by Carrie E. Muffett, MD

There has been increased interest in the role of early exposure to pets in the home, and also to farm animals, for prevention of allergic conditions and asthma later on.  Studies in this area have had conflicting results.

One recent, prospective study, however, showed a lower level of allergies in children at six years of age if they had been exposed to at least two dogs or cats in the home in the first year of their life.  This was true not just of dog and cat allergies but of allergies to dustmites, ragweed, grass and cockroaches.  The difference remained even when factors such as older siblings, dust mite exposure and household smoking were adjusted for.  The researches also saw a trend toward less asthma in boys with at least two dogs or cats at home in the first year of their life, although they noted that they would need more subjects to determine if this was a significant trend (Ownby, Johnson,, and Peterson, 2002).

Heart Health • Mental Health • Pain Control • Allergy Prevention