There is historical evidence that sleeping with pets is not necessarily aberrant behavior. According to The International Encyclopedia of Dogs, the xoloitzquintli, or Mexican hairless, was used in pre-Aztec Mexico as both pet and bed warmer. An account from a 19th - century explorer in Australia, as quoted in The Domestic Dog , describes how Aborigines were so devoted to their dingoes that the dogs were treated as members of the family and allowed to sleep in the hut.

But here's the good news. My unscientific survey of veterinary behaviorists concluded that as long as your pets are good at sleeping with you, it's just fine to sleep with them. Pets are not going to get any uppity ideas just because you're all snoring together, they say.

Source: slate.msn.com

If you do share your bed with your pet, you are probably aware of some of the challenges that this brings. Pet hair, dirt, odors, germs, can all contaminate your mattress.

A new mattress, HealthSmart™ Bed, offers a unique design that helps prevents the contamination of the mattress. Pet hair, spills and other debris are confined to the HealthSmart™ mattress top which can be removed and washed to create a healthy sleep environment.