National study says those who sleep with pets are sick more often

A new study to be published next week finds owners who sleep alongside their pets have a higher risk of getting sick.

According to the study, more than 60 percent of American households have a pet, and 14 to 62 percent let their dogs and cats sleep with them

Publicized in Monday's USA Today, the article quotes Bruno Chomel, a professor at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Chomel's study will be published in Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal next week.

According to Chomel, the bubonic plague, chagas disease and cat scratch disease can all be attributed to sleeping with pets.

William Unger, a freshman general studies major, said his cat, Mr. Kitty, isn't allowed to sleep on his bed.

"I think it's unnecessary," Unger said. "If they have anything they carry on their fur, we can contract it."

Most students however, say there is nothing wrong with having their dog or cat nestled in their bed.

Joshua Raymond, a West Virginia University senior exercise physiology senior, currently owns a pitbull named Pacha and said he doesn't see any harm in his dog.

"I don't think that my dog is diseased," he said. "I think that study is meaningless. People do way worse things than sleep with their pets, like share water bottles with other people. I'll take my chances with my dog."

Lauren Cipperly, a junior fashion design and merchandising major, said her cat, Tabby, doesn't sleep with her, but if she did, it would be harmless.

John Dixon, a senior multidisciplinary studies major, said of he has no fear of sleeping beside his dog, Trigger.

"I don't see a problem with having my dog sleep near me," Dixon said. "I keep my dog clean; it's called bathing your dog."

Christina Cowan, a freshman exercise physiology major, said her dog, Abby, is easier to sleep with because she is a puppy.

"I don't even think it's possible to contract a disease from a pet," she said.