Could Your Pet Protect Baby from Developing Allergies?

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Some moms-to-be worry their babies may be allergic to their pets (and who wants to give up Fido for adoption?!), but a new study suggests pets could actually protect some babies from developing allergies later in life. In the study, researchers contacted 18-year-olds to see if they’d grown up in a home with a cat or dog, and then tested to see if they had allergic symptoms when exposed to the animals. They found that boys who lived in a home with an indoor dog during their first year of life had half the risk of being allergic to dogs at age 18. And both boys and girls who had a cat during their first year of life had a decreased risk of being allergic to cats at age 18. That’s good news for pet lovers -- and for Fido too!

Do you have a baby and a pet? Are you concerned about allergies?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Q&A: How can I prepare my pets for Baby?

Babyproofing, Part 2

Pets and Your Tot

-- Elena Donovan Mauer

See More: Baby Basics , Safety