Children who live in homes with dogs have fewer respiratory tract infections than children who grow up without pets, says a new study published in the August 2012 issue of Pediatrics.
The study, which was performed by researchers at the Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, looked at 397 children from pregnancy through the first year of life. The children who had contact with a pet dog or cat were significantly more likely to be healthier than the children who did not have a furry friend at home. The children with pets had fewer respiratory tract symptoms and infections including cough, ear infections, and needed fewer courses of antibiotics than the children without pets.
The protection offered by dogs was stronger than the protection offered by cats, but even kids with cats at home were healthier than the children without pets. In other words, having a pet dog makes kids healthier.
This is not the first study that links living with a dog during the first year of life with better health outcomes. Another recent study presented at the 2012 General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology found that children who live with dogs have a decreased risk for developing asthma. According to this study, the house dust in homes with dogs offers some sort of protection against respiratory tract infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is linked to an increased risk for developing asthma later in life. Thus, multiple studies support the theory that contact with animals is important for the immune system during the first year of life.
As a new mother who suffers from both asthma and allergies, the news that living with a pet dog protects against respiratory tract infections and asthma is great news. I am doing everything in my mother to lower my daughter's risk for asthma and allergies including breastfeeding and not introducing solid foods too soon. I am also making sure that she comes into frequent contact with our pet dog and cat. I will build her immune system up, one puppy kiss at a time. Dogs really are man's best friend!
Do you have a furry pet at home? Tell us below in the comments section!
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