Why do dogs sleep under the covers? Here’s what experts say
You like to believe that your fur baby gets under the blankets just to get closer to you…and you may be partially right. Because dogs are pack animals, feeling the touch of a family member while sleeping can be the ultimate form of comfort and warmth. Your presence lets them know they’re protected and part of the pack, even if they only snuggle up when they feel anxious. This may feel especially comforting for pups who grew up with their siblings—just think about puppy piles.
Snuggling under the covers has instinctual roots, too. Not long ago, dogs and wolves were born, raised, and sheltered in dens or caves, so it’s easy to see why your pup might feel cozy in a small space of their own.
Canine behaviorist Clarissa Fallis explains that certain breeds might be even more likely to burrow. Small hunting breeds like dachshunds and beagles “tend to mimic their innate behavior of flushing out small animals from tunnels by burrowing.” She goes on to explain, “Larger burrowers, like Huskies, live in extreme temperatures that make the instinct to burrow under the snow crucial for staying warm.”
Whether your fur baby is actually cold, anxious, or just used to a routine of denning behavior, burrowing is generally not a cause for concern. Of course, there are a few safety precautions you can take to make it the best experience possible.
In addition, sleeping under the covers can help certain fearful dogs or dogs with anxiety to feel safer and more calm. Lastly, if you have a short-haired dog that tends to slip under the covers during the colder seasons it’s most probable that he is just cold, however it doesn’t rule out the possibility of him having the instinctual desire to burrow. Even in the warmer months, most dogs just love laying under desks, tables, or self-made holes in the backyard.
Whether or not you should encourage your dog to sleep under the covers or not largely depends on the type of dog you have and his behavior until now. If your dog has been cuddling up with you under the covers for a few years now and was always able to manage to get out from underneath the covers whenever he was oxygen deprived, then forbidding it now would only confuse him – as it would be a drastic change for him and a hard one to understand. However, if you have some concerns and for whatever reason, you think it is best for your dog to not sleep under the covers, instead of forbidding it, try to encourage your four-legged friend to sleep half-covered or on the outside of the covers. If you have a smaller dog, you need to be more careful about the bed privileges. Make sure the covers are not too heavy as they might prevent the dog from being able to get out in case of discomfort or lack of air. It is safest for small dogs to sleep at your feet or in their own doggy bed with a light blanket. This would still enable the smaller breeds like Dachshunds or Chihuahuas (who are big fans of burrowing) to live out their instinct while remaining safe and thus enabling you to get a peaceful night of sleep.
It turns out that your dog’s adorable preference of sleeping under the covers or burrowing into blankets is a natural instinct, similar to that of moles and groundhogs, and it is present in most dogs. It comes from the fact that their ancestors were born and raised in dens, a mammals sheltered home. The behavior is especially common in Terriers and Dachshunds as these breeds were known to be avid hunters of smaller prey that either travelled through tunnels or had dens underground. The behavior can also be seen in Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies as their ancestors burrowed into snow for warmth and as a way to camouflage themselves and remain hidden from predators. However, instead of staying in their dens all year round like moles and groundhogs, dogs don’t usually spend more than a couple of hours buried underneath the covers. They either get too hot or don’t feel comfortable with the amount of air over a longer period of time. Companionship is another reason. Dogs are pack animals and it is in their nature to sleep in a pile, especially during their puppyhood. A puppy litter always finds a way to stay together, cuddled and by each others side for as long as it is possible. It comes as no surprise then that your dog loves laying by your side and occasionally snoozing under the covers. It is a sign of affection and your dog’s way of showing you that he cares about you. By sleeping next to you and protecting you throughout the night he lets you know he considers you a member of the pack.
One of the most adorable behaviors in dogs is seeing them wrap and tuck themselves into blankets until they look like a burrito of coziness. Do they do it to look cute because they know what aww-inducing effect it will have on us or do they snuggle for warmth, shelter and a sense of security? Or maybe, they just want to be where you are. After all, if it is safe enough for you to sleep here – maybe it is enough to let them feel that safety as well. But, should you allow it? Is it safe for your dog to sleep under the covers and doesn’t your dog need boundaries?
If you’re concerned about suffocating your dog while they sleep under the covers next to you – don’t be. Most dogs react instantly to being hot, uncomfortable, or not having enough air and will manage to wiggle out from under the covers. However, if your dog is either a heavy sleeper or small (either by breed or age), and you think he might not have the strength to get out, he should not be sleeping under the covers. Instead, get him a cozy doggy bed next to your bed with some blankets of his own.
Pack animals, like dogs, know that their choice of sleeping quarters can be a matter of life or death. Their den is one of their most values resources. The snugness of the sheets can promote feelings of safety and refuge as well. Most of all, our dogs want to be under the sheets because that is where WE are and the safest place is always with your family.
When your dog is tucked away under the sheets, she feels surrounded, even swaddled and feeling firm pressure has been suggested to improve brain chemistry for anxious dogs.1 Certain breeds of dogs will even seem to prefer to burrow for entertainment. Think of the terrier type dog and the Dachshund whose long body was originally an advantage for climbing in tight burrows. The pressure of the sheets snug around your dog probably makes her brain release happy chemicals that give her a sense of security and well-being and maybe even fun.
Does your dog love to bury himself under your covers to sleep? Many dogs do. It is fun to think about why they might do this seemingly very human thing. If we consider the way a dog sees life, it is easy to imagine why he tucks himself in at night.
Animals depend on the concept of resources. Resources are things like food, water, and shelter. Your bed represents a shelter or den to your dog. Since the bed is a place where he regularly goes, it is marked with his scent and it is part of his routine. He instinctively crawls into his den as a happy and safe zone. Under the covers may feel like the inner sanctum of his den to him- the safest of the safe.
Your presence also gives your dog that feeling of support which he craves as an animal evolved to function in a pack or family unit. He knows that you feel safe enough to retreat there for sleep and you are a valued friend, family member, and mentor. You have marked the area as a safe zone and you spend a good portion of your time there. As members of a pack, you share responsibility for raising an alarm and protecting each other. Being near you when you sleep is very natural to your dog.
Should Your Dog Sleep With You In Bed (under the covers)? – Dog Health Vet Advice
Does your dog love to bury himself under your covers to sleep? Many dogs do. It is fun to think about why they might do this seemingly very human thing. If we consider the way a dog sees life, it is easy to imagine why he tucks himself in at night.
Animals depend on the concept of resources. Resources are things like food, water, and shelter. Your bed represents a shelter or den to your dog. Since the bed is a place where he regularly goes, it is marked with his scent and it is part of his routine. He instinctively crawls into his den as a happy and safe zone. Under the covers may feel like the inner sanctum of his den to him- the safest of the safe.
When your dog is tucked away under the sheets, she feels surrounded, even swaddled and feeling firm pressure has been suggested to improve brain chemistry for anxious dogs.1 Certain breeds of dogs will even seem to prefer to burrow for entertainment. Think of the terrier type dog and the Dachshund whose long body was originally an advantage for climbing in tight burrows. The pressure of the sheets snug around your dog probably makes her brain release happy chemicals that give her a sense of security and well-being and maybe even fun.
Your presence also gives your dog that feeling of support which he craves as an animal evolved to function in a pack or family unit. He knows that you feel safe enough to retreat there for sleep and you are a valued friend, family member, and mentor. You have marked the area as a safe zone and you spend a good portion of your time there. As members of a pack, you share responsibility for raising an alarm and protecting each other. Being near you when you sleep is very natural to your dog.
Pack animals, like dogs, know that their choice of sleeping quarters can be a matter of life or death. Their den is one of their most values resources. The snugness of the sheets can promote feelings of safety and refuge as well. Most of all, our dogs want to be under the sheets because that is where WE are and the safest place is always with your family.