Pet ownership is associated with increased risk of non‐atopic asthma and reduced risk of atopy in childhood: findings from a <scp>UK</scp> birth cohort

Abstract

Pet ownership during pregnancy and childhood in this birth cohort was consistently associated with a reduced risk of aeroallergen sensitization and atopic asthma at the age of 7, but tended to be associated (particularly for rabbits and rodents) with an increased risk of non-atopic asthma. The opposing effects on atopy vs. non-atopic asthma might be considered by parents when they are deciding whether to acquire a pet.