Avoid bed sharing with pets, scientists warn
25/01/2011
Pets should not be allowed to sleep in the same bed as their owners, as they could be putting their health at risk, a team of experts have revealed.
Researchers from the University of California's School of Veterinary Medicine found that as many as 100 diseases suffered by pets can be transferred to humans.
Among them is chagas disease, which can lead to life-threatening heart and digestive system problems.
Bruno Chomel, a professor at the school, commented: "In many countries, pets have become substitutes for childbearing and child care, sometimes leading to excessive pet care."
He added that pet owners need to listen to these warnings, even if the instances of disease are not very common.
This follows research conducted at the University of Lubeck, which showed that sleep is essential for helping people to develop memories, as their thoughts are not disrupted by other goings-on.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
