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

+12
>> See Replies

More polls by Heisenberg

k fleming 2012/07/10 23:39:11

Yes

+1
Let em play in the dirt too!
It's the sterile environment we try to make for them that makes their immune systems go all wonky!

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flyingseaturtle BN 2012/07/10 23:27:58

Yes

+2
Pets are good for children emotionally but not every animal is good for children physically.

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MlssCue =Go Blue= 2012/07/10 23:06:54

No

+3
I don't know if they are healthier but I would guess that are happier.

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Magical Mushroom 2012/07/10 23:05:44

Yes

+3
Yes its quite good to have any animal. For your mental and physical health. You get use to the germs early on and become immune to them. Also animals teach us great love and caring. I like people alot better that have animals and they are not allergic to me because of that.
My dog is laying by my side as i type.

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aad312 2012/07/10 22:48:21

No

+12

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Heisenberg to aad312 2012/07/10 22:50:17

Kick that dog!

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Maxine to Heisenberg 2012/07/11 01:53:16

+1
No that is too cruel--my dog used to do that--but I trained him to stop and he did.

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Magical... to aad312 2012/07/10 23:07:14

+1
Someone needed to neuter that dog. It makes a much better animal anyways.

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Maxine to Magical... 2012/07/11 01:53:43

+2
Yes--I agree--my dog is neutered.

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Magical... to Maxine 2012/07/11 01:56:01

+2

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Maxine to Magical... 2012/07/11 01:57:36

+2
Cool............................

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Magical... to Maxine 2012/07/11 02:01:27

+1
lol, its odd. But I am glad you neutered your dog. There are so many unwanted puppies being put down.

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Maxine to Magical... 2012/07/11 21:49:39

+2
I know that is why I believe in birth control for animals. Too many are destroyed each year, because of unwanted puppies and kittens.

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mrdog to aad312 2012/07/11 06:20:04

+1
Sex ed begins at home...right...ha ha...bark

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tobe to aad312 2012/07/11 23:45:48

+1
that almost made me choke on my beer

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lm1b2 2012/07/10 22:44:47

Yes

+1
Definitely.

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VintageWolf 2012/07/10 22:24:01

Yes

+2

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~Kutie~ 2012/07/10 22:23:38

Yes

+10
Emotionaly? YES

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Queen Katherine 2012/07/10 21:48:51

No

+1
I've had dogs ever since I was three years old and all through out my childhood I had constant colds, and ear infections.

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Seeker of Truth - War Wizard 2012/07/10 21:18:53 (edited)

No

+3
This study only had a sample size of 397 kids. And they don't disclose other factors, such as the home environment, parent's health, social status, etc.

I grew up with dogs and cats, and had frequent colds, strep throat, sinus problems, ear infections, etc... I actually got better after I moved out.

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David 2012/07/10 21:15:13

Yes

+2
That's probably what we all want to believe.

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MOMMA THOMAS 2012/07/10 21:03:37

Yes

+2
IT'S TRUE!

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tori 2012/07/10 20:54:08

Yes

+3
Ive never seen this personally, but I can understand how growing up with a dog around can build up your immunity to germs.

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TasselLady 2012/07/10 20:53:19

Yes

+3
Because they had time to build up antibodies so that animals didn't bother them allergy wise. More and more doctors are saying the same thing. That's probably one reason I had allergies as a kid. We had no animals in the house and no houseplants. I ended up being allergic to everything plant wise, as well a dust, mold and mildew.

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Don Leuty 2012/07/10 20:47:33

Yes

+3
It could happen. Reduced stress has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

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Your Favorite Nerd Guru 2012/07/10 20:32:34

Yes

+3
I wish I had a dog when I was born because I probably wouldn't be sick as much as I am, but I did not get her until I was five years old...

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Jacqui 2012/07/10 20:16:01

Yes

+2
He will keep the baby safe, & he isn't full of toxins.

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teachaman 2012/07/10 20:09:14

Yes

+3
exposure to animal dander initiates the immune system's process to create antibodies

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Jacqui to teachaman 2012/07/10 20:18:12

+1
Really, I didn't know that. Well as dad used to say, "your day wasn't wasted if learned something". T Y 4 the info.

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sky blue pink - American 2012/07/10 20:05:30

Yes

+2
very much so.
Have a good one !

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Fergie 2012/07/10 20:00:36

Yes

+8
Of course :)

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tobe to Fergie 2012/07/10 20:51:55

+2
cute picture. thats what breed my youngest dog is. they are the sweetest dogs in the world.

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Shadow_Wolf 2012/07/10 19:50:56

Yes

+2
I loved my dog. It was practically my older brother, sadly he died.

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zoe 2012/07/10 19:49:10 (edited)

Yes

+5
I'm testimony to that, I grew up with my hands on dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, pigs, lambs and besides a few colds, I've never been ill in my life

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kcandi 2012/07/10 19:48:08

Yes

+5
I don't know about totally healtier, but they are more well rounded and learn to take care of others (the pet) at an early age.

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Heisenberg 2012/07/10 19:34:53

Yes

+4
Yes, dogs are loyal companions which is why they say a dog is man's best friend.

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Jackie G - Poker Playing Pa... 2012/07/10 19:31:02

Yes

+4
Yes, dogs and cats - they are less likely to get ill

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Jana ♥ ♥ ♥ 2012/07/10 19:27:37

Yes

+5
I was brought up with both,and I was not sick much at all as a child,neither was my brother,but then again we did things that kids dont do today like play outside get dirty eat dirt, worms, and anything else that can go into the month. In today's society most parents dont want the kids picking up anything that's why there is so many sick kids
today..

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Angela Chambers 2012/07/10 19:25:24

Yes

+2
DDUURRRRRRRRRRRR!!

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XRenX 2012/07/10 19:23:33

Yes

+3
This study was also conducted for adults and was said to prevent colds for them with the aid of a dog's presence. Naturally, one would assume it would work people of all ages, including infants.

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