Should my Frenchie sleep in my bed or not is a question that is very often asked with a little fear of judgement and indecision. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to sleep in the same bed with your Frenchie. If you’d like your Frenchie to sleep in your bed, the feeling is likely mutual as French Bulldogs crave human attention and companionship.

We consider our dogs part of the family; and when it comes to decisions like this. There is no right or wrong. There’s only what you prefer and what works for your family. Cuddling up with your furry friend feels good, especially because when it comes to cuddles, they are more than willing to oblige. 

However, sleeping with your Frenchie can come with a few snags you may want to know about. In this article, we’ll highlight and discuss the pros and cons of sleeping with your canine buddy as well as a few tips to a well rested night together. 

Why Does Your Frenchie want to sleep in bed with you?

• French Bulldogs are extremly social and crave human companionship.
• Your Frenchie see's you as the pack leader and feels safer around you.
• Your French Bulldog wants to protect you while you sleep.
• We all know Frenchies love sunbathing. For the same conserving body heat reasons they will often prefer your bed over their own.
• Your Frenchie knows your bed is a warm and cozy spot and they prefer your bed.
  
• Your Frenchie loves you.

Pros and cons of sleeping with your Frenchie 

Sleeping with your Frenchie can be both beneficial and disadvantageous in unexpected ways. It is still up for debate whether some of these are truly beneficial or not. But it very largely depends on you and your individual circumstances. Here are few things to keep in mind:

Sleep Quality

Potential problem 

Dogs are light sleepers because they are always on the alert and this may be an inconvenience to owners who are also light sleepers. They may be consistently startled awake by their Frenchie’s movement around the bed. Others could be annoyed when they are unable to go back to sleep due to their Frenchie’s snoring. This lack of sleep could make one cranky and one may wake up still tired. 

Potential solution

Rather than have your Frenchie sleep on the same bed with you, perhaps you could settle for them being in the same room. Training your dog to sleep at the foot of your bed or keeping a dog bed beside your own could be a potential solution to the sleep disruption. If after a night with your Frenchie in your bed, you wake up refreshed and are not tired, your Frenchie is a good sleeping buddy and you likely have no problems. 

Your Health and Allergies 

Potential problem 

Some people are allergic to dogs and continuous prolonged close contact to dogs could expose them to dandruff from dogs that may be allergenic. Even people who are not allergic to dogs are at a risk of increased allergic symptoms when they sleep on the same bed with their dogs. When Frenchies go out to potty, they can carry allergens like dust and pollen into your bed and long after they leave, these allergens may still linger. Bacteria and parasites can also spread from dogs to humans through scratches, bites, licking the face or licking an open wound. Although, in the US, the risk of getting a disease from sleeping with your Frenchie is low, the most risk comes from fleas, ticks and ringworm. 

Potential solution 

Wiping your Frenchie down with a slightly damp towel before he or she comes inside is good practice. This will help to reduce significantly the amount of dust and pollen he carries inside the house. You could bathe your Frenchie using HEPA filters and frequently wash your bed sheets. You can also use organic Frenchie dog pajamas to reduce shedding and allergies and your exposure to these environmental allergens. Your dog can only spread bacteria and parasites to you if they have it. Keeping your Frenchie clean and in great health will eliminate the possibility of getting a disease from your dog. Restrict your Frenchie from licking an open wound. 

Your French Bulldog’s Health

Potential Problem 

If you’d like your dog to sleep with you but your dog has joint issues like arthritis, climbing your bed can be difficult. And, due to the fact that soft beds do not support ageing joints well; your Frenchie could prefer to be on a solid surface, low on the ground. In addition, older dogs may become unable to control their retention of urine and thus wet the bed.

Potential Solutions 

You should be able to carry your Frenchie to your bed, or you can provide doggie ramp to your bed. Dog ramps are made especially for pets so you do not have to worry about them falling off. Although, you shouldn’t leave your Frenchie unsupervised. You could also place some doggie pads on the bed or use dog diapers if your pet wets the bed.

Benefits of Allowing Your Frenchie Sleep with You 

For many people, their Frenchie provides a sense of safety and comfort. If such people are heavy sleepers, this is understandable. Knowing that their Frenchie is on guard and will warn them of any nighttime emergency may help them rest better. 

Your Frenchie could help relieve stress and anxiety. They foster social and emotional connections which can improve your mood and overall mental health. This study found that human to animal interactions may help with stress-related factors like cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure. 

Does Your Frenchie Want to Sleep with You? 

French Bulldogs absolutely love their owners and will do almost anything to please them. But sometimes, your Frenchie may not want to sleep in the same bed with you. at least not all the time anyway. Your Frenchie is at risk of overheating. So, he might not want to get into bed with you or remain in bed you. He may prefer to lie on a cool floor or just sleep in his crate. 

Sometimes, Frenchie dogs like to change sleeping quarters several times a night. They may start out in their own bed, then the kitchen floor, then the bathroom rug and probably back to their bed. While some Frenchies do want to sleep on the bed, but alone. 

There’s little or no evidence to support the theory that allowing your Frenchie in your bed will make them feel dominant. However, they may growl and bark if you approach the bed. This means they see the bed as their territory to be guarded. Consistent training will help break this habit. 

Should My Frenchie Sleep in My Bed? 

With all of the information we’ve provided here, you now have all you need to make an informed decision and do what is best for you and your canine friend. If you’re planning to share your bed with your Frenchie, here are some tips to help you both sleep better at night:

• Walk your dog before bed, just a little walk in cool weather to help them feel relaxed.
• Train them to wait for permission to get on the bed.
• Be consistent with rules. French Bulldogs love burrowing in blankets and under the sheets, if you don’t want them to do this, make no exceptions. Frenchies get cold at night which may be a reason for the burrowing so if you are discouraging that, there should be another option to keep them warm like Frenchie dog clothing.
  
• Discourage any aggressive behavior by removing them from the bed immediately. Show that the bed is a partnership and they are to act accordingly.
• Always visit the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations.
  
• Deworm and use preventive flea and tick treatments.
• Do not forget to change your bed sheets regularly and wash your hands after cleaning up your Frenchie.

Here is a video showing what its like sharing your bed with 3 pugs! 

Are you ready to share your bed with your Frenchie?

A good night’s sleep should come easier now. As always consult your vet for their opinion on any Frenchie-related matters including this one. If you’d like more information on what is best for you and your Frenchie please sign up to our Frenchie Blog. We have fresh innovative content for you that will answer any questions you might have.