From Science Daily today...

Thought you'd be interested in this -
"Early Life Exposure To Cats May Reduce Risk Of Childhood Allergies And Asthma Symptoms
ScienceDaily (May 22, 2008) — A study released by researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, shows that cat ownership may have a protective effect against the development of asthma symptoms in young children at age five. The study, published by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found that children with cats in the home were more likely to have made allergy-related antibodies to cats. At three years of age, children who had made antibodies to cats early in life were more likely to have wheeze, a respiratory symptom associated with asthma. However, by age five, the same children who had grown up with a cat were then found to be less likely to have wheeze.
This finding suggests that prolonged cat ownership and early life exposure to cats may have a protective effect against early asthma indicators, such as wheeze, as children reach age five. "While the study design does not allow us to recommend early cat ownership to prevent asthma, it does seem to indicate that avoidance of cats to prevent the development of asthma is not advised. However, once a child has asthma and is allergic to cats, the recommendation would still be to find a new home for the cat," said Matthew Perzanowski, PhD, assistant professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health and lead author and investigator on the research.

Good article and it makes lots of sense. Thanks for sharing.

I wish they would also consider how air pollution is affecting the development of allergies. On my mother's side, asthma ranks pretty high. My eldest son had asthma when he was a child. We had pets, but instead of blaming them for the allergies, the family (including the animals) made weekend trips to the beach/out of city trips and the asthma attacks became less and less.
When people tell me they are allergic to cats, I tell them to get out of the city and breathe fresh air for a couple of days a week. Most of them find out their asthma was due to pollution.

You're so right! Of course in a lot of cases, children can just 'outgrow' early problems no matter where they are, but fresh air (what's that?) probably makes a big difference. I remember when I was a little kid people made a big deal out of asthma because there were no meds like they have today, and a LOT of families moved their children to Arizona where it was drier (it apparently helped). I was SO allergic to cats when I was young - 2 mins in a house with cats and I was a mess, but when I was about 20, I suddenly realized I was no longer allergic (could all my smoking have scared it away?) and have had cats ever since (thank goodness!).

The best explanation I've heard for the proliferation of asthma is overly clean environments, and this deal with the cats would fall right into line with that. Kids are protected from exposure to all sorts of dust and dander and never develop a resistance to them.

The best explanation I've heard for the proliferation of asthma is overly clean environments, and this deal with the cats would fall right into line with that. Kids are protected from exposure to all sorts of dust and dander and never develop a resistance to them.

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This has always been my belief as well, mrblanche! Luckily, for me, I have a mother who has always thought this. We had a veritable zoo in our house when I was growing up - and neither my brother nor myself have any allergies. In fact, no one in my family does (including cousins) and all of us were raised in households with multiple pets. Hm. I

I was allergic to cats and then bit the bullet and got them. It was a tough go in the beginning. I had to keep windows open, buy air filters and use medicine. I actually used a homeopathic remedy and it worked. I am no longer allergic to cats. I have asthma too. I am allergic to dogs but we had them growing up so it waned after time too.

When a person gets allergy shots that is basically what they are doing. Exposing you to the allergen until you get over it.

My fiance has always had extremly bad asthma, and grew up with cats, but since its always bad anyways he cant blame it on miss kitty I dont know if growing up with them helps or not...I hear they have a shot in France that pretty much cures asthma, but its not allowed in the US of course