Can Growing Up with a Dog Cause Asthma?

Dogs & Childhood Asthma: is there a link?

We're dog lovers at KidsMedGuide! While not for everyone, dogs have been shown to increase happiness, boost mood, give kids a sense of responsibility, and encourage more physical fitness for the whole family.

Meet our KMG mascot, Sunny. She helps with the creative thinking process of writing articles.

Dogs also have lots of hair and dander; if you get a golden ball of fluff like Sunny, they shed. A lot. And they may steal everyone's food, hide slippers, and eat rocks. But those are stories for another day...

Over the years, there has been debate about whether having a childhood dog boosts immunity and prevents disease or makes children more prone to immune conditions and diseases, particularly asthma and allergies. Many of these studies have had conflicting results and no definitive answer.

I'm particularly interested in this topic because my kids use my dog as a pillow.

But, according to a recent article published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), things are looking good for dog lovers!

Key Findings from the Study

Investigators analyzed data from over 75,000 mother-child groups registered in a European Union Child Cohort Network to see if having a household dog (or cat) in the first 3 years of life was associated with the incidence of asthma as a child.

No overall increase in asthma risk: The study analyzed data and found no significant link between early-life dog ownership and the development of asthma by school age.
No significant impact on pet allergies: Early exposure to dogs did not significantly affect the likelihood of children developing dog allergies.
Risk of asthma in children allergic to dogs: Children who developed specific sensitivities to dogs and had early-life exposure showed a stronger association with asthma. Conversely, those without such sensitivities had a slightly reduced risk of developing asthma.

What This Means for Dog-Owning Parents

Individual factors matter: The impact of having a dog on a child's immune system varies. Children without pet sensitivities might experience a slight protective effect against asthma, while those with sensitivities could face increased risks.
There is no universal need to avoid pets. Early exposure to dogs does not inherently increase the risk of asthma or allergies for most children.
Consult healthcare professionals: If there's a family history of allergies or asthma or concerns about pet-related sensitivities, it's advisable to consult with a pediatrician or allergist.

Final Thoughts

There is scientific debate about the relationship between dog ownership and childhood asthma. This study found that having a cat or dog early in life is unlikely to raise the risk of school-age asthma or pet-specific allergies. It may offer some protection for children who do not develop allergic sensitization! However, for those kids who become sensitized and develop a pet allergy, early pet exposure may increase the risk of asthma development.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a strong family history of allergies. It might be worth allergy testing before you bring home a four-legged fur friend. But most kids should do fine with a dog in the home!

Do you already have a fur baby and are worried about allergies? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some good resources.

The following references were used to compile this information:

Jhun, I., & Phipatanakul, W. (2016). Early exposure to dogs and farm animals reduces risk of childhood asthma. Evidence-Based Medicine, 21(2), 80. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmed-2015-110373

Moira, A. P. de, Strandberg-Larsen, K., Bishop, T., Pedersen, M., Avraam, D., Cadman, T., Calas, L., Casas, M., Guillain, B. de L., Elhakeem, A., Esplugues, A., Estarlich, M., Foong, R. E., Haakma, S., Harris, J. R., Huang, R.-C., Inskip, H., Lertxundi, A., Mensink-Bout, S. M., … Andersen, A.-M. N. (2022). Associations of early-life pet ownership with asthma and allergic sensitization: A meta-analysis of more than 77,000 children from the EU Child Cohort Network. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 150(1), 82–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2022.01.023

The Truth about Pet Allergies. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2025, from https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/pet

When Pets Are the Problem. (2007, January 1). HealthyChildren.Org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/allergies-asthma/Pages/When-Pets-Are-the-Problem.aspx?_gl=1*cfrto6*_ga*MTg5MDI2NDMwMy4xNzQyNDkyODY2*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTc0MjQ5Mjg2NS4xLjEuMTc0MjQ5MjkwOC4wLjAuMA..

This article has been reviewed by Andrea Morrissey, PharmD, Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist, and Chief Content Officer of Kids Med Guide. The content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical guidance, and call 911 in an emergency.

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