Dogs help ward off asthma in kids ... cats not so meowch

Pooches good for developing lungs

- BY STEPHEN BEECH

BABIES who grow up around dogs are less likely to develop childhood asthma, according to new research.

But growing up with cats does not seem to have the same effect, say scientists.

Researchers found that infants exposed to dog allergens in the home have a lower risk of developing asthma by five years of age.

The research team from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, also studied babies' exposure to cat allergens, but did not find the same protective effect.

Team member Dr Jacob McCoy said: "Asthma is a very common chronic respiratory illness in children, with the highest rates in the first four years of life.

"It is caused by complex interactions between genetic factors and the environment, including infections, allergies and air pollution.

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"Children spend most of their time indoors, so in this research we wanted to study allergens in the home."