Cats Can Fight Colds & Nasty Suicide Rumors While They’re At It - Do you have a pet and do you think it's helped your child's immune system?
Cats Can Fight Colds & Nasty Suicide Rumors While They’re At It
Wasn't it just last week we were being told that cat owners supposedly have a higher risk of committing suicide? Well, we now have some better news about those who own cats -- or dogs. Having a cat or dog can help your baby avoid childhood illnesses. A study says that kids who are exposed to pets early in childhood are less likely to suffer severe colds, ear infections, and respiratory illnesses. Ah-ha! Vindication, cat lovers! Rejoice!
The study concluded that children who grow up in homes with dogs or cats needed less antibiotics and got sick less. In fact, the kids who had the least amount of health problems were those who lived in homes with a dog who went outside a lot. Experts figure that a dog constantly tracking in dirt was helping children's immune systems adapt to different kinds of bacteria. Cats also afforded health protection, but to a lesser degree.
All of this makes sense to me because I grew up in a home with a dog and dozens of cats. No, I didn't grow up with an animal hoarder. Just older folks who didn't quite understand the concept of spay/neuter. At any rate, I'm one of the only people I know who has no pet or food or seasonal allergies.
However, the study didn't include parents who had pet allergies. One expert says that if a parent has pet allergies, then his or her kids were more likely to have them too. And children who were already predisposed to pet allergies may have them triggered by living with pets.
Another study said that kids who grew up on farms -- plenty of animals, plenty of dirt -- had stronger immune systems as adults. And let's not forget that having a pet isn't all about strengthening an immune system -- there are plenty of psychological benefits too. Having a dog or cat in the house can teach your child (and you!) about love, empathy, and caring for another creature. Just make sure you are prepared to care for a pet financially and emotionally. A dog, especially, requires a lot of care. And all pets are a lifetime commitment.
I say meowtastic and woofalicious to this study, and I'm sure Fido and Fluffy would agree.
Do you have a pet and do you think it's helped your child's immune system?
It seems to make sense to me. I mean, it's similar to getting vaccinated. If your body is exposed to certain allergens at a young age, then it will build an immunity to it. I recall an episode of Dr. Oz a few months ago when he had Betty White as a guest star. They claimed that having certain animals as pets in your homes can be beneficial to your health. Our family has had a rabbit as a pet for the past 3 years. According to both Dr. Oz and Betty White, rabbits are great pets for people who already suffer from allergies because they are hypoallergenic. And when I thought about it, my kids and I have had fewer allergies since getting the rabbit. So there seems to be some truth to the health benefits of pets.
I have a pet and i do not think it made a difference other than the fact that when she is upset she can usually pet him or cuddle him to calm down. He is good at soothing stress emotions away.
i have cat allergies and so does my dd- i spent my first 18 years trying to breathe because my mom is an animal lover and always had cats in our house- couldnt wait to move out! tried to get a cat when my dd was a pre teen thinking maybe my allergies were better by then-then my daughter started wheezing and coughing all the time right along with me. dogs have always been ok- dd now has cat in her house and says it doesnt bother her or my granddaughter who is 2.
Awesome! Neither of my kids have ever been very sick or had any infections. We've always had a cat.
We always had pets, and I was always on antibiotics and had allergies, and my brother never did. And with my own kids, one never got sick or had allergies, and the other always did. So I think it really doesn't matter.
She's cheating on him
- Cafe Steph
on Jul. 9, 2012 at 6:29 PM