In this post we’re going to answer a question we are regularly asked here, should you let your whippet sleep in your bed?
A whippet is a small, slender dog with an average weight of 25-45 pounds.
Because of their delicate build, they are predisposed to back problems, so it’s best not to let them jump around too much or sleep on hard surfaces.
This is why it’s crucial for you to have a comfortable dog bed for your whippet to sleep on at night.
But what about your bed? Should they be allowed to sleep on it?
Let’s find out…
Do Whippets Like Sleeping In Human Beds?
Whippets are gentle, affectionate dogs who love to cuddle and sleep with their favorite people.
As a consequence, it is no secret that they would love to spend the night in your bed, snuggling up against you for warmth and security.
However, if your whippet moves a lot during his sleep or tends to snore (yes they do sometimes snore) this could become problematic for you and your partner.
Whippets are also known for their wandering habit, waking up in the middle of the night and deciding to take a stroll around the house.
These dogs have a slim, slender build and not much body fat to keep them comfortable, which is why they hate sleeping on hard surfaces.
Your warm, comfortable bed will seem like heaven to your whippet. So yes, they will love to sleep in your bed when they are allowed.
Can Your Whippet Jump On And Off Your Bed?
A young, healthy whippet has the capability to jump over 6-feet high, meaning your bed will be no match to stop them jumping up on there.
However, if you own an elderly or puppy, you may find that they are unable to jump onto your bed, and this could be dangerous for them if they are unable to do so.
For this reason, I would advise not allowing elderly or puppies to sleep in your bed with you as they may injure themselves in the process.
Can They Fit On A Bed?
Whippets are small dogs, and they can easily fit on a bed. So if you have a king-size bed, then your whippet will be able to lay on that without an issue.
The chances of you even feeling your whippet if you have a king-size is slim, so if you’re happy for them to sleep in your bed with you then there should be no issues.
If you have a single bed, it may not be the best idea to allow your whippet to sleep with you as you’ll constantly feel them wriggling around and this may disturb your sleep.
Does Your Whippet Need A Better Dog Bed?
If you find that your whippet constantly wants to keep being on the couch or in your bed, it may be because their dog bed is not comfortable enough for them.
Whippets aren’t one of the breeds that will cry and whine to get your attention, but they do enjoy having a nice place to rest.
The best way to ensure that your whippet has a comfortable dog bed is to invest in a high-quality orthopedic dog bed.
Check out the best dog beds for whippets here!
Yes, these will cost you slightly more money but the value in having a comfortable dog bed is that they likely won’t want to be on your couch and in your bed all of the time.
Does Your Whippet Listen If You Ask Them To Get Off The Bed?
Some whippets are really good about getting off the couch or bed when you ask them to, but some are not.
If your whippet is one of those that does not listen to you, it may be because they simply do not want to get down and would rather stay there with you.
This can become problematic because if your whippet has the habit of getting on the bed with you, they may not listen to you when it comes to staying off of it.
If this is an issue that you are having, try placing them in their crate or pen every night before bedtime so that they learn that there are boundaries.
If your whippet has a comfortable dog bed and is trained, they’ll likely be more than happy to jump off the bed when you ask them to.
If this is the case, it makes it much easier for you to allow your whippet on the bed every now and again as a treat.
Things To Consider
There are some things to consider before you go and let your whippet hop on your bed, see below;
Allergies
If you’re like me and suffer from allergies, the last thing you’ll want to do is allow your whippet to sleep in your bed.
Whippets are not hypoallergenic dogs which means if you suffer from allergies there’s a high chance that your whippet will set them off, especially if they are sleeping in your bed.
If you have allergies please don’t allow your whippet to sleep in your bed, as you’ll likely wake up with red, itchy eyes and not feeling great.
Wear & Tear
Although whippets are small and don’t take up much space, it’s worth considering the added wear and tear on your bed your whippet may cause.
Whippets have nails that can make quick work of your mattress if your not careful, and they also shed.
Shedding is not something to worry about in the short term, but if you plan on having your whippet sleep in your bed for years to come, then regular vacuuming of your mattress will be necessary.
Accessibility
Another point is that it can be difficult for smaller or older owners to get into and out of your bed, especially when your whippet is sleeping in it.
As mentioned above, you don’t want to accidentally injure your whippet by allowing them to sleep in your bed, they may jump off and hurt their legs.
Peaceful Sleeping
If you’re a light sleeper, it may be a good idea to avoid having your whippet sleep in your bed with you, especially if you sleep in a smaller-sized bed.
If you feel like you can’t sleep while your whippet is in bed with you, it may be a good idea to keep them out of your bed.
Your Partner
Although you may want your whippet to sleep in your bed with you, your partner may not.
They may have allergies or be light sleepers, so your whippet in the bed may disturb them.
You’ll need to consider how they feel about it before making the decision to allow your whippet to sleep in your bed.
Stains
If your whippet has ever had an accident in the bed, whether it was pee or poop, then you may want to avoid letting them sleep in your bed.
It may be difficult to get rid of the odor and stains if this occurs, and you may find yourself washing your bed sheets every single time and being anxious about having them in your bed.
Mattress Topper
Some people put a mattress topper on their bed, which is a piece of material that goes over the top of your mattress.
If you think about it, this is essentially putting a sheet on the bed – only instead of using a sheet, you’re using something that would repel moisture and can be washed.
Should You Let Your Whippet Sleep In Your Bed?
So, should you let your whippet sleep in your bed?
This is completely up to you, if you feel that you’re happy for your whippet to sleep in bed with you on occasion then this is absolutely fine, as long as they are trained and will listen when you ask them to get off.
However, if you don’t want your whippet to sleep in bed with you full time, this is absolutely fine too.
It’s not something that I could personally imagine doing – I can’t see myself giving up my entire queen-size mattress for a dog – but it’s completely understandable why people might feel comfortable sleeping with their whippet.
Final Thoughts
It’s entirely up to you if your whippet sleeps in the bed with you, either occasionally or on a full-time basis.
No one can tell you what to do and it’s not something that will impact how much you love your dog.
If this is something you feel comfortable doing then no one should judge you for allowing your pooch in your bed.
Whippets are known to be very cuddly dogs, so if your dog is the kind that likes to snuggle up to you then it’s completely natural for you to feel comfortable letting him sleep next to you.
However, sleeping together doesn’t make a huge difference in terms of whether or not you love your dog – what matters is if you and your partner feel the same about the situation.
If you and your partner no longer want to share a bed but would like your dog to sleep in yours then that’s okay too.
So, should you let your whippet sleep in your bed? The answer is that it doesn’t really matter what anyone thinks.
Hopefully, this post has helped you decide whether or not you’re going to allow your whippet to sleep in the bed with you.
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Hello. I’m Luke- the founder of WhippetCentral. I’m somewhat of a whippet nut and have been for most of my life. In that time, I’ve owned and raised numerous whippets. Bonnie is my latest girl; she is currently eight years old and keeps me very busy! Understanding the need for whippet-specific content, I decided to create this blog to share what I have learned and to share my expertise regarding owning and raising whippets – the right way!