Living with cats does not worsen asthma in children, suggests study

A new study challenges the common belief that cat ownership worsens childhood asthma, one of the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting children globally. Asthma affects an estimated 9.1% of children and 11.0% of adolescents worldwide, with rates exceeding 20% in the British Isles and parts of Oceania and the Middle East. While established risk factors include air pollution, smoking exposure, viral infections, obesity, and allergies like eczema or hay fever, this research suggests pet cats may not be the threat parents feared. This finding could provide reassurance to families considering cat ownership or those already living with feline companions.