Growing Up with Pets May Lower Kids’ Risk of Food Allergies, Study Finds

Pets and Allergy Risk: What the Research Shows

A new study out of Japan suggests that children who grow up with pets—especially cats or dogs—may have a lower chance of developing food allergies later in life.

The research, which followed more than 66,000 children, found that exposure to cats or dogs during pregnancy or infancy was linked to about a 14% reduced risk of food allergies compared to children without pets.

Dogs, Cats, and Specific Allergy Protection

The strongest protective effects were seen in families with indoor dogs, where children had lower rates of milk, egg, and nut allergies. Cats also showed benefits, with reduced risks of wheat, egg, and soybean allergies.

Interestingly, the study found no significant impact on allergy rates from families who owned birds, turtles, or hamsters.

Expert Insights and Cautions

Dr. Carolyn Kwiat, an allergist at Mount Sinai, called the findings “promising” due to the large number of participants. However, she emphasized caution: the study was observational and relied on parent questionnaires, not medical tests.

Kwiat noted that while pet exposure may play a role, the most proven way to reduce allergy risk remains the early introduction of allergenic foods such as peanuts and eggs under pediatric guidance.

The Bottom Line

While having a furry friend may offer unexpected health perks, experts caution that families shouldn’t adopt a pet solely to prevent allergies. Still, the findings highlight another way pets can enrich children’s lives—both emotionally and physically.