Scientists have pointed to the association of asthma in children with having a dog at home

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have found that living with a dog does not worsen the long-term severity of asthma in children with allergic asthmatic disease, but may slightly increase the risk of asthma exacerbations. This was reported by Medical Xpress magazine on March 25.

To study the issue, the researchers analyzed data from 99,389 children with diagnosed asthma and respiratory tract allergies. They were followed up to the age of 19 or until the end of the study in 2023. Their contact with dogs from the moment of diagnosis was classified as no contact, constant contact, or cessation of contact.

"Until now, there has been little data on whether living with a dog or giving up a dog affects the course of asthma in children with allergic asthma, so we wanted to study this issue at the population level," said Katrina Almqvist Malmros, pediatrician at Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital and professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Karolinska Institute..

The study did not show a clear link between constant contact with a dog and moderate or severe asthma over time. Two, four, and six years after diagnosis, the severity of asthma was approximately the same in children with and without dogs.

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However, the results differed when the researchers examined asthma exacerbations, cases requiring emergency care, or high inhaler use. Children who lived with dogs had a higher risk of asthma exacerbations compared to children without pets. This was proven both for children who continued to live with a dog and for those who no longer had a dog. The cessation of dog ownership did not lead to an improvement in asthma.

One possible explanation is that dog allergens can remain in homes for many months, and are also often present in public places, even in families without pets. A limitation of the study is that it did not distinguish between patients with dog allergies and those with other respiratory tract allergies.

"These results can help in a dialogue between families and healthcare professionals. Keeping a dog does not seem to affect the severity of asthma, but it may slightly increase the risk of exacerbations of this disease," concluded Resty Putri, a researcher at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

On December 3 last year, Popular Science magazine reported on the improvement of teenagers' mental health thanks to dogs. According to the publication, playing with a pet helps the brain focus and relax, as well as satisfy the primary need for care.

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