping.”

Bed bugs

Pets and bugs aren’t exactly strangers and, sometimes, Fido may bring a flea, tick, mite, or lice into your bed and, once there, those parasites tend to wander under the covers in search of fresh flesh to irritate. 

Much of the harm a bed bug can do isn’t that troubling, but there are parasites that can lay eggs and make humans sick and bacteria, viruses, and fungi like antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA that is often fatal. You can even share infections with your pets, too – including COVID-19 – so it’s not all one-sided.

What breeds are the worst in this regard? One of Boyd’s peers – British vet Ben Simpson-Vernon, says that dachshunds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are among the unhealthiest dog breeds.

Allergies? Emotional issues?

“Sharing intimate contact with pets does raise the potential for increasing allergic responses or injury risk,” Boyd said, pointing to minor, unintentional injuries such as scratches.

And if your allergist’s pinpricks uncovered the fact that you might have issues with dust and dander, your pet’s hair could make that worse than you might like. 

Boyd brought up the point that just like we can grow emotionally dependent on our pets for comfort, some pets may also develop behavioral concerns such as separation anxiety as a result of sharing intimate spaces and prolonged contact with their human. 

Here, again, she draws another line in the sand. “Conversely, some owners choose to allow their pet access to sleeping areas to reduce problem behaviors such as door scratching or nighttime vocalizing,” a problem she suggests best handled with consistent training. 

‘Cleaning up’ your act

Boyd suggests that if your answers to all her concerns fall in the good column, do yourself one last favor: keep things clean!

Her bullet points to ensure a clean and safe sleep environment for both you and your pet, are:

Regular bedding changes:

• Everyone: Wash sheets weekly for a clean sleep. Pet owners: Launder bedclothes every 3-4 days to manage pet-related dirt and potential allergens.

Minimizing contamination:

• Pets are furry dirt magnets: Their paws, especially after walks, can harbor bacteria and parasites. Clean paws with pet wipes or a damp cloth upon returning indoors.

Grooming for health and happiness:

• Regular grooming and bathing will not only keep your pet clean and healthy but also strengthen your bond and minimize the spread of potential infections.

• Consult your vet about Antiparasitic treatments. They effectively control internal and external parasites, protecting you, your pet, and other furry friends.

Additional tips:

• Consider using a dedicated pet blanket on your bed.

• Vacuum your mattress regularly to remove pet hair and dust.

• Wash pet toys frequently.

• Maintain good hand hygiene after interacting with your pet and before bed.

“With good hygiene and management, the choice to share your sleep with your pet might just give you both a great night’s sleep,” she concluded.

Just as cold and flu season is ramping up, there’s another sickness pet owners should be aware of. 

A respiratory illness is making its way through dogs across the country, and researchers and veterinary experts remain in the dark about the specifics of the disease. The symptoms are similar to both kennel cough or canine influenza, though pathology reports have been unable to link it to any known respiratory illnesses in dogs. 

Reports from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are linking the origin of the sickness to Oregon, as the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has seen over 200 cases of this illness since August. 

“Based on the epidemiology of the cases reported at this point, the cases appear to share a viral etiology, but common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative,” said Andrea Cantu-Schomus, ODA communications director. 

Dr. Jane Sykes, an infectious disease expert with The Vets, and a professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who focuses on infectious disease, told ConsumerAffairs that there is “no clear evidence yet whether there is more respiratory disease than in previous years or there is a new pathogen circulating.” 

>> Don’t shoulder the load alone. Pet insurance can help cover the burden of expensive vet bills!

What are the symptoms?

According to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, there are several symptoms associated with this respiratory illness. Dog owners should look out for: 

• Coughing

• Sneezing 

• Labored breathing

• Nose or eye discharge

• Lethargy 

• Decreased appetite

According to Dr. Sykes, vets should be treating symptoms per the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Disease (ISCAID) guidelines for acute respiratory disease in dogs. 

This illness is highly contagious and has quickly spread to a dozen states across the country, including Colorado, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon Pennsylvania and Washington.

Currently, the infection is unique to dogs, though no breeds are more likely to become infected than others. This makes it all the more important for dog owners to take the necessary precautions to keep their pets safe and healthy.  

Skip doggie daycare…for now

To help stop the spread of this respiratory infection, and prevent as many dogs as possible from contracting it, pet owners are encouraged to minimize their pet’s interactions with other dogs. 

Sykes shared her best advice with ConsumerAffairs on how to keep pets safe amidst this outbreak: 

• Owners of dogs that are known to come into contact with other dogs, especially those that have contact with other dogs indoors, like in dog daycare or boarding environments, should make sure that their dogs are vaccinated annually for the organisms that we have vaccines for – adenovirus, distemper, Bordetella, parainfluenza, and H3N2 influenza, as well as other important pathogens that can cause outbreaks of disease, like leptospirosis.  

• Dogs need to be vaccinated at least a week in advance of any boarding.

• If boarding or daycare is necessary, owners should choose daycares or boarding facilities that have good hygiene practices, require vaccination at least one week ahead of boarding, and that minimize overcrowding.

• If you’re thinking about purchasing a new dog, such as for Christmas, you should purchase dogs from reputable breeders or from shelters. Any new dog is best kept away from other dogs for two weeks after purchase, should they break with respiratory disease. Potential owners should also choose to obtain new dogs from North America, rather than importing dogs.

• If dogs do develop signs of illness, they should be kept away from other dogs for as long as possible while showing symptoms, definitely no less than two weeks. 

• Pet owners should remember that there are lots of other reasons for cough, including serious conditions like fungal infections and cancer, so if their dog does not get better in a few days, or is lethargic and not eating, it should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

• If an owner suspects contagious respiratory disease because their dog came out of a shelter or boarding environment or had known contact with other dogs that had respiratory disease, they should inform their veterinarian when they call in advance to make the appointment. The veterinary team can then take precautions to prevent transmission.

People and pets have a close bond, a tie that was strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The depth of feeling is so great that 80% of pet owners consider their pets to be family members, according to a study by the American Veterinarian Medical Association.

So it may come as no surprise that when ConsumerAffairs asked pet owners around the country if they would take on debt to pay for needed pet medical treatment, 78% said they would. The survey, conducted by SurveyMonkey, also asked about pet spending habits, from food to grooming.

Here’s what we found:

• 50% of respondents would use a credit card to pay for a pet’s medical crisis.

• Millennials were the most likely to take on debt for their pet.

• 22% of respondents were willing to spend $5,000 or more for a pet emergency.

The numbers break down this way: Almost half (43%) of respondents said yes, they would go into debt for their pets. Another 35% said they would consider it.

While millennials are the most likely to take on “pet debt,” baby boomers and Gen Xers are also attached to their pets and indicated a willingness to finance pet health care.

It’s expensive

Without a good pet health insurance policy, emergency care for a pet can be very expensive. Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, a veterinary medical advisor for Rover, tells us that an ER visit for a simple eye infection would cost up to $200. Other seemingly “routine” treatments start even higher.

At a time when a majority of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck and most emergency expenses cost more than $400, taking your dog or cat to a vet for an injury or illness makes going into debt much more likely.

The ConsumerAffairs survey also found pet owners spend 20% of their pet budgets on health care. The top expense – 69% of the budget – pays for food and treats.

‘Consistently underestimate the cost’

 “I find that pet owners consistently underestimate the cost of veterinary care, especially in unexpected emergency situations,” Greenstein told us.

She said pet owners should have an emergency fund to pay for emergency situations, noting that if bloodwork or X-rays are required, the bill can easily top $1,000.

Having a pet health insurance policy can also help, but policies can vary widely, depending on what they do and do not cover. The ConsumerAffairs Research Team has ranked some of the best policies and companies here.

If there’s any question about how important pet parents take responsibility for their pets, there there shouldn’t be — pet love is at an all-time high. A new survey of 2,000 dog owners confirms that, too, showing that four in five pet “parents” claim their dog’s wellness is every bit as important as their child’s. 

Many of those owners say they’re so in tune with their pet’s feelings that they know when they’re happy, when they want to be petted, and is good to go energy-wise and mood-wise. 

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of pet food subscription company Ollie, the survey found that pet owners are used to their dog’s strange antics, like “trying to keep a neat environment,” “does a twirl when she’s begging for house food” and “sneezes for treats.”

Stressing out when things don’t seem right

Wholehearted pet love expands to concern, too – probably because unexpected pet illnesses can be very costly. Owners pay so much attention to their dog’s behavior, the average respondent said they get worried they’ll lose their dog four times every year.

Some of that starts the moment a pet parent detects something is wrong – 24% said they know their dog is sad when they stop eating, have low energy (23%) or cry or whine (22%).

The survey analysts said that, on average, pups exhibit even stranger “abnormal behavior” five times over a 12-month period. One pet owner said their dog was “constantly licking elbows,” while another said theirs “became lethargic and did not eat for a few days” and a third noticed their dog was “spinning around nonstop.”

“Your dog is uniquely yours; no one knows their quirks the way you do! This puts you, the pet parent, in an incomparable position to quickly identify changes in your pup’s normal behavior,” said Nicole Sumner, senior brand manager at Ollie. “These behavioral nuances could indicate something more serious.”

Sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite

This prompts constant diligence for their pet’s wellness — even when it comes to sleeping. Many respondents said they try to ensure that their dog gets enough rest and do so by giving their dog a potty break before bed (39%), cuddle time before bed (37%) or a sleep supplement (34%). In fact, 35% are just as concerned about getting ready for their pet to go to bed as they are – implementing a bedtime/”lights out” time (69% said by 9pm for most dogs).

Nearly a fourth of the surveyed pet parents said their primary reason Fido gets a good night’s sleep is to make sure the pup has enough rest so they can be fully active the next day – a goal no matter how tired they personally are from their day.

Taking cues from the surveyed pet owners

What can dog owners take away from their fellow pet parents? ConsumerAffairs gleaned these three things from the survey that might come in handy:

Exercise: More than a third of owners also help their pup work up an appetite by exercising before meals (38%).

Meals: Caring for their canine carries over to mealtime where pet parents shared their tricks for getting their dog to eat, like giving them a variety of foods (43%) and having in-between snack times. 

Snacks: Owners see treat time as another way to care for their dog’s well-being by bonding and showing affection (50%), helping them manage stress or anxiety (46%) and boosting their nutrition (48%).

“Every dog is different, and every day contains slight deviations from the structure dogs crave,” Sumner said. “Dogs need a healthy mealtime and exercise routine to feel their best. We support pet parents and make it as easy as possible for them to give their dogs solid foundations for healthy lives.”

Inflation is making everyday expenses more costly and pet care is no exception. Not only are food and grooming costs rising but so are veterinarian bills.

Pet experts say the national average cost for a dog’s routine check-up at the vet can run between $50 to $250. On an annual basis, Americans spend as much as $1,500 on their dogs’ routine wellness check-ups, along with dental care, lab tests and vaccines. With inflation, those costs are likely to move higher.

Pet insurance can limit the financial risk for pet owners, as well as guarantee quality care for their furry family members. Sean Burgess, chief claims officer at Lemonade, a pet insurance provider, says pet treatment costs have risen sharply in the last decade. 

“Treatments for illnesses like cancer and chronic conditions like diabetes can end up costing pet owners tens of thousands of dollars without pet insurance,” Burgess told ConsumerAffairs. “Plus, emergency medical treatments and hospital stays can set pet owners back thousands of dollars in a flash.”

There are lots of options

When shopping for pet insurance, you should know that it’s a lot like health care coverage for people. Different plans cover different things.

For example, some policies cover unexpected vet bills, such as an injury to your pet. Others cover routine health services. Some cover both. Being able to customize the coverage you want usually helps make sure your pet gets expert care while saving you money.

“Lemonade allows you to customize policies by including optional preventative care packages and add-ons, plus, when you apply you can adjust your annual deductible, co-insurance, and annual limit to find the premium price and coverage that works for you,” Burgess said.

For example, Lemonade’s policy add-ons include:

• Vet visit fees

• Physical therapy

• Dental Illness

• End of life & remembrance

• Behavioral conditions

More pets are being insured each year

According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), around 3.45 million pets were insured across the United States and Canada by the end of 2020. Increasing vet bills is likely a significant driver of the growth. 

But Burgess says it’s also indicative of the strong bond between people and their pets, who are often considered a member of the family.

“Pet insurance gives you the peace of mind that you’ll have coverage when big-ticket vet bills come up, so you aren’t left making decisions based on cost when it comes to your pet’s care,” he said. “As opposed to a dedicated pet savings account, pet insurance offsets the costs so you aren’t left draining your savings on veterinary care, so you can save towards other things that matter.”

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team has done a deep dive into pet insurance to help you pick the right coverage. Check out our findings here.

A new study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University explored how ignoring pet food handling guidelines may pose health risks to consumers and their pets. 

According to the findings, many dog owners are unaware of important guidelines regarding handling dog food. They explained that dog food bowls are a breeding ground for many kinds of bacteria and that it’s important for consumers to keep things clean to avoid contamination. 

“Most pet owners are unaware that pet food bowls can be a hidden source of bacteria in the household,” the researchers wrote. “Knowing how to mitigate this risk and practice proper pet food storage and hygiene may make for a happier, healthier household.” 

Avoiding health risks

The researchers divided the study into two parts to better understand consumers’ knowledge of FDA guidelines for handling pet food and the potential health risks for both dog owners and their pets when these guidelines fall by the wayside. 

The first part of the study included a survey of nearly 420 dog owners. The researchers asked respondents if they were aware of the FDA’s pet food handling guidelines and if they followed them. It was overwhelmingly clear that the dog owners were unaware of the FDA guidelines; just five percent of the group reported knowing about the precautions to take when feeding their pets. Additionally, just one-third of the survey respondents said they washed their hands before and after feeding their pets. 

To understand the health risks associated with ignoring these guidelines, the researchers tested nearly 70 dog bowls for different kinds of bacteria. They then had the dog owners handle their pet’s food in a variety of different ways for one week. When the owners followed the FDA guidelines, the dog bowls were much less likely to be contaminated with any kind of bacteria. 

Following the FDA guidelines

While the team plans to do more work in this area to better understand the health risks for dog owners and their pets, they hope these findings encourage consumers to follow the FDA’s guidelines for handling pet food. 

Some of their tips include: 

• Washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before and after feeding and any snacks.

• Washing food bowls and utensils with soap and hot water after each use.

• Using clean utensils to scoop pet food for each use.

• Throwing out old pet food in a safe way.

Consumers can view all of the FDA’s safety tips by visiting the agency’s website here.