Deep sleep is when the body rebuilds, repairs, and strengthens the immune system. Our data confirm what many have long suspected — pets may be good for our sleep. In fact, sharing the bed with a pet is associated with a significant increase in deep sleep.

This finding challenges some “opinion-based sleep advice” suggesting that pets disrupt rest. The Sleeptracker-AI dataset, drawn from a large population of single users, tells a different story: living with pets often enhances the quality of deep sleep. Women, in particular, appear to benefit even more than men, and the effect is consistent for both dogs and cats.

There may even be an evolutionary explanation. In prehistoric times, solitary humans had to stay alert throughout the night, listening for predators such as cave bears or saber-toothed tigers. With a canine companion standing guard, it would have been safer to let down one’s guard — and sleep more deeply. That ancient sense of trust and safety may still linger today, helping us rest more soundly beside our trusted furry friends.

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