Most of us know that pets can teach children about unconditional love, friendship, and responsibility, but having a pet also helps improve a family’s health. It has been documented that people who have pets enjoy a more healthy and active lifestyle. After all, dogs require daily walks, which help improve cardiovascular systems. Dogs have also become a recognized strong force in the reduction of anxiety. Some animals have even alerted owners to a cancer or other health problem. Now, both cats and dogs are believed to be helping families get and stay healthy in another way.
Research shows that children who have pets at an early age may have added protection from developing pet allergies later in life. According to the medical journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy, “children who are exposed to pets during infancy may be less likely to become allergic to dogs and cats.” The results were published after an 18-year study.
Furthermore, allergies to animals are said to be more likely in kids who were born into pet-free homes. Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit found that “babies younger than 1 who lived with pets were much less likely to develop sensitivity to animals than kids who got a family pet later in childhood.”
The study followed 560 now-18-year-olds from birth since 1987. The children’s pet histories were tracked and their blood was tested for a specific antibody indicating sensitivity to pets. Boys and girls who lived with cats during infancy were both half as likely to be sensitive to them later.
Researchers also believe that putting kids and pets under the same roof at an early age increase a child’s immune system against various forms of bacteria, making it less likely to react to animal dander later in life. The ramifications of this study may have an impact on children who have compromised immune systems. Researchers said the latest study doesn’t prove that exposing infants to pets prevents allergies, but shows that more research is needed to determine allergy risk.
I was born into a home that had cats and dogs, and I lived with them my entire life, as have my kids. I couldn’t even consider our family without our pets. Do I think that they have helped my kids become less allergic? I don’t know. I do know that neither my daughters nor my son have allergies to pets.
I also know that what they have gained from taking care of our dogs and cats has been an invaluable lesson in love. A few years ago, we adopted a new puppy at North Shore Animal League in addition to our chihuahua, Hayley, and three cats. Since we brought her home, it was instant love. Since then, the kids have happily (most of the time) fed, walked, and cleaned up after her.
Of course, no one should run out and bring home a pet simply because of any study, but hopefully this news might help parents who are considering having a pet and a baby, by showing them that it can be done, and may even be medically beneficial.
Danielle Sullivan, a mom of three, has worked as a writer and editor in the parenting world for more than 10 years. Sullivan also writes about pets and parenting for Disney’s Babble.com. Find Sullivan on her blogs, Just Write Mom and Some Puppy To Love.
