Research published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found owning a pet can also reduce risk of asthma and allergies in young children.
Research has…pointed to significantly less absenteeism from school through sickness among children who live with pets.
Previous studies had confirmed lack of social relationships were a major risk factor for health, they added, rivalling the effects of other established risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity and lack of exercise.
The authors wrote: “Although support from pets should not be regarded as a replacement for help from people, the fact that pets are not human confers certain advantages; the relationships are less subject to provider burnout or to fluctuations, and they do not impose a strain or cause concern about continuing stability.
Relationships with pets seem to be of value in the early stages of bereavement and after treatment for breast cancer.
Another BMJ study also found small animals such as squirrels, owls and raccoons could help treat children with emotional and behavioural problems.
But in actual practice people do not own pets specifically to enhance their health, rather they value the relationship and the contribution their pet makes to their quality of life.
link [www.dehavilland.co.uk/webhost.asp?wci=default&wcp=NationalNewsStoryPage&ItemID=15099704&ServiceID=8&filterid=10&searchid=8]
Filed under Entirely Pets, Uncategorized | Tags: Exercise, Fact, School | 1 Comment
Related?
Beware of Pet AllergiesOctober 22nd, 2005 This is the worst part of the year when both you and your pet might have to suffer from allergies. In fact, veterinarians say the summer and fall months are the worst times for pets.
8 ways to protect yourself from pet allergies & yet have a dogNovember 18th, 2008 Do you have pet allergies and yet would love to have a dog? Or do you have a dog and want to know how you can protect yourself or your family from pet allergies?
Contrary to popular belief, people are not allergic to an animal's hair, but rather, to a protein found in the saliva, dander (dead skin flakes) or urine of an animal with fur. These proteins are carried in the air on very small, invisible particles, which can land on the lining of the eyes or nose, or be inhaled directly into the lungs.
Pet's Health Care in Spring and Tips for Common Seasonal TreatmentsApril 12th, 2007 Yearly vaccinations, parasite dangers and seasonal allergies, the spring season delivers a host of pet health concerns, marked by routine veterinary visits and seasonal treatments. Dr. John Robb, veterinarian and founder of the national organization Protect the Pets, says it's an important time for pet owners to be educated about the care they're getting.
Exotic pets are not recommended for children under fiveDecember 5th, 2008 Latest research by American Academy of Pediatrics shows that ten present of children who are under five and suffering from salmonella infection are due to exotic pets. This is for the first time ever AAP is seriously asking parents to save their children from exotic pets.
Help Pets Prepare for Baby's ArrivalApril 9th, 2005 If you're expecting, let your dog or cat know what to expect a couple of months before the baby is born. Helping your pet adjust to the arrival of a new baby is much like preparing a young child for the same event.
Pet Therapy to Assist Young Patients in the Healing ProcessDecember 17th, 2005 A new program in the children’s health center at New York Hospital Queens relies on good, old-fashioned puppy love to help young patients heal. The pet therapy program in the pediatrics department brings specially trained dogs to select patients to ease stress and to assist in the healing process.
Reaction of your child when pet diesApril 16th, 2005 For many children, their first exposure to death will be that of a pet.Parents magazine offers tips on how to help children cope with the death of a pet.I like to thank the Parents magazine, as it would be a real good help for parents, to help out their children from the first experience of death.
Our lovely harmless birds could kill usOctober 29th, 2008 Mrs Dawson, from Fakenham, Norfolk, has not kept a bird since 1973. At first she thought it was asthma because it runs in the family.
December 7th, 2005 at 1:13 am
[...] It is a good news for you that research published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found owning a pet can also reduce risk of asthma and allergies in young children. [...]