As is often the case with all of us, my agenda for today changed after a phone call that got my attention. A reporter for CNN called, and asked what I thought about an article that just came out in Emerging Infectious Diseases (the journal of the Center for Disease Control). Titled “Zoonoses in the Bedroom,” the article by B.B. Chomel and B. Sun provides a list of anecdotes and a few studies that link sleeping with pet dogs and cats with serious diseases. The same connection is made with kissing pets, and being licked by them. They conclude by saying that “Our review suggests that persons, especially young children or immunocompromised persons, should be discouraged from sharing their bed with their pets or regularly kissing their pets. Any area licked by a pet, especially for young children or immunocompromised persons or an open wound, should be immediately washed with soap and water.”
Before I write any more, I should mention that a 100 pound dog just finished slathering my face with her saliva as her and her owner left the office for their weekend at home together. When I return home, I will let Willie kiss my face, will kiss him back repeatedly, and will later lay down on the rug with him, cuddling like spoons, while Jim and I watch the next installment of Castle.
But I can be objective about this issue, and I’m addressing it here today because I think it’s an important one. The press is all over this new study from the CDC, (see an article in the Chicago Tribune) and I’m concerned that some parents and pet owners will over react. Most of the cases mentioned are simply stories of people who became ill and who also were licked by or who slept with their pets. That’s called a correlation, not proof of a cause. And some of the cases mentioned are, uh, a tad out of the range of common sense, like the child who came down with the plague after sleeping with a flea-infested cat in the middle of an outbreak of bubonic plague in New Mexico in 1974. Perhaps the headline should read: “Don’t sleep with a flea-infested cat in the middle of an outbreak of bubonic plague! Especially if you live in New Mexico and it’s still 1974!”
Overall, a careful reading of the study suggests that it is heavy on anecdote and a bit light on rigorous research. For example: “In 1985, a case of meningitis caused by P. multiocida in a 60-year old housewife living in the United Kingdom was reported. She admitted to regularly kissing the family dog.” Did she also admit to kissing the family husband? The family children? The gardener? (No wait, sorry, that’s a different issue.) However, there are studies in the article that do suggest that in some cases, admittedly rare, there is a link between disease and close contact with pets. it is important for pet lovers to acknowledge that there can be risks associated with living with, and loving, our companion animals.
But there is an important point to be made here, that I stressed when I spoke with a woman named Madison Parks who will be writing an article on CNN.com sometime today. And that is that that ALL social interactions with ALL animals include a host of costs and benefits. Those risks need to be understood, and then we each need to find a way to create the best balance we can, depending upon our health and our own personal needs. Dogs and cats, birds, horses, pet rats, etc etc, can bite, can cause injuries indirectly (by tripping, for example), can create health problems related to allergies (see me raising my hand here), and act as vectors for pathogens that can cause serious health problems. Companion animals, on the other hand, have been shown in rigorous studies to boost our immune system, decrease allergies in children raised with a pet in the household, increase oxytocin levels which leads to decreased heart rates, blood pressure and levels of cortisol in the body. Those physiological changes are not minor; they can act to increase health and life span in a significant way.
But as I said earlier, ALL social interactions come with risks. If I wanted to be safer, I would get rid of my dog, cat and sheep, kick Jim out of bed and live in a sterile bubble, isolated from allergens and viral particles. But then, I’d either go crazy or shoot myself, so that doesn’t really sound so safe after all. Yes, of course, those especially whose health is compromised need to be especially careful about social interactions with their pets, but didn’t we already know that? We also need to be careful about stairs, bedroom slippers (a common cause of injury), falling off ladders, and, in my case yesterday, slamming my arthritic wrist into the corner of a table while enthusiastically illustrating to my UW class the flexibility of the human shoulder joint. I’m a tad concerned that the article, and the press about it, will cause healthy people to worry needlessly, and worse, will cause some parents to get rid of a beloved pet and take it to a shelter while their child’s heart is broken.
Okay, you know I’m going to ask: do you sleep with, cuddle with your dog? Do you let him/her kiss you?
Madison Magazine: Here’s the good news. Madison Magazine just came out with a feature story on me and … most importantly, I do NOT have to die of shame about the photo on the cover. Remember when I mentioned that I’d just finished a studio photo shoot and how uncomfortable I am in that context? Well, the photo is okay… of course I don’t look like I want to (who ever does?) but at least I am not cringing and hey, Willie looks great! Here’s the article and cover. The article is lovely, beautifully written, I am grateful to them for the time and attention. The only thing I’d change if I could is that Jim is never mentioned and he’s such an important part of my life. (Not to mention Willie’s. Willie worships the ground Jim walks on. I do too, but don’t ever tell him.) But I can mention Jim when I do a live web chat for Madison Magazine on February 2nd. Send in your questions before then to Katie Vaughn at kvaughn@madisonmagazine.com and I’ll get to as many as I can.
And here’s a photo of me and my two-legged guy. I call him and Willie “my guys” and “da boys” and if the two of them could ever get out of the house to play pool together, I expect they would. This is me and Jim in New Zealand, looking like cooked lobsters after being in the sun all day.
Here’s one of the photos from the Madison magazine article, taken from the web so it’s not as crisp as it should be, but I couldn’t resist. It was taken by professional photographer, Dan Bishop, who was an absolute joy to work with. He’d taken a class at Dog’s Best Friend and was unrelentingly thoughtful and courteous to Willie. I love the simplicity and clean look in this shot.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: It was 16 below this morning at 7 am when I thought to look at the thermometer. Temperature is such a relative thing: that’s cold for here, but I know that’s not news in Fairbanks, Alaska. Little white guy seemed fine, he wasn’t shivering at all, but he was a happy boy to get his grain. We won’t be doing much outside this weekend beside exercising Willie and doing the chores. I’ve a bit of a cold and the weather is a tad below my comfort zone. But Jim and I going to play with our thousands of photographs. We both just got Mac’s version of PhotoShop, Aperature. Heaven help us. I only have over 7,500 photos to organize, and Jim has as many or more. Oh my.
Kat says
Thank you for taking such a thoughtful and common sense approach to the risks and benefits of living with pets. Life comes with risk. I get so very tired of the hoopla that articles like the one you’re responding to generate. Sure I might be exposing my family to a greater possibility of them contracting some illnesses by allowing them to live with two cats and a dog but I’m also exposing them to a host of benefits. At my house the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Ranger, the dog, sleeps outside by his choice but he gets lots of cuddles and no one worries about it when he licks them. Katzenjammer, the senior cat, used to sleep with my husband and me but got banished when he stopped being a thoughtful sleeping companion. It’s one thing when the cat claims a space on the bed, it is quite another when the cat demands two-thirds of a king size bed and insists that his two thirds come out of the center. Currently, he sleeps in a large dog crate at night and curled up next to a person during the day. Katzenjammer is 16 and his elimination habits need some monitoring so confining him to a relatively small space at night is our best option. Meowzart, the junior cat, sleeps with one or the other of the children. They like to use him as an excuse for not getting out of bed when called–“I was going to get up but I didn’t want to disturb Meowzart.”
Suzan says
Lovely magazine cover! BTW, my husband and I share our bed with our two Maltese dogs every night, and we’re all in good health. Where else would they sleep? 🙂
Marji says
Our entire existence is fraught with risk the moment we take that first breath (heck, before we even pop out). Risk management is really just sensible thinking and acting. It does not help with these types of articles published.
I am daily mauled with affection. Both dogs sleep on the bed…one often right next to my head. They kiss me as well. Sometimes to my chagrin, the older dog Mina sneaks her tongue into my mouth. She is pleased as punch, while I am horrified. But I cannot imagine denying her the challenge.
Laura Anne Welch says
Dogs who run downstairs behind you and clip you off at the knees so that you fall PAST the entire set of stairs and land on your bottom are dangerous…Or, is it you who are dangerous, who are so clueless that you don’t teach your dog to go calmly beside or in front of you down the stairs?*
At home, both dogs sleep next to our bed, occasionally wandering back to the dog beds in the family room. My older dog sleeps with me at the foot of the bed when I travel and am in a motel. My Australian Shepherd never sleeps in my bed, because she would spend the entire night pawing me to get me to pet her!
*Of course, I would NEVER have done this. I have this bridge to sell you. It’s in Brooklyn…..
Sharon says
I sleep and cuddle with my dog. I prefer not to kiss, but cannot always duck fast enough. Since you mention cuddling, I feel obliged to plug one of my favourite youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHXBL6bzAR4 , which advocates the use of cuddling as a “disciplinary” measure.
Funder says
Of course I let my dog sleep in the bed (she snores) and kiss me! I do wash my face right after, because I’m allergic to her, but we’re both still happy about it. I think on the whole, the immune-boosting effects of being exposed to animal slobber outweigh the risks.
Love the pic of you and Willie in the snow.
Jessica says
I dunno, I haven’t been able to find the actual study through our University subscriptions, but I can name off the top of my head 10 things that immunocompromised people will get from PEOPLE, much less their pets, and people don’t necessarily provide the same health benefits 🙂 . Especially when you consider things like pertussis and MRSA where people can have mild cases or simply be carriers. But I also choose to not worry about kids playing outside, eating dirt, and doing things that might have germs involved. I just hope that the media hype doesn’t give people a new reason to give their pets up to the shelter.
That said, my Pyr is not very kissy, but she does sleep on our bed (but not while we’re in it — her choice). She does get lots of petting and physical interaction and I do get drooled on quite a bit. Our cat sleeps on our bed, on the couch, and on us… and we also use “being cat furniture” as an excuse to not get up.
Karen says
Well, I guess I am doomed because I kiss my dogs, let them kiss my face and I sleep with 3 dogs. And I would not have it any other way!!!!! I do, however, constantly wash my face and hands.
Crystal says
Yes. I sleep with my dog. And two cats. And the husband. I also let them all kiss me. Any one of them could make me sick, but I don’t care- I love them all.
Nicola says
I totally agree – having a dog or cat is a risk – but life is a risk and to me the benefits far outweigh the (few) disadvantages.
This Christmas I took my little dog in to see my aunt who is bed ridden in a nursing home – the nursing home was delighted to have her visit – no problems or questions. I might add she isn’t registered with any organisation as a visiting dog – just a family pet. It was refreshing to see the common sense attitude of the nursing home, and the staff themselves were welcoming. But no, I didn’t let her kiss my aunt, and none of the staff actually touched her – a middle of the road approach!
My dogs regularly kiss me, and while I occasionally wash my face (is slobber good for the skin?) I have no health concerns. And yes, the girls (dogs) sleep with me too – the boy doesn’t, but that is his choice or rather the girls decision that he isn’t allowed on the bed!
Karen Harmin says
I have slept, cuddled and kissed all my dogs, and I’ll do the same when the new one arrives in March. I just don’t see the risk as being any greater than contact with other humans, and in fact is probably not nearly as great. I just got a nifty case of pneumonia from my mother, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop hugging her!
trisha says
Sharon: The cat video you referred us to is the best laugh I’ve had all week! Thanks more than I can say. 🙂
Jenny says
Excellent response to an article that can spark a lot of emotion in pet lovers. My quote would not have been nearly as kind (good thing no one is asking for it!). Skye is a typical pit bull in that she wants to be as close to me as physically possible when she’s sleeping. We spoon while watching all our favorite shows (Castle and Bones), and she sleeps plastered to my side. She is also an over enthusiastic kisser- if she can reach skin, she’ll lick it.
Parker is a more reserved dog, so when he does want a snuggle or a kiss I’m all over it. I also accept kisses from my client’s dogs, and I couldn’t even begin to guess what they had in their mouths that day. I certainly hope that the ramifications of this article won’t be too severe. Like candy, dog’s do a whole lot more for our well being than they take away from our health.
http://friendsagaink9.blogspot.com/
Ellen Pepin says
I really liked the magazine article and your post. I have slept with, kissed and have been licked by dogs for the last 60 years. Even though I have a lot of medical problems, I can say that they have nothing to do with my dogs. I have a Collie now and all that hair and dander has not caused any problems. If you want to talk about picking up germs think about using public restrooms, wandering around the mall, and being in the hospital. For the last four years, I have avoided the mall from before Thanksgiving until after the middle of January. In those four years, I have not gotten the flu despite the fact that I am constantly around my two dogs. My Shepherd/Rottweiler mix frequently licks me in the face. However, if I’m going to eat or touch my mouth, I always wash my hands. Even if I didn’t have the dogs, I would do that.
My soul mate of a dog always slept with me, especially in the winter. I wish my Collie would do that, but so far she is not comfortable doing so. Our mix does sleep with me sometimes.
Pam says
Great pic of you and Willie!!
Our BC always starts out on the bed but leaves at some point to sleep on the floor. She’s not much of a kisser but more of a face snuffler so there’s some germ exchange going on every day. Our Siamese is a constant kisser/patter of faces and sleeps under the covers. The 2 yr old extreme energy ACD has always been in a crate beside the bed..I never allowed him to be loose at night because I was sure not much sleep would actually happen. When hubby went away for a few days I decided to see what would happen if Kash ‘slept’ with me. First night was awful….puntuated with ACD dancing on my head several times
1130….squeekkkkkkk….rule 1….no squeeky toys in bed
0130…Mooooommmmm…the cat came in
0245…..Mommmmmm..a squirrel ran along the fence
0310….Mommmmmm…here’s my ball..wanna play????
0420…Mommmmmmm…some guy just put something on the porch
0445…awwww Mommmm do we hafta get up…I’m tired
It has gotten progressively better and he’s become surprisingly well mannered to sleep with.
Would it be safer/cleaner, much less hassle to be without animals?….definitely
Would I want to live that way?…..not a chance!!!!
In my work I see a lot of immuno-compromised and palliative people. We would never think of separating them from their beloved pets. One of the most beautiful and goose-pimple inducing things I ever saw was when I went to care for a lady who was mere hours away from passing. I walked into her bedroom and there were her 6 cats and 1 dog all on the bed and all touching her in some way. The daughter told me that for the last three days the pets had left the room for only minutes at a time and never all at once. It still gives me shivers when I think about it.
Ravana says
Yes, I sleep with my dog, and he kisses me and I kiss him on the top of the head and on the leather of his nose. I do think I caught something from him when he was about a year old. He had a respiratory infection with fever which caused him to cough and drool and was extra snuggly because of it. Four days later I had a respiratory infection with fever that caused me to cough and drool. Never even considered stopping sleeping with him though. He did almost bite my nose once when he had a nightmare and rolled over and snapped in his sleep, luckily I woke up about 3 seconds before the snap and was able to dodge.
Heidi Meinzer says
Wonderful photo of you and Will! And yes, I snuggle, cuddle, sleep and kiss my doggies!
Faith says
My dogs sleep on the bed, are allowed on the living room furniture, and do love to give kisses. One of my dogs regularly cleans the face of my 2-year-old daughter.
I think in general we are an overly germophobic society, and we seem to be losing most fights we pick with them (think MRSA and c. diff. infections and their prevalence and virulence now). Cleanliness is not sterility! Studies now show that overcleanliness is harmful to our immune systems because they don’t get a chance to develop. In a pathology or immunology class in med school, a study was presented of rats. There were two control groups: lab rats and sewer rats. Guess which group had more robust immune systems? If you said sewer rats, you are correct. I’m certainly not advocating for folks to live in squalid conditions, but rather pointing out that part of strengthening our immune system is exposing ourselves to those things that may make us ill. As Kat and Marji say, it’s a matter ofrisk management, weighing the risks and benefits! (And by the way Kat, I love the name Katzenjammer – too funny!)
Marcy says
I often kiss my dogs and let them kiss me. I also have a cat who loves to wash my face. I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten sick from them, but I do know I gave one of my dogs Strep throat once:-(.
Robin says
I’ve had a dog in my bed for years so I must be going to kick the bucket any day now, lol. I not only get kisses from my dogs but from shelter dogs. I wonder why I am not dead already…
Claire says
Oh, I am so glad you wrote this post. Correlation does not equal causation – ahh!! As a psychology grad student, this has been drilled into my head :). I am on the biased side as well though, my dog sleeps with me every night, cuddles with me whenever possible, and there is no way I am changing that!
ABandMM says
My girl “Abby No Love” prefers NOT to be cuddled and she doesn’t do kisses. Maybe she is afraid of catching something from me? Or is it just her aloof hound nature?
I’m probably one of the few people who puts up a baby gate to keep my dog IN the bedroom, and usually only to wake up and find her sleeping on a chair (her “throne”) or on the floor. She is a very good girl, but definitely very reserved in how she shows affection. My first dog Morgan was very much a cuddler and a kisser. When my alarm would go off in the morning she would snuggle right against my chest making it very hard to get up. Needless to say, I hit the snooze button a lot.
I grew up with dogs sleeping in our beds and getting kisses all the time. My parents, siblings and I are all still alive and kicking. I am very interested in reading the original article.
Erin says
Not only do I let my own two dogs kiss my face and sleep in my bed, I am delighted when other dogs give me kisses too! I am ‘favourite auntie’ to a Vizsla because I let him knock me over and wash my face while I giggle uncontrollably.
Sarah says
Well, I’m a person who believes that our culture tends to be way too germophobic, and the obsessive attempts to avoid ever being exposed to any germ places people more at risk due to flabby, underexercised immune systems than they would be from most of the things they are avoiding. Of course, there are reasonable precautions that immuno-compromised people should take.
My 11-month-old puppy sleeps in a crate, because I don’t trust his naughty self unattended yet. He is pretty relentless in his application of dog spit to human face, though, and spends a fair bit of his time in my lap (where he barely fits). My 2 adult bitches sleep in the bed with me. Frequently under the covers. If they aren’t quick enough to join me on a cold night, I call them, they make great hot water bottles. (conveniently self-applying hot water bottles that will curl up by my belly if I’m having cramps. I don’t know how they know.)
Not only do I let them all kiss me, I actively solicit it, and from other people’s dogs as well. And I kiss them. I have pretty much slept with, kissed, and been kissed by cats & dogs my whole life, and it hasn’t made me sick yet.
Susan Mann says
I have one dog I have to watch out for cause he frenches, and all my dogs kiss my face and spend time on the bed with me, though its usually Arie sleeping the night through up there. Although I currently have a bad cold, that is unusual for me, I’m one of the healthiest people I know (and work in a hospital Emergency Department, so exposed to everything.)
I expected better of the CDC! Someone at work mentioned that article to me, and my reaction was the same as yours- the health benefits way outweigh the risks. Wonder if the author got the idea from the articles about therapy dogs and raw food!
Cindy says
Thanks for mentioning Fairbanks, where it’s just warmed up to 17 below today and we’re all grateful.
And we are a dog-loving town. I’ve never heard of a dog musher getting sick from dogs!
Frances says
Yes, there are diseases you can share with animals (I swear I once caught Kennel Cough – or my dog caught my cold – one or the other), but they pale into insignificance in comparison with the ones you can catch from humans, as others have said. If having pets as a child helps to prime the immune system to cope with later challenges, the benefits must enormously outweigh the tiny risk. My cats and dogs sleep on my bed – and did so even while I was going through chemotherapy. I had some unpleasant infections, etc, but they were caught from other people – and largely from other people while visiting hospitals! I discourage my animals from licking my face, because I don’t like it, and I encourage children to wash their hands after playing with the animals, as a matter of basic hygiene, but that is as far as it goes.
J. says
We (Europeans) tend to characterize studies like that as “typically American”… I hope the media here don’t pick it up.
Of course my dog sleeps on my bed, and licks my face. She’s been sick on the carpet on at least one occasion, and has proudly brought a partly decomposed mouse into the house. So have all the other dogs I’ve shared my life with. I’ve raised my kids in a house sometimes full of not-potty-trained puppies. I’ve once rescued a puppy with ticks, fleas, mange, infected ears and every other unpleasant affliction you can think of (she went on to be a familymember for sixteen years).
As my grandmother (who’s house was always full of animals) used to say: “Only dirty people keep animals” :).
So be it. We’re all still alive and kicking!
(Eh… for the record: I do keep my house clean and tidy :). Just don’t come visiting when there’s just been one of those incidents!).
J. says
Forgot to mention: lovely photos!
Wild Dingo says
Oh Geeze, Media sensationalism at its best. No sense of balance in reporters seeking a heavy reader reaction or advertising revenue. This reminds me of the controversial subject of raw diet and therapy dogs created by Delta Society’s choice to exclued raw diet fed dogs from their program. People want absolutes, guarantees, and there just isn’t any of that in life. They don’t want to accept responsiblity to take the time to make thoughtful, intelligent decsions while balancing it with choices that make us happy.
To answer your question: I don’t sleep with my dogs but that’s PURELY out of a question of being comfortable in my bed, not due to germs. I practice yoga daily and at the end of my practice, both my dogs (who are in the room with me), walk over to me in my resting pose and slather me with kisses on my face. It’s the best way to end my practice. I’m slatered with kisses any time of day, anytime i want them and when I come home. I also feed raw.
But here’s the kicker. do i go wash my face every two seconds or whenever they kiss me? No. But I do wash my hands anytime i handle food and if i’ve just finished petting them.
I cuddle with them all the time. it would be a shame to suddenly grow into a panicked society who no longer could let dogs express themselves with a kiss now and then or a cuddle.
Meg Boscov says
Just stumbled out of bed with my three cuddly, kissy dogs. I had to kick my husband out of bed last night, cause he has the sniffles. But kick the dogs out…forget about it! Being the daredevil that I am, I’ve even trained my dogs to kiss me on the lips on cue.
America is already so germ phobic. I hope this article doesn’t cause unnecessary alarm. If only I had stock in Purell!
CJ :) says
Oh. Good. Boogers.
I have been licked in the face, hands, feet, legs, and arms by dogs, cats, horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc…. for 45years. I currently share my bed with one husband and four cocker spaniels. I cart a Maine Coon around with me whenever I’m in the kitchen (he wraps himself around my neck and shoulders – it’s a grand balancing act that can sometimes have disastrous results down my back). My kids have been exposed to animals all their lives.
Amazing. No one is dead.
I can see someone who is immunocompromised, OK. An animal that is ill? OK. Normal, healthy people and animals? Please. The benefits far outweigh the risks.
Amanda & the Mutts says
I kiss and cuddle and share a bed (and quite often food – though I usually eat from one end and let them eat from the other) with my dogs. And then, on top of that *gasp* my dogs are raw fed. I’m about as far from a germaphobe as one can be.
And ya know what? I haven’t been sick in a good 2 years. I first truly noticed it last fall semester when I didn’t get sick – I always got sick at the beginning of fall semester. Then this past fall… nothing. I’m honestly not even sure how long it’s been (not exactly something you document normally). I thought for sure I was in for it this past weekend when I flew to Seattle last weekend… still nothing.
Last winter, 3 of my germaphobe relatives (all from different homes) were terribly sick and developed pneumonia. I’m still building a tally for this winter.
Certainly, I’m no well documented science experiment, but I simply can’t help but laugh when people try to tell me about how I’m at risk because of all my pets, etc.
em says
Wow, it looks like that’s quite a consensus! Otis has free range of the furniture and often naps with us, though he doesn’t sleep with us at night (our choice) because he is ginormous and our bed isn’t. He’s an occasional licker, but he mostly targets elbows and feet (eeewww! I think he does it just to make me squeak). A few of our dogpark friends are much more forward in their habits (including a frenching bandit of a golden retriever). Never gotten sick from it. I do kiss the top of Otis’ head on occasion, as does my manly man husband, the spectacle of which caught me so off guard the first time I saw it that I actually blurted out, “did you just kiss the dog?!” My husband looked abashed for a moment, then said, “Yes. I love him.” That just about sums it up for me.
I wash my hands before eating, but chalk me up as yet another miracle of science who lives with a raw-fed dog and two cats (one a serious snuggler) and has nevertheless dodged the ravages of bubonic plague.
Christine says
Great photos of you and Willie!!
We sleep with our dogs and, especially during tick season, I do worry about the health implications. That said, our dogs are clean and well-cared for and having them nearby calms me so much that I believe the benefits outweigh the possible “costs” (potential disease).
My husband works in construction and has, at times, worked in hospitals. I worry far more about him bringing home some resistent pathogen on his clothing or shoes (or person!!) than my dogs. As you said very well, we can’t live in a bubble though! All we can do is eat healthfully, exercise and be happy – that’s the best way to fend of potential disease from our pets or other vectors.
Susan S. says
I broke my right arm last night by tripping over a big snow-covered branch with my hands in my coat pockets ( – 11
Barb says
Trish, you and I are about the same age, and let me tell you, honey, you look marvelous!!
Do my dogs kiss me and sleep with me? Of course, of course, of course. My girl does have that nasty habit of eating her brother’s leavings, so I’m a bit careful about when and where I kiss her or allow her to kiss me. But I still kiss and am kissed! Love it!
Carolyn in Belize says
Oh yes, our little dog sleeps with us. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I wash the bedspread regularly, bathe her every couple of weeks, wash my hands frequently. We’re all healthy and that’s saying something in the tropics where everything GROWS so well, including mold, mildew, fungus and creepy crawlies of all persuasions.
Alexandra says
This study sounds like just another chapter in our national obsession with germs. There are people out there who buy antibiotic this and that and completely freak out if you eat something that fell on a clean floor for a few seconds. Plenty of things in life are dangerous, you just have to use common sense for your particular situation and health status (allergies, immunocompromised, etc.)
As I type this, my cat is sitting in my lap. When I was undergoing cancer treatment about 10 years ago, my husband took care of cleaning the cat litter, but I still let the cat sleep in the bed and sit on my lap, as I found her presence VERY soothing (we didn’t have the dogs yet). I grew up with cats, and they always slept in the bed. I had horses through the 4-H club, and I kissed them on the nose and put my face against theirs all the time. My dogs are allowed to sleep in the bed, although it’s only Copper that really likes to snuggle. Izzy doesn’t like to be fawned over, so I don’t kiss her much. I kiss Copper all the time, and he licks my face and hands all the time. He’s fed a raw diet, too. Miraculously, I haven’t died of bubonic plague, haha.
AnneJ says
I’ve gotten a lot more diseases from my kids (dozens of colds at least) than my dogs (none). The dogs don’t sleep on the bed, but they do cuddle a lot on the couch, and occasionally the bed in the morning, and they lick me and I kiss their noses. They’re so cute, how can you help it?
Kat says
Another thought. 17 years ago when my daughter was a baby we had her sleeping in our bed–two adults, one infant, one cat together. When we first brought her home we expected she’d sleep in her bassinet by our bed but by the end of the first week I was so exhausted I actually slept through her crying; husband brought her over and woke me up to tell me she was hungry. When she was done nursing he offered to take her back to her space and I snarled something about what’s the point she’ll only start crying again in a couple of minutes. Being the wise man that he is he decided not to try to hold rational discourse with a sleep deprived new mom and just left the baby where she was. She slept for four glorious hours, woke, nursed and slept for another four wonderful hours. Needless to say that’s all the time it took to acquire the habit of sleeping with her. It was about a month later that the CDC came out with their recommendations that you shouldn’t sleep with your infant because a few infants had been smothered by parents rolling on them. What I didn’t see in that study or in the one on dogs is the figures for a comparison group. How many infants sleeping alone in their cribs die every year vs how many that sleep in their parent’s bed? How many people who do not have pets or interact with animals on a regular basis come down with the diseases the CDC says these people got from their dogs? I expect that if such a comparison were provided we’d find that some people get sick after sleeping with and kissing their dogs but many more people get the same diseases from other sources.
Jana says
I both kiss my dog and sleep with her. I honestly think there are a lot worse things that can cause illness….and even if there is a proven .000001% chance of a dog’s saliva causing harm, the benefit of relationships with pets far outweighs it.
Liz says
My dogs sleep in the bed with us, taking it in turns to spoon or lie at our feet and I believe the benefits far outweigh the risks. Besides the health benefits our lil furry stress relievers give us, I also feel safer with them in the house, knowing that if anyone ever tries to break in, in the middle of the night, they’ll be our alarm system and first line of defense (before running and hiding behind us heh).
We kiss the dogs and they kiss us back. Our pit mix is slightly more forceful about giving us kisses (in face I was just interrupted by her for a quick snuggle and kiss break) but the lab also likes to lick, feet, hands, faces when he feels like it.
All I can say about the media attention this CDC article is getting, is that it must be a slow news week!
Love the pics!
Dee says
We have a king-size bed so hubby and I can fit with our two dogs and cat. We chose our rescue dogs because they are so cuddly and kissy.
I broke my leg two weeks ago while walking my dogs (fell on black ice) and had to have surgery that night to repair the fractures. Being on post-surgical bed rest since, my dogs have rarely left my side. My English Cocker sleeps at my feet or beside my bum leg with her head across my splint. My mini Aussie sleeps on my chest or tucked under my arm.
My mini Aussie is a kiss machine and will cover any exposed skin with kisses. She also eats poop given the opportunity. When I am mobile, I clean up poop immediately. Hubby is not so fastidious, so she’s gotten a few poopsicles. (He is a little busy taking care of me.) I haven’t let her kiss my face and I do wash my hands often.
When I’ve got two dogs cuddled up with me snoring away, all is good with the world.
Kate S. says
Yep. Two of them sleep with us; or, should I say we sleep with them since they get most of the bed?! All three of them give kisses, get kisses and love to cuddle. One of them has particularly good aim–I can’t even count the number of times she’s licked inside our noses, ears, or mouths. Funny thing about that article and our personal experiences–we never get sick. The last time my husband or I was sick was a minor head cold two-years ago and we certainly haven’t experienced anything more major. Scientific miracle maybe? I think I’ll be able to confidently express just how very clean my dogs are to all of my guests from now on; after all, if they weren’t, we’d surely be dead by now, right?
SAB says
Our two cocker spaniels sleep with us every night. We have a five month old son and he has been licked probably every day since he came home at two days old. While an existence without the dogs may be cleaner, it isn’t a life we want to lead. We will take our chances with the dog germs because the rewards are so much greater than the risks.
Roberta Beach says
I got lost watching the Klusman cat videos – hilarious! Of course, my dogs sleep with me – I get in my recliner or bed and am immediately besieged by as many dogs as will fit – and sometimes more….we have regular mutual grooming times. I am a bit chronically immunocompromised from long ago radiation (it really kicks down your WBC counts) but am rarely sick, sick. What bothers me, like right now, are the FARTS….whew. Be glad you are currently not here.
Roberta Beach says
BTW, both photos are splendid but the second, in the snow, should be put in a gallery. It is awesome.
Rebecca Golatzki DVM says
My pets have always slept with me (though my puppy has not graduated from being crated at night yet, his dad sleeps with me and this is my first group of cats which are not allowed in the bedroom- not because I don’t want them, but because 3 am is their prime playtime which does not amuse me most nights. All my previous cats slept with me as well.). I kiss them and they kiss me, though I’m not wild about being kissed on the mouth and my dry mouthed, politely kissy shelties have ruined me so I no longer enjoy sloppy retriever kisses.
In 20 years of veterinary practice, I can remember one instance of kids getting ringworm from a shelter kitten; one adult who got giardia caring for a sick petstore kitten, and one transient self limiting case of sarcoptes transferred from a dog to the owner. A few cases of nasty bites that usually were in situations where they may have surprised the owner, but certainly didn’t surprise me, and often came from pets that they may have had only brief or superficial contact with. In that same time frame, I have had dozens of clients tell me about some pretty horrific infections they developed as a result of hospitalization; thousands who have caught the flu or other diseases from family members and friends, and not a few, judging my how many tell me “Oh, I’ve been on that” when I prescribe Flagyl for their dogs, that have brought home unfortunate “gifts” from lovers and spouses. Makes me not worry too much about what they’ll catch from the family dog, though we always stress the importance of caution whenever we diagnose diseases that have zoonotic potential.
I do admit though that I am sometimes horrified by the condition of pets that the owners proudly proclaim sleep in their beds. Just as I would not want a human bed partner who had not bathed in a year nor ever brushed his teeth, I DO ensure that my pets are reasonably clean and have their dental issues addressed (come to think of it, I sometimes am horrified by the PEOPLE accompanying them who presumably share their beds). You would be amazed how many people bring in dogs with teeth rotting out of their mouth, stool stuck to their rears, loaded with fleas and that I can smell from outside the exam room, who claim to sleep with them. Yikes. Some common sense and good hygiene DOES go a long way.
Michy says
Our dogs and cats sleep wherever they want, including in bed with us, even under the covers, although since we have some reactive issues, somebody is always crated at night – one of the two with the issues. I’ve also started working on crate training the other two dogs, just to get them comfortable with it. We try not to let them have wrestling matches in the bed, though we aren’t so good at that all the time. Kisses are fine by us, though I’m sorta careful not to let any dogs slip me the tongue, because I know what they lick other times. I’ll wash my hands before handling things that need to be clean, like food and such. The good stuff they give/make happen is worth way way way more than any slight risk of illness that could possibly maybe come from them. Oh, and we feed raw, so if there were gonna be germs from that, we’d probably have them!
Pike says
Lovely NZ and magazine pictures!
Well, I don’t think that dogs should sleep in my bed.
First of all, there is already a cat sleeping on one foot end and secondly they significantly expand over time.
Sparky is too old to even consider jumping up, li’l Pixie doesn’t get past the cat and only determined Ronja sneaks in ever so carefully at about 4:00 am (coming to think of it, that seems more like 2:00 by now) every morning. Stealthily moving undercover until she is curled up next to my hip, barely occupying any space at all.
If I wake up then, it doesn’t seem all that bad especially during the winter cold. So I go back to sleep and Ronja – ever so gradually – will move up and stretch all four legs to maximum extension against the wall pushing me onto the other side of the bed. Eventually I will find myself in some kind of diagonal position: Feet carefully tucked away from the toe whacking cat and the upper body pushed over by the hound who is now almost on my pillow and occupying more than half of the bed with most of my cover and plenty of room towards the wall.
For that exact reason, Ronja never gets to go to bed with me when I retire 🙂
D says
Great article and great photos! Kudos to the author and photographer from Madison Magazine for a job well done, capturing the heart and spirit of my favorite dog author and her favorite dog!
Kudos, as well, to the journalist from cnn.com, for thinking to call YOU in order to get both sides of this issue. Am looking forward to reading her article, and I hope it presents the positives that all the posts have mentioned in support of your arguments.
Yes, I sleep with my dogs and cats, especially in winter when it’s cold here in New England. There is no sweeter lullaby than a cat purring under the covers, and no greater comfort when I wake up in the middle of the night after hearing a strange noise than my dog’s nose touching my cheek and letting me know he’s keeping watch while I sleep.
Ruth says
Our basenji sleeps in our bed, under the covers (of course!).
Just last month, my son had ringworm and gave it to me. I was actually worried about one of use giving it TO the dog, as he already has very sensitive skin and regularly gets bacterial infections. A fungal infection on top is not something I’d like to deal with. I’m sure none of these studies addressed the “dangers” that pets face in interacting with us!
Marguerite says
In the years BRT (before rat terriers) there were always cats on the bed, and sometimes under the covers. Two of my favorite cats would cuddle while I slept on my stomach, each one in an armpit, head on my shoulder (and occasionally snarling over my back). I miss both of them. I can’t remember NOT having cats on the bed, even after RTs. Never got sick from the cats, even before we started paying attention to flea treatments. Not any cat kissing to mention.
The first Rattie slept on top of the covers until the girl Rattie came in and showed him how to burrow under. (And yes, cats are still on the bed.) At the time I lived in a very wooded area of south central Pennsylvania and got a deer tick bite, with the offending tick sitting in the middle of a red bull’s eye. I blame the dog for bringing it in. Between the ticks and mosquitoes, and being mildly immunocompromised by being on Enbrel, I decided to sell the beautiful country place and get a little house with a fenced back yard in town. I’m lovin’ it!
Angel says
Sharon – I loved the video! Thank you for sharing with us. The yodeling section almost made me cry. My male cat will let me pick him up, flip him around, and generally do whatever I want with him. My girl cries as soon as I get her in my arms. I may have to try to get her to yodel. 🙂
And here is another cat video that made me laugh out loud:
Angel says
I kiss and cuddle my dog all the time, probably more than he wants, laughs! And I love when he kisses me! He actually sleeps in the bathroom downstairs, but only because when he was a puppy, he learned that barking and crying got mom to take him outside and “play” with him, even if the play wasn’t much fun and only lasted a few minutes. To break him of the habit, his sleeping quarters were moved downstairs, which worked to teach him that bedtime meant go to sleep. And now it’s his room – he goes there during the day if we’re not home and he still sleeps there. I’m actually thinking on how to get him to sleep upstairs in the bedroom with me, but when I’ve tried, he has been unsettled and restless until I allow him to go back downstairs to “his room”. I want him to sleep with me!! And both cats sleep wherever they want, which when I’m lucky is with me in bed. I love when my girl cat sleeps with me – if I’m not feeling well or wake up for some reason and can’t get back to sleep, reaching out and resting a hand so I’m touching her calms my mind and soul.
Angella says
I enjoy having cuddles with our retired greyhound on the bed (she is never under the sheets) but as she is a very strong willed character she only gets on the bed as a very, very special treat. Lots of hugs that she isn’t too fussed about but doesn’t move away from either. In return I get wet nose kisses; she constantly has a drippy nose that apparently is quite normal for the breed. I let her lick on the arm/hand or cheek.
Our cat sleeps on the bed, dog sleeps on her bed at the foot of the bed and also our 10 month old daughter’s cot is in our bedroom too. A real family affair!
I always check with reliable sources (ie you) unlike some friends who are like chicken little “the sky is falling…”.
Our daughter and animals are a HUGE part of our live and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 🙂
Alison says
My dogs have their own beds, but are free to sleep on mine with me if they choose, mostly they just come up and visit me for a while though (I think I must move around too much in my sleep). They love to give kisses!
I’m sure our household cat is a far greater danger to my health than sleeping with and kissing my dogs. The cat likes to try to trip me as I go down the stairs or walk down the hallway. She also tries to smother me by laying on my neck and face (with lots of love I’m sure) while I’m trying to read or watch TV.
Once we take the time to identify risks, we can take steps to minimize them. I’m careful to step over the cat or nudge her out of the way or if I’ll be making frequent trips up or down the stairs, I lock her up until I’m done. I keep my dogs clean and free of fleas and ticks (and have taught them to wait at the bottom of the stairs for me).
I’m sure I have a far greater risk of catching something from the hospital I work at or the grocery store than I am catching something from my pets. Frequent hand washing is my best defense there.
Annie R says
Thanks so much Trisha for pointing out the anecdotal approach of this article, and for comparing it to the numerous more soundly based studies showing the benefits of contact with pets, and then pointing out how that makes it a reasonable decision (not just an emotional one) for all of us who connect affectionately with our pets, to continue to do so. It’s really hard to believe this came out from the CDC. How can this kind of paranoia come from a government agency supposedly working in the public interest? And worst of all, we all paid for this “research” as taxpayers. Aargh!!
Anyway, I am jealous of all of you who sleep with your pets; my current two mature herding-breed dogs won’t get on the bed with me at all and are not much on cuddling; they do kiss me occasionally but are often just too busy keeping track of everything going on in our little world. I SO miss my big Rott-Lab mix, a rescue from Best Friends at mid-life, who for over six years was the BEST bed partner. He would settle in one position, usually the long axis of his back to me, and stay there. He was like a warm living bolster, I could spoon him or turn my back and lean against him and he’d never move. He got me through my first cold damp winters in the Northwest. I literally am planning specifically to find a cuddly dog next time I rescue one; I miss the cuddliness so much.
Great pictures, wonderful article — seems they really got a lot of the details right, which I’ve found to be rare in “local” journalism. Did you notice that Will got one more image in there than you did? Yeah, you had no “solo” pix without him, but he had one of just himself in there. What a ham, oops, I meant STAR!!! I also really enjoyed seeing the one of you and Jim, looking relaxed and having fun, I don’t think I knew what he looks like before; it’s nice to see the two of you in a photo together.
Jana Rade says
I find it funny that we [humans] always find a way to divert. Why not focus on the things that are really killing us all – the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat …
Once we’re all done with fixing that, then we can worry about something else.
But it is always easier to pick a little issue. Reminds me of my old country (Czech republic) where after the revolution, with the country falling apart, the biggest concern was what the country should be called! Hyphenate or not to hyphenate, that was the question.
When the real issues are over our heads, we get stuck with small ones and makes us feel like we are DOING something …
Reidun (in Spain) says
Hi, thanks for a very good and enjoyable article – again. Here in Spain, at least where I live in a rural area in the Pyrenees, a lot of people consider that a too close interaction with a dog or a cat is unhealthy and can bring you all kinds of diseases – a lot of people even try to avoid to touch them. I think this goes together with dogs and cats living outdoors, being very sparsely wormed, no parasite control and no control whatsoever what they put into their mouths. Having said that, my husband and I share our bedroom with 2 big dogs sleeping on the floor next to our bed, and 1 dog and 2 cats sleeping in the bed with us. Of course our animals have a completely different life than their neighbouring canine and feline friends.
Here in Spain we have a big problem with leishmaniosis, a disease spread by a mosquito. I know that this disease in rare cases has spread from dog to human, and quite a big number of dogs in the country are infected. The disease can not be cured, but can be treated, and an infected animal can live a fairly normal life if it is medicated for the rest of his/her life. Untreated, the disease can be fatal. Our dogs do carry a collar that is supposed to repell most dangerous mosquitos, and they are also kept indoors every day during the mosquito intensive hours of the afternoon, night.
Living with animals is a risk, but so is living with people – as you pointed out do we want to live in a sterilized bubble? I will definately continue to cuddle up and kiss my dogs and cats!
EssMac says
I snuggle, sleep with, and get slobbered on by my dogs but I do discourage them from licking my mouth. My philosophy regarding the possible transfer of germs is that the benefit far outweighs any possible potential risk! Life is inherently dangerous, but we have adapted ways of managing the risks of daily life: we look before crossing the street, we make sure food is properly prepared, walk carefully on icy sidewalks….. Snuggling, sleeping, playing, and romping with my dogs makes life worth living. Period.
Studies have shown that the average workplace desk has as many germs as a toilet seat. I routinely get sniffles from colleagues who come to work sick. So, do I worry about catching anything from my dogs? No. We all choose what is important to us and what risks we are wiling to take. I take care to keep myself safe and healthy by mitigating risk wherever possible, e.g. washing hands, keeping kitchen sanitary, disinfecting desk at work, etc, but won’t give up snuggle time with my canine companions no matter the risk.
Oh my, the picture of you and Willie is gorgeous. I too loved the Klusman cat video. I have to admit that I had never heard a cat yodel before!
Susan says
My dog and cat sleep with me. I kiss them all the time, and they lick me whenever they want to. My oddball horse is also a licker, and she gets lots of kisses. I’d sooner give up breathing than change any of it.
Kim says
i sleep with 2 dogs and a husband! and i let them all kiss my face! 🙂
Lisa W says
Our dogs have always slept with us, if they choose to do so. Our last pair agreed amongst themselves that they would rotate shifts on the bed. The golden had the first shift — she slept on the bed until just before dawn — and then she would get down and the shepherd mix would get on the bed to finish out the shift. The shepherd mix liked to sleep either in the next room or downstairs so she could be the first line of defense, but apparently, if nothing happened by daybreak, it was safe to go to bed.
Our current pair sleep on the bed and spoon with each other, although the lab likes to start out under the covers. The lab is a dedicated kisser and the terrier mix has decided to follow suit. I have never had such kissing dogs before, and I while I don’t appreciate the eyeglass kiss, I always appreciate the quick hey, hope-you’re-doing-ok-check-in kiss. If for some reason I feel like I need a kiss, I’ll lean over to the lab and say: “Gimme a smooch, pooch.” She is more than happy to oblige.
We have recently decided that as we get older, instead of new rules, we are going to get a new bed. A queen bed is on its way to accommodate all of us comfortably for the next many years.
Wendy W says
Disease!!!? No, the real threat is hypothermia! So maybe for their next trick, the CDC could figure out how long it takes an average size dog to ever so carefully nudge an average size person to the edge of the bed and then steal all the covers!!!
And sorry if I this posted twice – my cover hogging Hope mashed the keyboard and either sent or deleted the prior version of this comment. Perhaps she realizes I’m on to her…
jackied says
I was brought up not to have dogs upstairs, so I don’t, and anyway he’s not confident enough for proper cuddles. He’s learned that 3/4 of us are perfectly happy to be licked on the chin, but sometimes he sneaks in a proper mouth kiss if we’re not paying sufficient attention but he doesn’t get told off for it. I do not worry about infection at all – and both my spouse and I are/were scientists.
I do wash my hands frequently and particularly before preparing food, but that’s more because of the chickens than the dog.
MM says
Enjoyed that Madison Mag story and those pictures. Looks like you’ve got more than one calling.
Our dog does not sleep with us because I have allergies. When I hear stories like the one about zoonoses, I try to extract the useful information and ignore the rest unless it supports one of my own pet theories. I appreciate it when experts put stories like this one in perspective. Thanks.
Beth says
I must say that personally I think dogs make awful bed-mates. They are heavy, they tend not to budge over easily when you nudge them, and since they usually press up against you whenever you move, it makes it difficult to roll over. I have slept with dogs in the past and my current two are not allowed in the bedroom. I will cuddle with them on the couch. My cat does sleep with us.
I don’t let dogs lick my face. I personally find it gross. They lick their own genitals. They eat poop. I love my dogs but don’t like dog kisses and yes, I think of the germs. I am not a germaphobe but I DO wash my hands after petting my dogs and before eating or touching my face.
I appreciate your honesty that you let yours kiss your face, and I know many pet-owners do! All I have to say, though, is that I don’t think many of us would let our spouses use the toilet, not wash their hands, and then come and stroke our faces. I guess I’m just amazed that people allow their pets to do things that would totally gross them out if done by another human. I’m not sure what psychology is at play there.
sally ranken says
Our three large chessies sleep in our beds, kiss us and a bad habit my 12 year old has is sharing food off her silverware with them. She is the healthiest kid I know. We work with rescue dogs, and even though we wash our hands it dosent happen when it should. I will let a dog in my bed long before I would most people!
Lisa H says
Just prior to reading this today I was enjoying a nap in bed with both dogs – the puppy in my arms & the adult spooning behind my knees. Nothing better in the whole world than waking up to give belly rubs & get soft chin licks …. the puppy at not quite 9 months of age is still in the crate at night & the 4 year old gets to sleep w/us or goes downstairs to the rec room couch. He has grown to be so much more affectionate over time & she has been a lover (enthusiastic kisser, lap sitter, licker) since the start. I saw a t-shirt once that had the saying “My dog can’t hold his licker.” & wish I could find it now as its definitely applicable. And I also do not worry about the germs, especially growing up on a farm w/the dog & barn cats, etc.
Debby says
I agree with you completely. My 2 indoor cats sleep with me and my husband frequently. My Lab mix sleeps with me occasionally when my husband is working overnight, but she is not a kissy in your face dog, regrettebly. I cannot attribute a single illness to her, unlike my human family and coworkers, general public in stores, buses, subway, and soforth. I frequently kiss friendly dogs in the shelter I volunteer at and many lick my face. Life is too short to deny yourself these pleasures. Hey, if I didn’t get doggy kisses I might go crazy and do something dangerous.
Debby says
Of course I do wash my hands frequently and restrict some kissing and cuddling at the shelter, mostly because I don’t want to spread germs and get any of the newer or older dogs sick. We don’t handle puppies if we have handled adults the same day, other people strictly work with the pupppies that are not fully vacinated.
Shannon B. says
Lovely article and very VERY flattering photos of both you and Willie.
Our family fights over who get to sleep with our family dog, I do, because I do most of the work! But every morning, the kids get a special “doggie wakeup” including a big slobbery kiss (who knew Aussies could slobber like a Newfie!) None of us would miss it for the world.
Your very measured and reasonable response to an obvious effort to incite panic will hopefully go a long way to defuse what reads like “not enough news today” syndrome in the press.
Thank you for being such a wonderful advocate for responsible and common sense pet ownership.
Jeff says
Well my dog doesn’t sleep in bed with me, but he sleeps in his own bed right beside me. It is just kind of how it works out. However I do get down on the floor and take naps with him and we cuddle and he kisses me and I kiss him. He can be aggressively affectionate which I don’t mind at all, it is just that he is 140 lbs. One of the fondest and happiest thoughts is a thanksgiving a couple years ago when I finished eating I was so stuffed. I went and laid down on the floor to let things settle and he thought, “oh what a good time for a face licking” he then quicker than a flash jumped on my chest and proceeded to lick my face from chin to forehead. His weight on my belly was uncomfortable but I couldn’t stop laughing.
Now he does get in bed with me, but he doesn’t sleep there. On Saturday or Sunday mornings when I am trying to sleep in, I will feel one paw on the foot of the bed, then pretty soon a second paw. Then the body will slowly get on the bed followed by the back paws. You know 140lbs trying to sneak into bed with you. I let him up there, because I can’t think of a better way to wake up in the morning.
Donna in VA says
When we had cats they slept in the bed. My sheltie sleeps in his bed on the floor beside my bed or sometimes in the chair in the bedroom. I wake up when he moves around so am aware if there is a problem. I can tell when he is dreaming because I can hear his breathing and sometimes muffled growls or barks. General cuddling if I am watching TV or reading a book is the norm. I am happy that he likes the contact and gains confidence from it.
I am fine with him licking my legs/arms/hands. I avoid being licked on the face because he eats disgusting things too often to make me happy!
Denise says
Years ago, I read a science fiction story where people had become so afraid of “germs” that even open widows were only a distant memory. Pets, naturally, were banned and keeping one was a criminal offense. More of a horror story, really. It still haunts me, especially when I read articles like the one in question. I wonder if we’re not getting there incrementally, one fearful, poorly researched story at a time. It’s a frighteningly slippery slope…
Denise says
Oh, forgot to mention, OF COURSE I kiss my dog! Gosh, I pet him too. And he sleeps on the bed when the mood strikes him. I even feed him in the kitchen, another practice that I once read was guaranteed to introduce end-of-the world causing germs. Oh well. Better to face the end with a dog by your side!
Laura says
Great pics in the magazine article! Can’t wait to read it.
I will never forget the time I was at a festival type thing standing in line to get lemonade. A little boy saw my dog and started to try to pet her. The mother grabbed the kid and told him dogs are dirty, they have germs. That made me so sad I have never forgotten it and it was over 10 years ago. I’m sure that little boy got a lot more germs from all the other kids than he would have gotten petting my dog.
One dog loves to snuggle, spoon and sleep under the covers. He absolutely will not kiss me. he turns his head when I try to kiss him. This wouldn’t be so bad but he kisses my mom and a couple of my friends he really likes. I might get a kiss if I have been out of town. Other dog likes to snuggle but not for hours. She will give me a nice polite kiss upon request or when she feels like it. I thoroughly enjoy it. I don’t enjoy a slobberfest from dogs who aren’t mine.
Cats – 5 of them. Only one doesn’t sleep on the bed. I enjoy sleeping with them but sometimes it is a little much like when I wake up with one I my chest. All snuggle on their own terms. One kisses me on the lips. I kiss a couple or so on the lips.
em says
I wonder…and I should stipulate here that I love kids…if a similar study has been done on the medical dangers of interacting with children? I have several nieces and nephews and a slew of much younger cousins, whom I love , but for a while, it seemed like every time I went near them (particularly the ones who don’t live nearby), I’d come down with something. Everything from pinkeye to the flu. After one Christmas, half my family (about ten people) came down with a virus carried into the house by my young cousin, and I actually said to my mother (in jest) ‘someone needs to notify the CDC about that kid’. I realize that the article isn’t trying to evaluate the relative danger of dog-borne illnesses compared to other hazards, but still, it seems to me that if dogs are often dirty, kids are just as often just as dirty and considerably more contagious. I don’t suppose that there is any recommendation to avoid kissing, cuddling, or sharing your bed with children, though. Risk or no risk, I suspect most people,myself included, would find such a recommendation ridiculous, if not downright offensive. I suspect that most people, including myself, feel much the same way about our pets. It’s good to be mindful of hygiene, good steward of our animals’ health, and aware of the risks, especially when dealing with immune-compromised individuals, but rejecting affection from a dog or cat can be just as emotionally difficult for some people as it would be to recoil from a child.
ABandMM says
The article “Zoonoses in the Bedroom” by B.B. Chomel and B. Sun is being published in February 2011: Volume 17, Number 2 and is listed as a “Perspective”. The .pdf file of the Perspective has not yet been posted on the Journal’s website. The website link is: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/upcoming.htm
(Note: Once the article is available, you may need a subscription to access it, or pay a fee to download it)
According to the Journal’s website, here are the publication guidelines for a “Perspective” article: (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/StyleGuide/article_types.htm)
“Perspectives
Articles should not exceed 3,500 words or include more than 40 references. Use of subheadings in the main body of the text is recommended. Photographs and illustrations are encouraged. Provide a short abstract (not to exceed 150 words), a 1-line summary of the conclusions, and a brief biographical sketch of first author
deborah ryan says
The Chicago Sun Times gave a short blurb to the Chomel article today, of course no facts to back up the claims…..
Me, I sleep with one husband and one dog, who has shared my feet for six years now, The boys sleep either on their beds on the floor{ in the bedroom} or on the sofa in the living room, just feet away from the bedroom door.
When my husband gets up for the day, the boys take his spot, so I usually wake up sandwiched between three snoring canines. Would have it no other way! The boys give quick kisses, while my girl will do a thorough face washing including ears if one were to put their face close to hers and coo. I don’t worry about germs, heck the last time I had more than a little cold was ’93- caught the flu so generously shared among my two daughters and their classmates. My girls grew up with a cat and a dog as well as the usuall pocket pets, handwashing was a regular event, but that was just common sense.
loved the Madison Mag article and the pictures!
trisha says
Although we interact with our pets differently, I have to give Beth credit for making a good point. Would we let a human who’d done what our dogs do with their mouths kiss us? Point taken. (But not enough to change my behavior!)
By the way, USA Today put a head line of CDC article on their front page. As did the authors, the paper states that ‘although it is rare…” you can catch X, Y & Z from your pet. My concerns continue that our somewhat germophobic country is not going to balance this with the proven benefits of touching, petting and yes, possibly sleeping with your pet. (I agree with some of the comments from Europe, that we Americans are, uh, a tad extreme about germs.)
Meshel says
Wonderful article in Madison magazine!
We sleep in bed with 2 dogs and one on her own bed on the floor next to us (she gets too hot in our bed surrounded by other dogs and people). One of our dogs, Olive, is a licker. I’m 40 years old and I’ve slept with and been kissed by dogs my whole life and nothing bad has happened to me. In fact, I believe I’d be far less healthy if I didn’t have a life full of doggie cuddling and licking.
Beth says
By the way, my views are modified by the fact that I take immune-suppressing medication for arthritis, and so am “germ-aware” (as opposed to being “germ-a-phobe; my most common cleaning product is a mix of vinegar and water, so I’m certainly not hyper-vigilant though I do wash hands frequently).
Still, doggie kisses always kinda grossed me out, even when I was young and used to spend the day at the horse stable, ride and groom and clean tack, then rinse my hands under the cold faucet before downing my sandwich for lunch. With dogs, I can’t get past the feces-eating when they try to kiss me. I have found that if face kissing is not greeted warmly, most dogs happily give it up and no longer even attempt (because remember, adult dogs don’t normally use licking as greeting behavior; it’s a carry-over from puppyhood that most likely continues because humans reinforce it), though neither of mine are naturally big lickers.
Wild Dingo says
I can honestly say that I never had a dog who ate feces. And still do not. I know it’s not unheard of but I’ve always just trained my dogs not to eat things with a “yuck” command. so that solves that problem. on another note, my dogs also rarely lick their genitals. don’t know why, it’s just not that common for them to do it. i’m around them 90% of the day so I would notice if they licked a lot. I do attribute a lot to their diet (raw) and their mouths are incredibly clean and never smell. Before my current two dogs, we had 2 others fed kibble. both dogs breath were incredibly bad no matter dental care i provided. the labrador especially. i disliked being kissed by him for that sad reason, tho he was a huge lover and enjoyed kissing.
i understand the point of not wanting to be licked by a poo-eater or genital licker though! still, there’s that old theory of dog’s mouths being “so much cleaner” than humans due to their biology…LOL…
Melanie S says
Trisha, just saw this youTube clip and am thinking that the toy which features in it is probably/possibly one of those stuffed sheep toys you used to sell. I thought I’d quickly post this here so you can see for yourself what a problem these toys can be.
😉
Smiles,
Melanie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf-jrJT_3ks
em says
I’ve never had a poo-eater, either, but I think I read somewhere that the ‘dog’s mouth is cleaner’ theory is a myth…
Melanie S says
I tried letting my whippet Slipstream sleep in the bed with me but I lost too much sleep, waking up up whenever he rearranged his position, so he sleeps in his bed right beside my bed. Each evening he comes up onto or into the bed for some together time before it’s sleep time, and most mornings I am woken by either his staring at me, or the sound of him shaking, or, if I’ve been somnolently oblivious to both of those “notice-that-I’m-ready-for-my-morning-snuggles-in-the-bed” messages he might put both front feet on the edge of the bed and continue to stare at me until he’s invited up onto the bed. During the day he freely uses the bed as one of his favourite lounging spots but if I am already on the bed he waits to be invited up to join me, polite boy!
I find it particularly interesting that I become sleep deprived if sleeping with Slip because my previous dog Jock (an Australian terrier) slept on the bed no troubles, and even though many mornings I’d wake up to find myself lying along the edge of the bed – me with a third of the bed, Jock with a distinctly disproportionate two-thirds of the bed – my sleep was never disturbed by this.
I have no health concerns about sleeping with dogs or cats on or in the bed, and getting a lick on the face doesn’t bother me either, it’s those sneaky stray licks to the face that end up IN my mouth that I have a bit of a rueful laugh about. I usually say “Ew, you got me!” to whomever it was that managed it.
One of my biggest delights is when “There were four in the bed and the little one said… meow!” – when both my cats – Brer and Delilah – and Slippy and I are all snuggled up and draped over one another on the bed, being snoozly together.
Smiles…
Laurie says
Thanks for a thoughtful response to an article that did not emphasize enough the minimal risks to responsible dog owners, whose pets are managed for parasites, eat well and are kept healthy. I would say the benefits far outweigh the risks, and this article just gives me one more battle to have with my non-pet loving acquaintances (few, because they would have to survive my housefull!)
My dogs dont get on the beds or the couch, because that is space reserved for the cats. The people do snuggle on the furniture with the cats, and nap on the floor or the dog beds with the dogs. I get Aussie kisses all day long, and it was a highlight for me when my younger scaredy dog finally joined the ranks and became a kisser! We have an infant arriving in our home in the next few months, and have already discussed that dog and kitty kisses will be allowed, with parental supervision and coaching of course.
Beth says
Wanted to address the feces-eating! I’ve never had a dog that ate dog poop, but never known one who didn’t love bunny poop and we have that all around; impossible to avoid as the little buggers live all around us.
We also live near a big park with a large feral cat population. One of mine is an expert at finding it in the woods, unfortunately; he’ll track it down where it’s buried. Regardless, mine spend a fair amount of time loose in the woods, which does mean getting into some pretty gross stuff on occasion.
kate says
I just loved the pictures and the article in MMag!
I went through a period of time when I lived in the city and my exercise besides walking with my furry friends was going to the gym and working out.
I’d come down with colds everytime I felt like I was just getting in shape…now that I live near the woods, away from the city, I rarely come down with anything.
The one thing that has remained constant that I can rule out is that my dogs have always licked me and I’ve always cuddled, pet, kissed the sides of their temples so my colds, I don’t believe had anything to do with them.
Maybe the upside of an article like this will be that people take more responsibility to teach their dogs appropriate meet and greets?
Some people prefer not to touch dogs and I actually have sniff at a distance on cue for those times. Some people like to stop to say “what a cute dog’ etc or engage in conversation, and while my dogs think that’s their cue to go to cuddle…if I notice the person back away, I say “sniff’ (air sniff) to my dogs and then they return to me. It’s something we practiced that comes in handy from time to time.
Dena (Izzee's Mom) says
Both dogs and the cat sleep on our bed. I get licked regularly by my dogs, my cat, and all of my frinds’ dogs.
And Jim is one handsome hunk of man! Hubba, hubba!
Karissa says
I bought a king-sized bed so that myself and the three dogs would have more room to stretch out. The 80 lb lab mix would take up over half the Queen-size bed on his own, so an upgrade was necessary!
Two of my dogs eat poopsicles in the winter. Not sure why, but they only like frozen poo — So I admit there are occasionally times when they get me in the face and I go, “Oh good heavens, what did you just eat?” But more often than not, I’m guilty of starting the smooch-fests.
I also will share snacks with them off the same eating utensil. Pudding & ice cream are the most popular. You should see the drool they produce when I’m eating these things. lol
FWIW, I am very rarely ill. I average one cold per year.
Kelly says
Ugh! It’s starting. Here’s some headlines….
Don’t sleep with your pet, you may catch something (possibly bubonic plague)
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1350168/Dont-sleep-pet-catch-possibly-bubonic-plague.html#ixzz1C52gsxms
and 102 similar at
http://news.google.com/news/more?q=Catch+disease+from+dogs&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=lZV&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivnsu&resnum=4&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ncl=dyDcOKNcYvdes0MrDI2_KvQjl2_QM&ei=eTE_TZPrHMWAlAerzcjkAg&sa=X&oi=news_result&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQqgIwAA
Sara Wiesner says
Awesome article in Madison Magazine! Great photos, great message, great story…inspiring!!!
Deanna in OR says
Let’s see….over 90 comments so far, with at least 75 or 80 of them they allow sleeping or face-licking or otherwise “excessive” physical closeness with their dogs and/or cats. Few if any reported actually getting sick from their animals.
But TWO of these 90+ people have reported broken limbs recently due to snow or ice! Oh no! Outlaw snow and ice! Never let humans live in a place where the temperature drops below freezing!
(Oh wait…that’s right, life is risky…)
Our 3 dogs usually sleep in their crates next to our bed, because my husband likes to have the space more to himself–although our border collie has been getting used to sleeping on the bed since the new puppy is using her crate until we get the pup a new big one for herself. Our cat (and my many cats before that) always slept on the bed. When my husband is gone, the adult dogs sleep on the bed with me (and my dogs, pre-husband, always slept with me). I love doggy kisses.
On the other hand, I seem to get sick every Fall term from the new germs students bring to school with them. (Dogs and cats have never made me sick).
My anecdotes contradict their anecdotes…
leif Jenkinson says
We have had only 3 dogs in last 20 years. The Akita wasn’t very demonstrative – she was a rescue, already grown, but did do face kisses once in awhile, hand licking a lot. The Karellian was a bit more demonstrative, was a full grown pound dog. The Yellow Lab mix – now getting very old and arthritic, tends to lick hands more. We are also arthritic, so we don’t get down on the floor as much, thus she has less access to faces. The dogs always sleep on the floor, not the furniture or beds. (Luck, not our training.) The lab had to be walked in separate areas when the salmon were spawning – or, rather, rotting. Talk about a “raw meat” diet! In a way, I did catch something from her. Took a carcass away from her that was so rotten, I’m surprised she didn’t roll in it instead of try to eat it. Got a poke from a spine as i was stupid enough to use bare hands, and got an infection that eventually required antibiotics by IV. She was just fine. The kids and grandkids are still thriving – and they tended to be more kissy. Now we live in Kasilof, Ak instead of Ketchikan, AK, and she gets her carcasses from the beach instead of the river, and we’ve yet to catch anything from her and she’s yet to get sick from it. Dogs have absolutely astounding digestive systems! Take her home and feed her a milk-bone and her breath cleans right up. Wish the CDC study would clean up as easily…. Did sensationalism triumph over the scientific method?
The cat – which we borrowed from the grandkids several years ago when my wife saw 3 mice in the bird-feeder in broad daylight – is also into fresh raw meat – mice and red-back voles are at the high point of their cycles. Some days, he doesn’t bother with his cat-food.
The rabbits are also at the high point of their cycle – astounding numbers of snowshoe hares, tracks so plentiful some common “runs” look like the the I-5 in the snow. The big owls are staying the winters instead of migrating further south for last 2 years. Bald Eagles don’t leave. There there are the coyotes. So dog and cat get a hold of rabbit carcass parts (she’s too old and slow to catch them herself, anymore – more’s the pity for the garden) and the dog has had worms from the rabbits, which are easily cured. Funny, we haven’t gotten worms, now that i think about it.
It is very disappointing when an institution supposedly as prestigious as the CDC allows such lousy “science”. Gives science a bad name, reflects poorly on the people who are supposed to be protecting us from the real hazards out there, makes you wonder what else they are screwing up.
My wife was a teacher, i worked the Alaska Marine Highway System (Ferries). Her pupil made her sick, the public brought me untold “germs”, even recluse spiders. Our dogs didn’t.
Thanks, Trish!
AnnRan says
The dog can’t sleep in bed with both of us – there’s just not enough room, even though she keeps her 40 pounds fairly small. However, if hubby is out of town, or when he gets up in the morning, the dog is right up there with me.
I’ve never been a fan of dog kisses – it’s gross – I know where that tongue has been and I’ve seen our current dog chow down on an occasional horse manure nugget. But I know plenty of dog lovers who do allow it and I don’t know of any who have gotten sick from it.
I owned an iguana for 10 years and never got salmonella (at least, not that I know of) and I suspect that risk was far higher than contracting a zoonotic disease from our dog(s).
Being reasonably cautious is reasonable, but the benefit of sharing our lives with pets far, far outweighs the risk.
Hanz Robinson says
I can understand in a way when people state these bad things of animals and I’m sure different people respond different to contact with animals. What I don’t understand is when their opinions are forced down and rubbed in your face when actually (most of the time) they don’t have pets or four-legged friends around to teach them any better.
I grew up kissing and sleeping with dogs since I can remember. I have horses and chickens, tortoises, cats and geese and of course four collies. They don’t all sleep on the bed with me – it would make my life a bit difficult… but they get kissed and hugged and they love and return the affection constantly.
Most ailments and diseases I’ve had was from contact with other humans. My animals are my medicine and the healing effect they have would never be understood by people who believe that animals are dangerous in a way of spreading disease to humans…. and I know they would differ once they read this.
Frances says
Can’t believe I have just commented on a story in the Daily Mail! (Off topic – but a brilliant send up of its scare-mongering style here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBT6OSr1TI )
I was reassured to note that the three rabid comments on the horrible lack of hygiene shown by pet owners have been thoroughly voted down by the vast majority, though!
Peggy says
I initially read the article about sleeping with pets with a bit of anxiety because I knew that a segment of our population would over react and loving pets potentially would suffer. I have lived with cats and dogs all my life and they both have routinely slept with me – both dogs and cats getting along very well. Now I live with two rescue dogs – a Pembroke Corgi and a Basenji. As soon as they were completely housebroken they both were allowed to sleep with me. Sleeping together, cuddling on the couch and “giving kisses” are regular activities in my household. I am healthier than ever – especially emotionally and mentally. My Basenji loves to have the top of her head kissed and comes to me several times a day, stretches her head up a bit so she can receive her kiss. That was a part of her training and was used as a reward for “doing good”. In order to balance their needs of order and control (Corgi) and chaos (Basenji) requires lots of cuddles and belly rubs. We all receive our reward at the end of the day by the closeness of sleeping together.
Suzanne says
Who cares if I sleep with my dogs (I do). I wash my hands regularly, drive the speed limit, wear a seatbelt, and eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Those are going to go exponentially further in preventing disease than avoiding contact with my pets, no matter how strong the evidence.
Catherine says
What a lovely article and great photos in the article and above. The assorted references to pets and spouses in the comments above were certainly amusing.
I’m definitely in the minority here, but I’ve never encouraged my dog to kiss me – he puts his face up to mine and sniffs me, and that seems to be all he wants to do. He typically greets my husband in the same way but often follows it up with a quick kiss (a peck, really). There’s not a lot of reinforcement or discouragement, so I’m curious about how this behavior pattern came to be – have read that the licking of the mouth is a submissive gesture, for what it’s worth.
My husband had never lived with a dog before and has been completely “converted” by our pup, but is nonetheless mildly aghast at the idea of a dog in or on our bed. Personally, I am happy to keep the bedroom as free as possible of dust, dirt, dog hair, etc. as we both have allergies (thankfully, no dog allergies). Our preferences are hygiene-related… but not because we’re worried about contracting the bubonic plague, just because of our own human response (“ick”) to some of his normal dog pasttimes. Our dog doesn’t eat poop, but he licks himself, and he’s a coonhound and sticks his nose in everything, and has dug through lots of snow recently to uncover frozen moles and frogs and then roll around on them, delighted. The dog is not allowed on furniture, but there’s lots of cuddling and petting nonetheless – he’ll lean on us, or one of us will lie down on the rug near him and he’ll roll over for a belly rub. If I lie down with just my shoulder and arm on his dog bed when he’s curled up, he’ll turn onto his side to nestle his head into my arm. So our boy suffers no lack of affection – he also gets frequent kisses on his velvety soft forehead.
He has dog beds in several rooms but prefers his crate when he’s tired, which is a cozy den with lots of blankets for nesting. After he was housetrained, we continued to crate him at night even though there’s no real need to contain him, thinking that keeping him accustomed to it is preferable for when we travel and need to crate him. If we are staying in someone else’s home or a hotel, crating him is about the only way to get him to settle down and sleep rather than sniffing the entire room over and over… Anyway, I must say that having a dog curled up next to me while I sleep sounds very pleasant indeed, but this is what works for us. We definitely feel the mental health benefits of sharing our lives with a dog, and thank you for a sensible response to a panic-inciting article.
JJ says
I grew up sleeping with the family dog. Never got sick from it. But I did get pushed of the bed more than once. Hence, the current dog is not allowed to sleep with me.
Duke is allowed on the couch. I don’t like him licking me on the mouth, but he’s sneaky sometimes. He does lick me on the chin all the time. He’s not allowed on the bed at all, but since he’s a Great Dane, he can stand on the side, looking down at me and wake me in the morning with kisses. Once he sneezed in my face that way. It was extremely gross, but I didn’t get sick from it.
How do I know I haven’t gotten sick from my dog? Because in the 4 years I have had Duke, I remember getting all of one head cold and I’m 100% certain that I got it from my sick co-workers who were coming to work and coughing all over everyone. Duke was healthy at the time so I think it unlikely that I got my cold from Duke.
As others have said, I think the anecdotes show we are far more likely to get sick from other humans than from our pets. We can withdraw from humanity or recognize that the benefits of interacting with humans outweigh the risks. If we make that choice, then why not make the same with non-human animals?
JJ says
re: “I don
Ken Warner says
Late to this discussion but I would like to point out the Hygiene Hypothesis which suggests that one of the causes for the increase in asthma is due to the reduced exposure to endotoxins from gram negative bacteria in the environment. It is thought that when exposed to these endotoxins the primary immune system forms in such away that results in less over response too innocuous antigens later in life. Many of the investigations of this phenomenon have looked at the presence of pets in home during the first two years of a child’s life. Most of these studies have found a negative correlation between asthma and the presence of dogs. Sorry but the same is not true for cats (too much time indoors I suspect).
Our dog much prefers his bed in the living room especially when we have a fire in the wood stove. We do however enjoy the kisses of appreciation he bestows.
Really enjoyed the article and the pictures are great.
trisha says
Fascinating comment Ken, thanks for it. I knew about the correlation with dogs and robust immune systems, but not that cats do not seem to have the same effect. Would be good to know how many cats were indoor-only versus indoor-outdoor.
Alexandra says
Just for the record, if one of the dogs eats bunny or horse poop (never seem them try to eat any other kind, they don’t have access to the cat box, and they’re both grossed out by dog poop) there’s a 48-hour ban on any licking of my face. If they happen to get in a lick of my hands, I will wash them before touching anything else.
I always wash my hands before cooking or eating, regardless of what I’ve been touching – dogs or otherwise.
Interesting point about humans and hygiene, and if you consider what contact you allow with your spouse or what a mother will tolerate with a baby, I think family bonds and love (which in some ways applies to our dogs) make many things that would ordinarily seem gross ok.
Rusty says
My dog sleeps in the bedroom but not on the bed. He isn’t allowed on the furniture 🙁 I cuddle and sometimes hug him, keeping in mind the photos you display of dogs looking miserable when their humans hug them. He doesn’t seem to mind. I’m not a fan of him kissing my face. It has nothing to do with germs or disease, I just don’t like the feeling. That was a great article in Madison Magazine and yes, you look great in the cover photo. Willie is such a ham!
Alissa says
Our hound dog Felix sleeps under the covers, usually at the foot of the bed between my feet and my husband’s feet. The first night we had him home from the SPCA he nudged at the covers and we obliged, not knowing what we’d get ourselves into. 🙂 When we go to bed, Felix goes to bed. every. night. Our other hound dog, Bosco, hates sleeping on the bed when people are in it because movement under the covers scares him. Instead, at 4am he hops over me and curls up into a 50lb ball between my pillow and my husband’s pillow, away from any scary covers. And our cat sleeps between my legs like a lump, and won’t move unless he is physically picked up.
We never encouraged any of this, but we don’t discourage it either. We enjoy the company and like snuggling and spooning with our dogs and cat. We wash all bedding regularly and have a waterproof mattress pad to deter any ickyness on our mattress from the pets…best $40 investment we’ve ever made. 🙂
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