Having a dog in the house improves infant health
A recent study conducted by Dr. Eija Bergroth found having pets in the house during a baby’s
first year of life can help bolster the infant’s immune system and decrease the number of
respiratory infections and colds experienced. The study, conducted in Finland, followed 397
babies through their first year of life. For 44 weeks, the new moms recorded how often their
babies had fevers, ear infections, rhinitis, coughs, wheezing, and if they needed antibiotics.The
reports of those with a cat or dog in the house were then compared to the reports of
thosewithout. Analysis found babies from households with dogs were healthy for 72 –76
percent of the first year, whereas babies who had no contact with dogs were healthy for only 65
percent of the year; having a dog made the infant’s up to 11 percent healthier. Improved health
was also experienced by babies who kept company with cats, but with a lesser margin of
improvement.
The results are considered statistically significant. Bergroth and her colleagues speculate that
having dogs and cats around exposes newborns to more pathogens and helps them build a
more mature immune system. This study is one of the first to find cats and dogs have protective
factors in infant health.—LE
- See more at: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/babys-best-
friend/34772#sthash.aHEiLJIi.dpuf
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