Does having a dog at home help our immune system or is this a myth?
A growing number of people are now opting to have a dog at home, thanks to an ever-increasing body of studies that suggests having a dog at home actually helps improve the immune system. In the past, dogs were considered by some as harmful for health, especially when there is a baby at home, leading families to either abandon their furry friends or to wait to have one until the children are older. Researchers are clarifying and suggesting otherwise, and a lot of dog-loving homes everywhere can heave a big sigh of relief!
How does the immune system work?
When you join a gym, your muscle tissues get torn because of the extra strain. The tissues then repair themselves to become stronger than before, to offer greater resistance to the strain of the workouts. The immune system gets stronger in a similar manner. Exposure to common pathogens may make you sick initially, but resistant over time. The immune system learns to develop appropriate antibodies to resist the pathogens in order to avoid future bouts of illness. It is this, and not constant use of sanitizers and chemicals, that make you resistant to illnesses.
And that is how dogs help you!
Adorable though they may be, pooches are fond of getting dirty, licking, eating strange things, and more. However, the pathogens that dogs introduce are neither fatal nor benign and are simple enough for your body to develop resistance to. Having a dog at home when you have children can be great for their immune system, as their immune system gets ‘exercised’ at a young age. Naturally, this helps them to grow into healthy adults, immune to most common pathogens that can otherwise make you sick.
Stay healthy and have fun!
If you’d like to learn more about pet care or obedience training so you can keep a dog in your home, give us a call today!