Pets are important to your child’s health

By Rechell McDonald

A Swedish study that reviewed data from 2007 to 2012 has found that children exposed to dogs routinely in their first year of life had a 13 per cent less chance of developing asthma in early childhood. Additionally, the study looked into children who were exposed to farm animals in the same period of life and, astonishingly, found those children’s risk of developing asthma in early childhood dropped by more than 50 per cent.

Why is this? Researchers suggest that homes with dogs and babies in them present an environmental challenge that makes it impossible to have the home clean all the time. From dog hair floating around, to drool, muddy paw prints, and house-breaking accidents, a home with a dog is never really sanitized, and this is beneficial for your kids. Exposing your infants to an imperfect environment in their first year helps to develop and strengthen their immune system. This is even true for babies with parents who suffer from asthma. Researchers warn that this is not a safe or recommended practice for babies who have known and existing allergies.

This study is not only good news for kids and pet owners, but also something that may impact the volume of pet-related classified ads we have become so accustomed to seeing these days: “Pregnant, can no longer keep dog, kids may be allergic, in need of forever home.” There may be no more excuses for getting rid of your dog due to an expected child.