I am one of those guys, you know, that lets his dog jump up on the bed or sofa while I am laying on it. And I am not alone, as proof can be found in the marketplace, where accessories abound to help dogs and cats get onto the bed — and keep peoples bedding cleaner.

The trend isn’t for everyone, however. Letting cats and dogs sleep in the bed has been suggested as one of many reasons why people have problems getting a good night’s sleep. If you have insomnia, you might consider getting your pet his own comfy bed and keeping yours for yourself. If you have allergies, or your pet has behavior problems, a no-pet bedroom is also recommended.

Otherwise, why not share? The way you raise your dog is up to you, but for me, I love my pet and treat them like a part of the family. It goes without saying that a dog must know its place, behind you in the pack. But if they respect that, there are few things more soothing after a long stressful day than relaxing on the sofa with my Labrador curled up next to me, petting him while he feels like the happiest dog in the world. It has been shown that people who have pets live longer, and that the act of petting a dog or cat actually lowers a persons blood pressure, so go for it!

I’ve always kept an eye out for sales on relatively inexpensive, washable cotton quilts to throw over the top of the bedding. I also use rubber-backed fuzzy bath mats on top of the quilts when older pets get leaky. For high beds and older pets, there’s even an easier way up: A number of manufacturers make pet-sized sets of steps to help aging or small animals get onto the bed or couch. Pet retailers have a wide selection to match your budget and decor.