I wonder whose idea this study was.
ping
Dogs are good for you in more ways than one.
Dog licks butt. Dog licks kid's face. Good for both!
Well, we have multiple dogs, often six in the house. And we have multiple kids & grandkids. It's gratifying to think we are benefitting their good health as well as everyone's entertainment.
Then kids in my home would be extra allergy free.
Any kids in my house will be thoroughly protected.
Those kids have never been around my pug when she farts. I wheeze and gag.
Anyone want to borrow one of my four canines? Guilt free pet ownership is a good thing. ;) Never tried the idea on our kids...we didn't have any.
I wonder if they looked at a similar protective effect from cats? The last article I saw on something similar said the researchers had found a protective effect against asthma from both dogs and cats in the home before the kids reached age 1. On an anecdotal basis, I believe it .... The home I grew up in was pretty grubby (my mom had better things to do than clean :), and we had cats inside, but only one dog outside. As an adult, I am not allergic to cats, though I am to dogs, and I have never had asthma. My husband grew up in a spotless home with no pets, and both he and one sister have asthma and allergies to cats -- even though neither of their parents had allergies to anything.
Keep a happy, grubby home with lots of critters in it. Works for me!
And then you have the incredible rise in allergic reaction to airborne pollen, etcetera, that seems to track pretty well with the advent of widespread air conditioning in residential construction. Throw those windows open if the temps are comfortable, it's good for you, plus the crickets are natural white noise to help you sleep, lol.
Although there may be a little coughing now and then. hoc tuey