That's a sweet article, but probably those findings relate to the age of the person doing the studying. A good bed should support your spine so that it is aligned while sleeping, and the comfort layer needs to allow for circulation to occur in the tissue you are lying on. If these factors are not correct you'll wake up with back pain, or poorly rested (due to excessive movement overnight to relieve poor circulation). I'm surprised they didn't find a worsening of sleep quality not sleeping on their bed.
We have a cat and she definitely shifts her sleeping place every few days/week. Another theory I have is that it is a natural way of managing fleas, which will die off with no animal sleeping in the spot for several days.
This! I know for a fact that my cat changes sleeping places if he detects fleas and will not move back to the old spot for a couple of weeks. Flea management from a cat perspective.
We have a cat and she definitely shifts her sleeping place every few days/week. Another theory I have is that it is a natural way of managing fleas, which will die off with no animal sleeping in the spot for several days.