Gen Z shuns sofas for ‘human pet beds’
Keeping your dog from treading muddy paws all over the sofa is an age-old problem. But now the tables may be turning as animals across the country could soon be facing a new issue: keeping the human off the pet bed.
Retailers are stocking up on human-sized plushies amid a social media trend in which members of Gen Z curl up inside giant pet beds.
Lidl’s £69.99 offering “provides an ultra-soft safe haven for shoppers looking to level-up their lounging and revitalise their reading nooks. Whether cuddling up with a partner or snuggling solo, the washable crib comes complete with a high-grade foam mattress, making it the perfect addition to sleepovers, movie nights, and more”.
Debenhams’ slightly pricier £149.99 version boasts it will “maximise comfort and promote a sense of security”.
The bizarre new trend is also ideal for cosying up with a pet, with two-thirds of pet owners saying they would rather cuddle with their dog or cat than their partner.
Online searches for “human pet beds” have increased by 53 per cent.
Trend may improve well-being
Unsurprisingly for a generation known for their liking of a “quiet weekend”, Gen Z has embraced the trend.
In some cases, pets are even replacing human partners altogether. Cuddling her cat Paquito in bed, Andrea, who has over a million TikTok followers, said: “I never thought I would find my soulmate in a cat. Yet here we are.”
Lidl is launching its Silentnight Cosy Cuddles Snuggle Pod next week. It includes a high-grade foam mattress as well as a removable cover, washable fabric and waterproof material.
The new trend may even have some real benefits, helping to improve your well-being, according to Priya Sher, a Feng Shui consultant.
She said: “A human pet bed that is positioned well can provide a calming cosy spot which can help to reduce stress ... It’s important that the energy can flow without any obstruction so that it can nourish the occupants.”
‘Appeal in cuddling dogs on the floor’
For Claire Bailey, a retail consultant, the human pet bed trend taps into the unique relationship humans have with dogs. She says dogs have historically provided not only protection but also companionship and warmth, and the new bed is a natural extension of treating them as members of the family.
Pet lovers may also have an ulterior motive for purchasing these beds. Esther Shaw, a dog lover, said she was “trying hard to not allow [her] dogs on the sofa so there’s appeal in being able to cuddle them on the floor”.
The idea behind the human pet bed was first presented in 2022 on Shark Tank, a US business reality show based on Dragon’s Den, by Yuki Kinoshita and Noah Silverman. At the time, the sharks needed some convincing. Emma Grede, one of the sharks, said: “I don’t understand who is buying this product.” In spite of this, the entrepreneurs ended up with a $200,000 investment.
But before dog owners rush to buy a human dog bed, they might want to hear what science has to say. Sleep experts claim that though sleeping in the same room as your dog can be beneficial, sleeping in the same bed harms sleep quality overall.