During the day, it is an adorable ball of fur which spends its time sleeping. But after the sun goes down, your cute little one kitten suddenly transforms into an excited creature that leaps from cabinet to cabinet, knocks down everything in its path, meows to the moon and scratches at doors. Impossible to close an eye before the little monster has decided to calm down …
A study conducted by the Mayo Clinic and presented this week at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society of Sleep Professionals has just shown the link between pet ownership and sleep quality. In summary, the more four-legged friends you have at home, the more restless your nights are likely to be.
Snoring and screaming
To arrive at this conclusion, the American researchers compared data dating from 2002 with others, dating from 2013: result, if, in 2002, only 1% of the patients who consulted for sleeping troubles attributed these nuisances to their pets, this rate is now 10%. In addition, a questionnaire given to patients between August and December 2013 showed that, out of 110 people consulting for a sleep disorder, 46% had a pet, and 42% had several! The main culprits? Dogs, cats and birds. No risk, on the other hand, with goldfish …
“Patients seen in consultation complain most frequently of the snoring of their animals, but also of their cries, in particular when they want to go out, play or quite simply when they are bored”, explains Loïs Krahn, psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic and study author. “It causes sleep disturbance, of course, but also irritability in the subjects. “
Despite its controversial methodology, this may be a study that will inspire all new owners of cats, dogs and parrots to adopt good habits from the start: at night, lock your companion in another room, or teach him to stay calm after dark. Your health will thank you …
How do you get your pet to leave you alone at night? Come and give your advice on the forum!
