Children Raised With Dogs?
The study released Monday, says findings are based on the overall health of 397 children who lived in suburban and rural parts of Finland. The children were monitored weekly to decide if contact with dogs and cats during a child’s first year of life provides any protection from respiratory tract infections, colds and resulting common ear infections. “The children having dogs at home were healthier, they had less ear infections and they needed less antibiotics,” said pediatrician Eija Bergroth, the study’s lead author.
According to the research, infants living in households with dogs were healthier and had fewer ear infections than those without a dog. Another positive result; children with dogs were reported as being healthy for about 73% of the time, compared with about 65% of children with no dog at home.
Dr. Bergroth said that children who lived in households where dogs spent more time outside enjoyed the greatest health benefits, probably because dogs who spend much of their time outdoors are likely to bring more dirt and bacteria inside the home, and it is believed that the exposure to dirt and bacteria strengthens babies’ immune systems.
The Study by Dr. Bergoth followed children born at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland. Parents completed weekly questionnaires, documenting ailments such as fevers, coughs, runny noses, ear infections, diarrhea, urinary tract infections and rashes. Families were also asked if they had a dog or a cat and if so, how much time the animals spent outside.
This study shows up that maybe that childhood dog of yours did help you growing up, more than you know! This children raised with dogs study may shed more light on dogs improving our health later on down the road.
