According to a recent study to be published in next month's issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Emerging Infectious Diseases, there is real risk to letting our dogs and cats sleep in our bed with us. Though researchers do agree that having pets do help with both physical and mental illness and may help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and decrease feelings of loneliness, while increasing opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities and socialization.
This study is trying to raise awareness about "the risk for transmission of zoonotic agents by close contact between pets and their owners through bed sharing, kissing or licking is real and has even been documented for life-threatening infections such as plague, internal parasites" and other serious diseases. The greatest risk is with children or immunocompromised people.
I encourage all of you to read the article, there is some good information to take into consideration if you allow your pets to sleep in your bed. But I will say that after reading everything, my cat will still have his spot in my bed.
For the full article, bark on the link: Bark!
