Pets May Lower the Risk of Asthma, Hay Fever and Allergies

My dog Heidi taught me how to walk. I would hold onto her fur and she would lift me up and I would take my first steps. Heidi also might have helped my health.

Having a dog not only teaches children how to take care of a pet and the meaning of responsibility, but it also can give a child’s immune system a boost.

At first it might sound unhealthy for an infant or child to be around an animal with fur, but the opposite seems true. The germs that are found on the fur of a dog are actually a benefit to a child’s health.

Studies from the National Research Center for Environmental Health in Munich have reported that children who had frequent contact with dogs and animal fur showed a significantly low level of sensitization to pollens and inhaled allergens. They study was conducted over six-years with 9,000 children.

Growing up with a dog in the house means that children will receive early exposure to germs that are carried by animals fur, thus developing the immune system to be less sensitive to potential triggers of allergies, asthma, eczema and hay fever.

Written by: Isobella Jade