Pets and the development of allergic sensitization

Abstract

Sensitization to pets remains a risk factor for asthma and rhinitis, and can occur in people who have never lived with a pet. Several reports have indicated that living with a pet reduces the risk for becoming sensitized to that pet. Having a pet in the home gives exposure to more than just allergens. In areas with high frequency of pet ownership, community exposure to pet allergens is almost certainly sufficient to induce sensitization among non-pet owners. In this review, we examine the results of recent studies that have investigated the relationship between pet ownership, specific sensitization to that pet, and allergic sensitization in general. For cat ownership, the results are inconsistent between studies of similar design, with some studies suggesting an increase in risk and others a decrease among cat owners. For dogs, results are more consistent, generally suggesting that owning a dog has no effect or indeed may be protective against the development of specific sensitization to dog and allergic sensitization in general.

We and our pets: Allergic together?

“…However, in recent years contradictory findings have suggested that pet ownership might also prevent from allergic sensitisation and disease when children are exposed early in life (Nafstad et al, 2001;Ownby et al, 2002). At the moment the results for cat ownership seem to be inconsistent, whereas dog ownership has no or even a protective effect (Simpson and Custovic, 2005). The presence of a pet in our study, allergic or not, did not predict atopic disease in the human co-inhabitant.…”

Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Singapore and Its Association with Dietary, Lifestyle, and Environmental Factors

“…Allergens from cats and dogs, such as Fel d1 and Can f1, can remain airborne for prolonged periods of time and attach themselves to clothing and hair. 30,31 The prevalence of human allergy to pet dander has increased, due to rising public and domestic environmental exposure to pet allergens. 32 Human diseases associated with sensitisation to these aeroallergens include allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and atopic dermatitis.…”

Asthma: epidemiology, etiology and risk factors

“…123,124 Exposure to animals Although several studies have demonstrated a lower risk of development of atopy and asthma with exposure to farm animals in early life, the findings of studies of the influence of exposure to domestic cats and dogs have been inconsistent. 125,126 In some studies, exposure to cats was associated with a greater risk of allergic sensitization, 127 whereas other studies showed a lower risk. 128,129 Exposure to dogs may be protective not only against the development of specific sensitization to dog allergen 127,128 but also against other sensitization (e.g., to house dust mites) and asthma.…”