Pets can be considered a member of the family. But, as much as you love them, it might be time to think about your own health and start practicing "tough-love". If you are having a difficult time sleeping at night, or find yourself crabby and still tired when the alarm goes off in the morning, it might be time to reclaim your bedroom and kick that four-legged family member out the door.

According to a study done by the Mayo Clinic, 18% of pet owners feel that their pet is disturbing their sleep. But experts are quick to point out that the actual number is probably even higher than 18%. Lois Krahn, MD, professor of psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorder Center says that often times, people don't want to admit that Fido or Fluffy is actually disturbing their sleep.

I think many people don’t want to admit that their cat or dog interrupts their sleep, because they’re intensely loyal to their animals. But putting up with poor sleep just because you love your pet can negatively affect things like your mood, memory and, in extreme cases, even your heart.

Pet owners can frequently experience "mini wake-ups" throughout the night, often caused by restless pets that toss, turn, lick and scratch in bed. These "mini wake-ups" disrupt a person's sleep patterns, making you feel tired the next day.

The solution to this problem begins with pet-owners showing tough-love. Even though pet-owners may be reluctant to kick their pets out of their bedroom at night because they may feel they are being disloyal to them, veterinary behaviorists believe that if you do it the right way, the pets probably won't even mind.

Though it might take a couple days, the first step is re-training your pet. For dogs, experts suggest purchasing their own "doggie bed" and rewarding them with treats when he rests in it during the day. If your pooch still insists on trying to come to bed with you, place a gate in front of the door with his doggie bed next to it so Fido can still see in. As for cats, try to provide as many soft-sleeping options as you can, so your nice warm bed won't be their first choice.

Source: Yahoo Health

 

 

More From KIKN-FM / Kickin' Country 99.1/100.5