Dogs love to lick, and kids love when dogs lick them, they laugh, giggle and get a big kick out of it. Is this safe though? Some people worry that dogs mouths may be a party for bacteria and germs since dogs are known to lick some not so pleasant things. However, research has shown that dog germs tend to be species-specific, meaning they are unlikely to make people, or kids sick. Studies have actually shown that exposure to dogs and their slobber can help kids avoid asthma and allergies, by challenging their immune systems . Don’t go out of your way to have your dog cover the baby in slobber, but, studies have found that babies who are exposed to pets during their first year are less likely to develop allergies to animals later on.
A study which is published in the August issue of Pediatrics, found that in 397 children, homes with dogs had much less instances of respiratory infections and far less ear infections then homes that did not have a dog. Babies with dogs in their homes also needed fewer courses of antibiotics then babies in non pet homes.
So, it your a parent who’s trying to convince their partner to get a family pet, or maybe even a child who is looking for reasons to list on why they SHOULD have a pet dog, add this one to the list. Dogs can make you healthier!
