This commentary was originally published by Salt Lake Tribune on January 11, 2026.
As a sleep researcher, clinician and book author who specializes in couples and sleep, I am frequently asked whether it is “bad” for couples to sleep in separate beds. Underlying this question is often an implicit request for reassurance, even permission, to pursue what’s sometimes called a “sleep divorce” for the sake of health and well-being. When I explain that separate beds can sometimes be an adaptive, healthy solution for partners struggling with mismatched sleep needs or disruptive nocturnal habits, most people are surprisingly receptive.
However, the conversation takes a notable turn if I gently suggest that the owners might sleep better if the family pet had its own bed. Suddenly, resistance surfaces in a way it rarely does with discussions about human partners. In many households, sharing a bed with a dog or cat is a deeply cherished ritual, one that can be hard to challenge.
National survey data reveal that nearly half of pet owners share their beds with their animals. And Utah, in particular, ranks among the top states for pet ownership, with 58.5 percent of households owning a pet, well above the national average.
Nearly half of pet owners share their beds with their animals.
There’s a profound sense of comfort in the companionship pets provide at night. The presence of a pet at night can fulfill very real psychological needs for safety, comfort and connection—a legacy that is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history.
Yet, it’s important to acknowledge the scientific evidence that shows there are real trade-offs when it comes to sharing a bed with a pet—and that trade-off is good quality sleep. About one-third of Americans “always or often” experience sleep disruption due to…