THE FACTS
Many parents worry that keeping a dog or cat in the house may make a child more likely to develop pet allergies. But the scientific evidence suggests otherwise.
Instead, Fido and Whiskers seem to have the reverse effect. Most studies now show that children who are exposed to a pet during their first year have a lower likelihood of developing dog or cat allergies later on in life.
In the latest study, appearing this month in the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy, researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit followed 566 boys and girls from birth until age 18, regularly collecting data from the children’s families about exposure to indoor pets. At the end of the study, the researchers took blood samples and tested the subjects for their allergic sensitization to dogs and cats.
The children who had shared a home with a cat in their first year of life were about half as likely to be allergic to cats as those who had not. A decreased risk also was found in boys who lived with a dog as infants, though for some reason the effect was not as strong in girls.
The researchers also concluded that exposure at later ages did not make much of a difference — it was exposure in infancy that mattered. “The first year of life is the critical period during childhood when indoor exposure to dogs or cats influences sensitization to these animals,” the study’s authors concluded.
Jane
I wholeheartedly agree. Even with the immunocompromised, they can still be of benefit. Just wish my Old English Sheepdog was calm enough to do pet therapy with my patients! I care for many that express a sadness when hospitalized and are apart from their beloved 4-legged friends. They would benefit from a visit. Cannot imagine life without a canine.
“However, the overall benefits of the human-animal bond must be considered and with proper handling and husbandry immunocompromised patients should be able to continue to enjoy the significant benefits of pet ownership.”
http://nursing.unboundmedicine.com/nursingcentral/ub/citation/16581294/Pet_ownership_in_immunocompromised_children__a_review_of_the_literature_and_survey_of_existing_guidelines_
Pet ownership in immunocompromised children–a review of the literature and survey of existing guidelines.
Authors
Hemsworth S, Pizer B
Authors
Hemsworth S, Pizer B
Institution
Oncology Unit, Royal Liverpool Children’s NHS Trust, Eaton Road, Liverpool, UK. [email protected]
Source
Eur J Oncol Nurs 2006; 10(2):117-27
alexandra
For all I know, pets are the best thing for humans, it humanize us deeply. And getting allergies by being in contact with them, well… It’s possible, but I would prefer to take medication for it than be without my pets.
Right now I have a cat called Mina and she is very special. I do love people too; I’m not just a pet lover. My cat came from the street with only 4 months old and she is sweet and very intelligent, too much for a cat LOL
Despite the opinion of some scientists that animals are irrational beings and for that they cannot think… I had cats all my life as well as dogs and I still find them more intelligent than a lot of humans.