study<\/a>, carried out by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio University Hospital and the University of Eastern Finland, examined nearly 400 Finnish families participating in the LUKAS study. Around one third of the families lived on farms, half lived in rural areas and the remainder lived in towns.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The researchers found that children exposed to dogs spent more healthy weeks during their first year than children living in homes without dogs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The study identified specific microbes associated with dogs that were linked to fewer respiratory infections and reduced antibiotic use. According to the researchers, these microbes, either individually or in combination, explained up to one quarter of the protective effect associated with dog ownership.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Homes with dogs also contained a richer and more diverse range of microbes than homes without dogs. The researchers found that the overall diversity of microbes alone did not explain the lower rate of illness. Instead, the presence of particular dog-associated microbes appeared to play the key role.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The protective effect remained even after researchers adjusted for factors already known to influence childhood infection risk, including family size, where families lived and exposure to tobacco smoke.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The study did not examine other lifestyle differences that often accompany dog ownership. Researchers noted that families with dogs tend to spend more time outdoors, share responsibilities related to caring for pets and often have similar dietary habits, all of which could influence the microbial environment in the home and the development of a child’s immune system.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Paediatrician Jenni M\u00e4ki said the findings add to growing evidence that the microbial environment during infancy plays an important role in immune development.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“The results strengthen our understanding that the microbial environment during early childhood plays an important role in the development of the child’s immune system,” M\u00e4ki said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She added that scientists have suggested it may one day be possible to modify the microbiota inside homes to promote health, adding that dog ownership already changes the home environment in that way.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chief researcher Anne Karvonen said preventing respiratory infections during infancy could have longer-term health benefits.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Respiratory tract infections in early childhood are a significant risk factor for asthma,” Karvonen said. “When some of children’s respiratory tract infections can be prevented with dog-associated microbes, this may also reduce the child’s risk of developing asthma later in life.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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