Having a pet has countless virtues, both psychic and emotional as well as physical. It is a positive, stimulating and affectionate being, for adults and children alike. But some parents mistakenly believe that a dog or a cat would be incompatible with the arrival of a baby and that a pet can present a health risk for the newborn. However, the exact opposite has been proven: living with a pet strengthens the immune system of babies and reduces the risk of developing allergies or asthma by half.
A recent study by researchers at the Institute of Clinical Science at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) shows that :
children who grow up with a pet see their risk of developing allergies or asthma divided by 2 (or even 2.5).
Indeed, at birth, 30% of infants have a risk of developing allergies. This risk increases to 48% in children living without any pets. Conversely, the study on the duration (from 0 to 7 years), shows that the presence of a pet at home for an infant reduces the risk of developing allergies (asthma, eczema, hay fever ….) by half. This reduction is dose-dependent: the more pets you have, the lower the risk (49% risk of developing allergies without any pets, 34% with one pet, and 24% with three pets).
The explanation for these results lies in the beneficial effect of animals on the immune system of babies. Babies who live with a pet have higher levels of gut bacteria (2 times higher). These bacteria (or gut microbiome) form an early immune barrier that fortifies the baby’s natural defenses from the first years of life. This acquired immunity allows the child to be protected against allergies and asthma. Being in contact with a pet at an early age not only develops your child’s immunity, but also stimulates his senses and enriches his first experiences of discovery of the world. It is also essential that this cohabitation be supervised by the parents to preserve the baby’s health.
Tips for the first contacts between baby and pet:
- Monitor contact between the infant and the pet for a few months
- Continue to care for your pet while your baby is present so that your baby doesn’t feel left out
- Do not allow direct contact between pet and baby until 3 months of age, even if the pet is calm
- If the pet is aggressive or growls at the baby, verbally correct it and feel free to move it to another room
- Never leave your baby (up to age 2) alone with a dog or cat
- Never let the animal lick the baby, sit next to him or in his bed
- Make sure your pet is vaccinated and dewormed.
