If your child is in the habit of getting up in the middle of the night, this, too, may disturb your pet's sleep. As a result, your pet may become cranky and may even lash out at your child. Only a dog or cat with a stellar history of non-aggressive behavior should be considered as a possible bedmate for your child. This may disturb your child's sleep. Upon awakening, your pet may expect or want to play.
Dogs often like to go for a walk early in the morning or expect to be fed right away.
If these are not your child's normal chores, sleeping apart may be more ideal. The age of your pet is another consideration. Puppies and kittens are even more playful than older pets. Kittens, in particular, will bat after anything that moves. If the nearest object happens to be your sleeping child's hand or foot, your child may have a painful awakening.