One of my cats woke me up too early this morning. It’s something normal in my house, where two cats rule. I often wonder how such small creatures can cause so much chaos at night. I love them but I must admit that from time to time that’s why it’s hard drag me out of bed in the morning.

Even with the oxytocin What I get from cuddling them is that sometimes it’s hard to sleep well with them in my bed. If you feel like you have to choose between your pet and the quality of your sleep, you’re in luck. I’ve rounded up top tips from CNET’s sleep and wellness experts that could save your sleep.

Show them which part of the bed is for them

When my cats were younger, they slept anywhere their little bodies would fit. It was cute, until I found myself contorting my body to avoid them and waking up just to make sure I didn’t accidentally kick them out of bed. I never knew where they would be, which ended up having a big impact on me. ability to sleep. Kicking them out of the room was not an option: they would join forces to try to break down the door.

If this sounds familiar, try putting a blanket at the end of the bed just for your cats. I folded a wool blanket (we all know cats can’t resist them) and placed it on the edge of the bed. They immediately gravitated towards it and now always sleep at the end of the bed. The blanket is not even necessary anymore. Establishing which part of the bed is for them has greatly improved the quality of my sleep.

However, when it’s not time to sleep, they wander everywhere.

Train your dog when to be in bed

When it comes to pets in bed, there are generally two camps: either they are allowed or they are not. There are many good reasons. Do not let your pet sleep in your bed.. In addition to sleep interruptions, expose your bed to dandruff, allergens and possible parasites such as ticks.

That said, if you’re like Dillon Paynevideo production director, you may start out with the best intentions, but your dog will still end up in bed.

“Hershey, our adorable golden retriever, loves to lie in bed with us. When we first trained her, she was supposed to be a ‘no couch, no bed’ type dog. But unfortunately, her cuteness floored me and I doubled over,” Payne says.

Payne recommends training your dog to know when he should and should not be in bed.

“She knows when to be in bed for a cuddle and when it’s time to separate and sleep in our own beds. Often, I’ll leave my office to find her lying face down on the bed, not knowing how well she’s doing.” the life he has and I want to keep it that way,” adds Payne.

Create a designated sleeping space for your pet

Among the many peculiarities of cats is their natural preference for high places. It comes from your instinct to protect yourself. TO the high position allows to detect any danger before it gets too close.

“My cat Jessica would lay right on top of my head every night and steal my pillow,” says the dream writer. Aly Lopez.

“I started to slide down the bed and put a extra pillow above my head specifically for her to lie down on, and it has helped me quite a bit. “He still wakes me up when he enthusiastically bathes at 3 in the morning, but at least he’s not directly in my face anymore,” López adds.

Alternatively, some people take pillow stacking a step further and install shelves or wall brackets above the bed for their feline friends.

Cover your bedding when you are not sleeping.

From interrupting your sleep to triggering your allergies In addition to spilling all your pretty bedding, sometimes it’s best for puppies to sleep in their own beds. But that doesn’t mean they don’t go to bed during the day, as the editor claims. carolina igo explains.

Igo keeps his comforter and sheets white and reduces dog hair from his black Labs by placing an old comforter on his bed during the day. “I have two black labs and white bedding… It’s possible, I promise.”

If you’re considering trying this tactic to reduce dog hair, Igo recommends using a duvet cover instead of a quilt because they are easier to wash. “Even though I have less dog hair on my bed, I end up washing my bedding once a week,” Igo adds.

Have them go to bed when you go to bed.

I often emphasize the importance of a bedtime routine If someone asks me how to sleep better. Our bodies love routine, and if you stick to your routine every nightYou will naturally get more tired as you go through the movements. And it turns out that routines don’t just work for people; Pets benefit from them too.

“I always feel guilty about leaving my cats out of the room at night (which is the best tip I have for better sleep with pets), but I found that if cats come into the room at bedtime, it’s better to take them out. lie down and get comfortable,” explains the editorial director. Erica Devaney,

“That way, they’ll already be sleeping when we do, and they won’t wake me up by coming later and walking all over me,” Devaney adds.

Invest in an automatic feeder

Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active in the early morning and evening. Hence their feeding schedule is a little different from ours. One of the main reasons cats wake up their owners is hunger.

Interrupt regularly your progression through sleep stages It can affect everything from the brain to physical health and mental well-being. So if your cat wakes you up at night to eat, it is essential that you do something about it. An automatic feeder is an easy and effective way to ensure that your cat does not disturb its sleep.

“My cat likes to eat breakfast at 6:00 am sharp every day. Naturally, he meows and scratches at my door in the mornings to let me know it’s time to eat until I wake up. That’s why I have some late breakfast. nighttime snack settings for her during the night so she can get her treats without waking me up. The feeder automatically dispenses snacks at 2 a.m. (right when her buzzes kick in!),” says the editor-in-chief. Nasha Addarich Martínez.

Tire your dog during the day

Aerobic exercises before bed can help us sleep better because they release endorphins to reduce stress and start the thermoregulation Sleeping process. Light exercise before bed, like yogaIt is one of my recommendations for people who need help falling asleep at night.

like like exercising can help you sleep bettercan have the same effect for your pup. The amount of exercise they need depends on their breed and health, although scheduling a walk or playtime before bed can be an effective way to tire them out before bed.

“I’ve found that on days when I’m not doing as much physical activity with my dog ​​Annie or taking her on shorter walks, she may not be ready to go to sleep when I’m at night and will want to play,” says writer Jessica Rendal.

“Whether it’s an extra long walk at night, more time playing with her toys if the weather is bad, or even climbing flights of stairs in our apartment complex (Annie loves steps for some reason), getting her to sniff and move her little legs help knock us both out at bedtime,” adds Rendall.

Your pet doesn’t have to ruin your sleep. With a little intention and effort, you can get all the benefits of sleeping next to your pet without accepting poor sleep.