According to a Swedish study published last week, children who live with dogs in the first year of their life have a 13% lower risk of developing asthma later in their childhood.
Source: @george.thegolden
The study was published on November 2nd in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics, and over 650,000 children were monitored. Having discovered that children who live on farms with lots of animals have up to a 50% lower risk at developing asthma, the scientists wanted to see what life with a pet dog meant for kids.
Source: @DogChannel
Indeed, pets are a common cause of allergy amongst young children. In the US, about 9.3% of the country's children suffer from asthma, a respiratory problem that causes difficulties with breathing. However, it seems that if they are exposed to a dog's fur, dander and saliva (yummy) from a young age, they will be less likely to develop asthma.
Source: @DogChannel
Professor Tove Hall, who led the study reported:
Our results confirmed the farming effect, and we also saw that children who grew up with dogs had about 15 percent less asthma than children without dogs.
According to the study, pets can bolster the immune system and prevent allergy.
Source: @rumbibaby
More evidence is still needed at the moment but a baby and a puppy seem to be a pretty great combo... and did we mention adorable?!
NB. If your child is already allergic to dogs, it would not be a good idea to buy a puppy.
Featured image: @DogChannel
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