October 10th

By Mutt Mulligan

Did You Know Kids with Pets are Healthier?

Good news for those who consider Fido and Felix as much a part of the family as little Johnny and Suzie. A recent study shows that kids who are around dogs and cats during their first year of life are healthier and have fewer respiratory infections than those who don’t have contact with these house pets.

Researchers in Finland followed hundreds of children from birth to one year old and found that, while respiratory infections are typical during the first year of life, those children with early dog contact got sick less –  especially with ear infections – and needed fewer antibiotics. Exposure to cats also decreased the chances of illness, but not as much as contact with dogs.

Researchers concluded that the contact with animals has an influence on the maturation of the immune system in infancy, decreasing respiratory infections during early childhood.

There’s no better way to spend time together with your kids and the family pet than in the backyard. Just ask TurfMutt – it’s one of his favorite past times!

Do you have a favorite photo of your children with your pets? Share them with us here and on the TurfMutt Facebook page.