Are Kids Who Grow Up With Dogs Healthier?

by Heisenberg Posted 2012/07/10 18:00:00

Related Topics: Pets, Lifestyle, Dogs, Baby, Healthier, Kids, News, Dog, Kid, Ear, Strong, Homes, Infant, Infection, Cat, babies, cats, Symptoms, Infections

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	Yes	260 votes	82%
	No	59 votes	18%

According to a new study, if your child grows up with a pup around, he or she is less likely to develop colds and ear infections as an infant. Are kids who grow up with dogs healthier?

CBSNEWS.COM reports:
Babies born in homes with cats also showed a protective benefit against respiratory symptoms, though not as strong

+30

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aad312 2012/07/10 22:48:21

No

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More polls by Heisenberg

Andrea Rodriguez 2012/07/30 18:39:12

Yes

I believe that having a pet around, regardless of it is a dog or not, will have your kid grow up healthier. Animals seem to know when you are upset or sick and they comfort you and make you feel better. If you have a pet and you are older you probably also have less of a chance of suffering from depression.

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Michael Hertel 2012/07/14 07:58:38

No

The statement is too broad, it may be true over the large grooup but it may not be caused by the animal. A baby who has a dog in the house may be better or worse off economically and that could be the reason for the increased health.

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Reggie☮ 2012/07/13 18:45:36

Yes

+1
Yes, this is what I have read.

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James 2012/07/13 04:42:20

Yes

+1
Being around pets helps a child develop a healthe immune system. I ate bugs and dirt when I was a kid, and I have never had the flu (without vaccinations) and only the rarest of colds or other viral/bacterial problems, and I'm almost 60 yoa.

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raschell97 2012/07/12 21:44:19

Yes

+1
yes because they are taught responsibility and also play with the dog and therefore get exercise

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LibertyCaroline 2012/07/12 17:56:35

Yes

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I could agree with that, all my children grew up with dogs, and all my grand-children live in homes with dogs, and all are exceptionally healthy.

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Mr.Steve 2012/07/12 12:36:58
dale.wheatley2 2012/07/12 06:39:43

Yes

+1
yes i think they are

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blissful 2012/07/12 06:37:56

No

+1
I think this is just ridiculous!. It may be true, but it is most strangest thing that I ever heard..

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Pam 2012/07/12 03:40:09

Yes

+2
I think it helps with immunities and psychologically!

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kotabear 2012/07/12 01:55:23

Yes

+1
Build up immunity to little allergies while a baby.

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lucythetooth 2012/07/12 00:25:16 (edited)

Yes

+1
I believe it. We've had dogs for most of my kid's lives and they're both very healthy.

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Nan 2012/07/12 00:03:09

Yes

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Why not as long as the pet is kept clean, flealess, very loved, well trained and well fed.

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avalanche 2012/07/11 23:21:22

Yes

+1
Lets not forget the benefits of predator deterent, four legged and two legged.

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John Freeman 2012/07/11 22:39:32

Yes

+2

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tobe 2012/07/11 22:34:29

Yes

+2

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Oli 2012/07/11 22:07:05

No

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Not all dogs are healthy safe and friendly, unfortunately kids have been killed, mulled to death by dogs. So no.

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kaka702 to Oli 2012/07/12 00:18:23 (edited)

+2
to bad that's the only news people hear on TV and Radio, is when dogs kill someone.

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wpsark_BN_0 2012/07/11 21:40:10

Yes

+1
helps to build up their immunity....It's long been said that chihuaha's healed asthma and breathing problems, there's always some truth behind those so-called myths.

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Man_Bear_Pig 2012/07/11 21:39:39

No

+1
I had constant colds and ear infections.

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Michael 2012/07/11 21:20:08

Yes

+1
Dogs that are treated right are such caring animals and having them around your child/children is great!

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BIG BAD JOHN R. 2012/07/11 21:16:42

Yes

+1
Sure they are. they are also better adjusted too.

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Fredrick House 2012/07/11 21:04:40

Yes

+2
Google "Hygiene Hypothesis. It seems that they are. Just got my monthly copy of
the Journal of Allergy Asthma and Clinical Immunology. They are now even using
"Worm Extract" to treat allergies successfully. A little dirt and grime is necessary for a healthy immune system. fchmd

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Carlo 2012/07/11 19:22:59

Yes

+1
Emotionally probably but maybe not physically. Is it an indoor dog? Dogs get ticks and ticks can carry disease.

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Inquisitve Kat 2012/07/11 18:18:57

Yes

+1
I think the emotional benefit is huge, too.

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Rebellion 2012/07/11 16:32:08

Yes

+2
First of all, the dog itself has to be healthy. If that is so, then, I believe that children grow up healthier having a dog by their side.

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Ryoka∞Boy 2012/07/11 16:25:27

Yes

+1
I think so.

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Muriel 2012/07/11 16:12:11

Yes

+2
Within reason. Not too young, not to big.

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MissDiva 2012/07/11 16:00:47

Yes

+1
I think that growing up with pets at all can make a child healthier. They will learn respect, and how to love and care for another.

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Vanessa27 2012/07/11 15:57:07

Yes

+1
I think it might be true because dogs show kids responsibility when it comes to feeding them, bathing them, and walking them, etc..

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Margaret Jacobson 2012/07/11 15:53:33

Yes

+1
CATS AND OR DOGS !!

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phil 2012/07/11 15:49:59

Yes

+1
To a point yes

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May 2012/07/11 15:47:18

Yes

+1
I think it probably teaches them another dimension of respect and relationships to animals. Animals are so loving, loyal and affectionate and they shower that on children who seem to be automatically drawn to them. They learn to treat animals with love and care and actually nurture them as well. Some people prefer their dog over people. Sometimes I can understand that. Any time when my daughter was an infant and started to fuss or cry, our little dog would come tearing into the room and bark lightly and squirm all over till I dropped everything and went attended to her. She was like a second little mother.

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katebelieber 2012/07/11 15:39:29

Yes

+2
dogs could protect them

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baxter 2012/07/11 15:35:26

Yes

+2
YES THEY ARE MY SON WAS BROUGHT UP WITH HIS PET DOG HE WENT AND FOUND HIS OWN JOB AND IS STILL THERE

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BloodlessVeins 2012/07/11 15:01:37

No

+1
I dunno...I'm not a doctor, neither have I raised children...but I guess my little sister was happier with a dog companion...even though she's not very good at taking care of them...

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Lerro DeHazel 2012/07/11 14:51:14

No

+1
As I got older, I learned that Dogs are just a heartbreak; as they live such a short amount of time.

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Jerry 2012/07/11 14:43:13

Yes

+2
Why not, there are statistics and studies to prove any and everything. Dogs are good... especially mine.

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Sandman366 2012/07/11 14:17:53

Yes

+1
Wouldn't expect them to have colds &etc; less often, though perhaps the more positive mentality helped for that. Always got a buddy to lick your face. :)

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AM 2012/07/11 13:59:29

Yes

+2
I don't necessarily agree with the report .However a child learning to love and care for a pet themselves teaches them responsibility.IMO what's better than a kid and a dog.

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