Why Do Dogs Sleep On Pillows Like Humans? (Find Out Why Your Pup Steals Your Spot)

Okay, so I’ve been seeing something kinda cute and weird with my dog lately, and it got me thinking. You know how dogs sometimes do that thing where they sleep on your pillows? Yeah, mine’s been doing that a lot, and I wanted to figure out why. So I did a little digging and some experimenting of my own.

First, I went online and did a bit of searching to see what other people were saying. I read some stuff about how letting your dog on your pillow can make you closer and make them feel good. Then I found some more that mentioned how some dogs like to use pillows just like we do, you know, for comfort or just to rest their heads. Seemed pretty simple. Another thing I saw was that it might be because they like our smell, which makes them feel safe or something.

But I wasn’t just going to take the internet’s word for it. I wanted to see for myself.

So, I started by just watching my dog. Where did he usually sleep? When did he go for the pillows? I noticed he didn’t always do it, only sometimes.

• The first thing I noticed was that he seemed to do it more when I’d just gotten up. Like, the pillow was still warm and probably smelled like me.
• Then I tried leaving a shirt I’d worn on a different pillow. Guess what? He went for that one too!
• I also tried moving the pillows around, putting them in different spots in the room. He still found them and laid his head on them.

After doing all this, I’m pretty sure it’s a mix of things. It’s definitely about comfort. I mean, who doesn’t like a soft pillow? But I think the smell thing is a big part of it too. They like being close to us, and our pillows smell like us, so it’s probably comforting to them and it is a kind of safe feeling. Maybe it even reminds them of when they were puppies all snuggled up with their mom and siblings. The safety, comfort and the familiar scent, they are the main keys.

Anyway, it’s not a big deal or anything, but it was kind of interesting to figure out. Now, when I see him on my pillow, I just think it’s sweet. It’s like he just wants to be close to me, even when I’m not there. They are not human, but they are so smart and warm, we should try more to understand them.