Is it okay to let pets sleep in your bed? Experts weigh in

Polls show big cultural differences in whether pets are allowed in their owners’ beds. But with risks ranging from lost sleep to parasite exposure, what do experts say about when a furry bedtime companion is harmless – and when it’s better to keep them off the covers? — Photo: Nicolas Armer/dpa

Does your dog get to sleep on your bed? That probably depends on which country you live in, as polls suggest numbers vary greatly from place to place.

In Germany, around one in three pets are allowed to sleep on their owners' bed, significantly more than in Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy, a YouGov poll showed.