The 10 Best Small Pets for Cuddling in Bed (2023)

Who doesn’t like cuddling up with their small furry friends? Cuddling with our pets brings a lot of joy — and the occasional headache — to our lives.

As domesticated animals have evolved, they have been more attuned to human emotions. They’re seemingly able to tell when we are happy and sad, when we need a cuddle, and when we need to be left alone.

We (and our tiny friends) may not be able to speak the same language, but there is enough evidence to prove that having them around is invaluable to our mental health, in and out of bed.

If you’re looking for a perfect bed for you and your pets, check out the SONU Sleep line of products.

Stay tuned as we walk you through the best small pets to cuddle in bed.

10 Best Small Pets for Cuddling in Bed

Are you ready? Here are some of the best small pets that you can cuddle in bed.

1. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a small, cuddling powerhouse. These dogs are infamous for being coddled by French royalty. It’s hard to stop yourself from picking up and hugging these tiny dogs.

2. Havanese

Another cutie who is fun to snuggle with at bedtime is the Havanese. People typically coo over these dogs due to their long, silky hair and playful expression. The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba.

3. Siamese Cat

Siamese cats notoriously love attention, which makes them perfect cuddlers. These cats are sweet-natured and tend to show more adoration for their owners than most cats.

4. American Shorthair Cat

Contrary to popular belief, many types of cats are affectionate. One of the most affectionate breeds is the American shorthair cat. These cats’ calm demeanors make them excellent cuddlers.

5. Boxer

We all know how much dogs love to lie around with us. Boxers, like most dogs, have a lot of energy and love playing with their owners. When it comes to snuggling, they show an equal amount of enthusiasm.

6. Ferret

Don't forget the ferret when you think of pets to cuddle in bed. Not only will this little dude entertain you with his humorous antics, but he will do his best to vie for your affection.

7. English Ragdoll Cat

English Ragdoll cats are low energy but highly affectionate. They enjoy sitting on their owners’ laps or lying in bed with them. This calm, cool kitty will be one of your favorite cuddlers.

8. Pig

Are you surprised to see a pig on this list? It’s not uncommon to keep pigs as indoor pets nowadays. These intelligent creatures can be fun to cuddle with, from teacup piggies to potbellied pigs.

9. Bombay Cat

Just like the Siamese, the Bombay cat thrives on attention. These cats enjoy the company of their owners, making them one of the most loving pets you can lie in bed with.

10. Chinchilla

Chinchillas are nocturnal animals, which means they sleep during the day and play at night. If you’re a fan of naps, the chinchilla is happy to be there right by your side.

What Are the Benefits of Sleeping With Pets?

Fifty-six percent of people like their pets to sleep in their bedrooms. This is good news for puppies, especially; 86% like to sleep next to their owners.

Puppies aren’t the only ones who benefit from co-sleeping. Sleeping with your pets offers you a ton of benefits. And in general, having pets is amazing for your mental and physical health.

Sleeping with dogs makes some people feel safe. A lot of owners get dogs to deter crime on their properties. Just the act of sleeping with them at night creates a sense of security and comfort.

How Do Pets Improve Mental Health?

Having pets is wonderful for our mental health. It doesn’t matter what kind of pet you have.

People who own pets aren’t as likely to have depression as people with no pets. Pets elevate our moods and help keep stress and anxiety at bay. This is because interacting with animals increases dopamine and serotonin.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers report feeling safer when they have service dogs. These dogs are trained to pick up on their owners’ stress; they can even tell if they’re having nightmares. In fact, 57% of veterans with PTSD reported that their service dogs helped them when they had nightmares.

Having pets can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. The responsibility of caring for a pet gives many people a sense of purpose.

How Do Pets Improve Physical Health?

Having pets like cats or dogs in your home helps boost your immunity by adding to the already present bacteria. Being exposed to various microorganisms is one way our health and immunity improve. People who are exposed to fewer bacteria may end up with allergies and autoimmune issues. Sleeping with your pets is one of the best ways to expose yourself to bacteria.

As you might have guessed, this increased immunity doesn’t just affect adults. Children also develop stronger immune systems when they’re introduced to diverse bacteria. So, go ahead and encourage your child to hug Scruffy.

Your heart can benefit if you have pets. Interacting with them helps lower blood pressure, reduces the occurrence of hypertension, and even helps lower cholesterol levels. If you’ve had a heart attack, you’re more likely to live longer if you have pets.

People with pets spend less time in the doctor's office than those who don’t have them. It looks like all of that raised dopamine and reduced stress pays off!

What Are the Lifestyle Benefits of Having Pets?

Having pets can improve your overall lifestyle. Having a small creature that depends on you gives you a reason to get up in the morning.

Having a dog can help you exercise more. Walking your dog is a big part of having them. If you have an otherwise sedentary lifestyle, going on a walk with your pet daily can help you meet minimum exercise requirements. Your pet will be healthier as well.

Taking care of a pet can add structure to your daily schedule. Scheduling feeding times, exercise, or other necessary activities to care for your pet helps you become more consistent.

How Can Sleeping With Pets Be Risky?

On the other side of the coin, sleeping with pets isn’t always safe or healthy. Some people are allergic to certain animals. Unfortunately, many do not discover their allergy until they’ve already brought their new pet into their home.

Although early exposure to pet hair and dander can prevent allergies in many people, they can negatively affect others by worsening their allergic reactions. If you were not exposed to animals until adulthood, severe allergies could rear their ugly head when you cuddle with your pet.

Our pets can bring zoonotic diseases into our homes, which are diseases that can spread from animals to humans. Other harmful viruses and parasites like fleas and ticks are also concerning. Sleeping with Rover at night could mean these parasites of diseases will transfer from your pets to you.

As adorable as they are, sometimes pets are not the best sleep companions. Nocturnal animals like cats can get up throughout the night and pester their owners to get up and feed them.

Dogs and other pets can move a lot when they sleep in bed with you, which is bothersome for many sleepers. If you are someone who wakes up due to the smallest amount of motion transfer, you probably shouldn’t allow your furry pals to sleep with you.

In some instances, your pet might injure you when you sleep with them. Six percent of dogs have bitten resting humans. If your dog sleeps in your bedroom, they’re twice as likely to bite you. Children are at a higher risk of being bitten by pet dogs than adults.

Any animal with claws could potentially injure their humans in bed. This is especially dangerous for children.

How Can I Safely Sleep With a Pet?

Here are some ways to make sleeping with your pet a safe experience:

• Make sure your bed is big enough. There needs to be enough space for you, your pet, and any other co-sleepers to move around freely and sleep comfortably. The SONU Sleep System is available in Twin XL, Queen, King and California King sizes, so you can choose the right bed for your needs.
• Wash your bedding. Stay on top of this one. Wash your sheets and blankets regularly to rid them of anything your pet might have brought to bed, like litter crumbs.
• Keep them vaccinated. Don’t miss any vet appointments, and stay updated on your pet’s vaccines.
• Maintain their hygiene. Give Fido regular baths and make sure your kitty’s nails are trimmed regularly. Check for parasites. Wash their toys, bowls, and bedding frequently.
• Avoid licks and kisses. As much as many of us love to let our pets lick our faces, it’s actually a bad idea because it could transmit illnesses to us.
• Go to bed at the same time each night. This one helps you and your pet stay on schedule. When they get used to going to bed at the same time each night, you both may experience fewer restless nights.

Conclusion

There you have it. The ten best small pets for cuddling in bed. Did you spot one of your pets on this list? Did any of the pets on this list surprise you?

We are all creatures of comfort. Having our fur babies sleep with us is one of the best bonding and trust-building experiences we can have with them, but we need to be careful.

Keeping our pets healthy and clean is a necessary step before we allow them on our beds with us. So is creating a comfortable sleep environment for you both to fall soundly asleep in.

SONU Sleep offers one-of-a-kind mattresses with the cooling comfort of 26 high resilience foams topped off with serene foam, which creates a supportive body-contouring experience you’ve never felt before.

Each mattress comes with a ten-inch, patented Comfort Channel for you to immerse your arms and shoulders in while lying in the cuddle position with your favorite animal pal.

SONU’s goal is to deliver you (and your furry friends) a sleep experience you can’t get anywhere else.

Don’t wait another second. Check out the SONU Sleep experience today.

FAQ

How many people sleep with their pets?

Fifty-six percent of people sleep with their pets in their bedrooms.

Is sleeping with my pets harmful?

It can be risky sleeping with pets because they can spread zoonotic diseases to you or injure you. However, maintaining their hygiene and taking other measures can help prevent that from happening.

Do I need a special bed to sleep with my pets?

No, but we recommend sleeping in a big that’s big enough to accommodate you, your pets, and any other co-sleepers.

Is it safe to sleep on a SONU bed with my pets?

Yes! SONU’s mattresses are durable, comfortable, and safe for you and your pets. SONU’s beds come with a Comfort Channel that allows anyone who likes to sleep while cuddling to immerse their arms and shoulders into the mattresses for maximum comfort.

Sources

The Health and Mood-Boosting Benefits of Pets | HelpGuide.org

Sleeping with Pets: Benefits and Risks | Sleep Foundation

20 Pets That Like to Cuddle (With Pictures) | Pet Keen

Sleeping with Pets: Benefits and Risks | Sleep Foundation