Further proof that pets are good for childhood health

Yet another study has linked having a dog in the house to childhood health benefits.

Japanese researchers have determined that children exposed to a pet growing up are 15 percent less likely to develop a food allergy. 

The study used data from a nationwide prospective birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), which included 97,413 mothers and their children.

The goal was to expand what’s already known about the beneficial effects of dog exposure during fetal development and early infancy, and see if exposure to other pets offered any of the same benefits.

Results include: Exposure to dogs or cats during fetal development or early infancy was estimated to reduce the incidence risk of food allergies until the age of 3 years. 

Dog exposure was estimated to reduce the incidence risk of egg, milk, and nut allergies, and cat exposure was estimated to reduce the incidence risk of egg, wheat, and soybean allergies. 

However, hamster exposure was estimated to increase the incidence risk of nut allergy.

Fish, fruit, crustacean, and soba allergies showed no significant differences in association with exposure to any pet species.

According to the study, the incidence of food allergies in kids has increased over the last few decades and is now at about 10 percent of the population in developed countries.

The report states, “Food allergy is a condition that reduces the quality of life of patients and their families, imposes a significant medical cost burden, and is a major trigger of anaphylaxis, which is sometimes fatal.

“Therefore, preventing its occurrence is a key priority.”

Lead researcher, Dr. Hisao Okabe, told the Daily Mail,  “The hygiene hypothesis suggests pet exposure is effective in preventing allergic disease, and some studies have reported the beneficial effects of dog exposure during fetal development or early infancy on food allergy.”

The hygiene hypothesis is a leading theory behind the rise in allergies and suggests that too-efficient cleanliness may be creating problems with the human gut.

Exposure to animals — dogs especially, as they ‘kiss’ their humans — may combat food allergies, asthma and other issues by boosting the microbiome.

Many other studies have shown that having a cat or dog in the house can help increase good bacteria and contribute to strong immune systems in children.

The findings of the Japanese study should reassure parents or parents-to-be that keeping a dog can help stave off allergies, rather than causing allergies to develop.

Previous studies have shown the benefits of having a dog in the house while kids are growing up, with statistics showing kids in homes with pets were 44 percent less likely to develop an ear infection and 31 percent more likely to be healthy in their first year.