Children with pet cats are less likely to develop cat allergies later in life than those who grow up without them, European researchers believe. In a recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, they examined cat ownership and allergy patterns among more than 13,500 people. Roughly one in 10 people were allergic to cats, they found.
Cat allergies are an important risk factor for asthma.
Cat allergy rates were lower in those who had pet cats as children, particularly in families with a history of allergy, where childhood cat owners had a 23 per cent lower chance of allergy. Across the whole population, adults who had a cat in childhood were 6 per cent less likely to suffer cat allergies as adults. The authors note that many attempts had been made to reduce cat allergy in childhood by reducing exposure to cats, but the initial benefits wore over time. The Age Company Ltd 1999. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.