One of my cats woke me up too early this morning. It’s a normal occurrence in my house, where two cats rule. I often wonder how they can create such small creatures to cause such chaos at night. I love them, but I have to admit that every now and then they are the reason it’s hard pull me out of bed morning.

Even with oxytocin I benefit from their caress, sometimes it’s a struggle to sleep well with them on my bed. If you feel like you have to choose between your pet and the quality of your sleep, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up the top tips from CNET’s sleep and wellness experts that just might save your sleep.

Teach them which side of the bed is for them

When my cats were younger, they slept wherever 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 knock them off the bed. I never knew where they would be, which ended up having a big impact on me the ability to sleep. Kicking them out of the room wasn’t an option — they joined forces to try to break down the door.

If this sounds familiar, try placing a blanket at the end of the bed just for your cats. woolen blanket (we all know cats can’t resist them) and placed it over the edge of the bed. They immediately gravitated to her and now always sleep at the end of the bed. The blanket is no longer necessary either. Determining which side of the bed is for them has greatly improved my sleep quality.

However, when it’s not bedtime, they roam everywhere.

Train your dog to be on the bed

When it comes to pets in bed, there are generally two camps: either they’re allowed or they’re not. There are plenty of good reasons. don’t let your pet sleep on your bed. In addition to sleep disruptions, they expose your bed to hair, allergens and potential parasites such as ticks.

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

“Hershey, our adorable golden retriever, loves laying on the bed with us. When I first trained her, she was supposed to be a “no couch, no bed” kind of dog. Payne says.

Payne recommends training your dog to understand when he should or shouldn’t be on the bed.

“He knows when to be on the bed to cuddle with us and when it’s time to separate and sleep in our own beds. Many times, I come out of my office and find her lying upside down on the bed, not knowing how well. a life it has and I want to keep it that way,” adds Payne.

Create a designated sleeping space for your pet

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

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

“I started getting into bed and putting a extra pillow above my head specifically for her to lie on and it helped 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,” adds Lopez.

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

Cover your bedding when you are not sleeping

From sleep interruption to triggering your allergies to throw all over your nice bedding, sometimes it’s better for the pups to sleep in their own beds. But that doesn’t mean they won’t climb into bed during the day as an editor Caroline Igo explain.

Igo maintains her white duvet and sheets and trims dog hair from her black labs, placing an older comforter over her bed during the day. “I have two black labs and white bedding… It’s possible, I promise.”

If you’re thinking of trying this dog hair trimming tactic, Igo recommends using a duvet cover instead of comforter because they are easier to wash. “While I’m dealing with less dog hair in my bed, I still end up washing my bedding once a week,” adds Igo.

Have them lie down 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 it routine every nightyou will naturally become more tired as you go through the motions. And it turns out that routines don’t just work for humans; pets benefit from them too.

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

“That way, they’re already settled and asleep when we are, and you don’t wake me up coming in later and walking on top of me,” Devaney adds.

Invest in an automatic feeder

Cats are crepuscular, which means they are most active in the morning and at dusk. Therefore, their feeding schedule is a little different from ours. One of the main reasons cats wake their owners is hunger

Regular interruption your progression through sleep stages it can affect everything from the brain to physical health and mental well-being. So if your cat is waking you up at night for food, it’s essential that you do something about it. The automatic feeder is an easy and effective way to ensure that your cat does not disturb your sleep.

“My cat likes breakfast at 6:00 every day on the dot. Of course she will meow and scratch my door in the morning to let me know it’s time to eat until I wake up. That’s why I have some late… Nighttime snack settings for her during the night so she can have her treats without waking me up. The feeder automatically gives him snacks at 2am (right when his zoomies are launched!),” says the managing editor. Nasha Addarich Martinez.

Tire your dog during the day

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

How would it be exercise can help you sleep betterit can have the same effect on your pup. How much exercise they need depends on their breed and health, although planning 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 don’t give my dog ​​Annie as much physical activity or shorter walks, she may not be ready to go to bed when I am at night and will want to play “says the writer Jessica Rendall.

“Whether it’s a very long walk in the evening, more playtime to throw her toys if the weather is bad, or even walking up the stairs in our apartment complex (Annie loves the steps for some reason), to -getting him to sniff and move his little legs helps 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 putting up with poor sleep.