Many dogs and cats enjoy the luxury of sleeping in their owners' beds, but there are conflicting views about whether it should be allowed by people who have sleep problems or allergies.

While there are some benefits to snoozing with a pet, there are also disadvantages that should be considered, as well.

Man's best friend is often a great sleeping companion for some people, but experts say that owners should weigh the pros and cons before getting into bed with their pets.

According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, nearly half of dogs and over 60 percent of cats sleep in their owners' beds.

Dogs and cats can create a sense of safety and comfort for people, allowing them a better night's sleep. Often times, the rhythmic heart beat and breathing from the animal helps a person to fall asleep, as well.

Pet dander, pet hair, and dirt in the bed can trigger allergies for some. For those who suffer allergies and asthma, a person should not allow pets to sleep in their bed or even in the bedroom in order to give the person's body a few hours of recovery from their allergic reaction.

People who refuse to kick the pet out despite the allergies can sometimes turn to allergy shots to sometimes help build a tolerance.

But, it's never a good idea for a pet to sleep in the same bed as an infant, and a parent should have an animal evaluated to make sure it is safe to sleep with a child.