Pet germs can keep your baby healthy

You don’t need to worry about pet germs making your baby sick. A study from Canada shows that having a pet in the house can protect infants from future allergies and obesity. Researchers from the University of Alberta found higher levels of two types of microbes in babies born into a house with pets. These microbes, known as ruminococcus and oscillospira, can reduce childhood allergies and lower their body mass index. Their studies also suggest that pets exposure can lower the risk of B strep, which could cause blood infections. Anita Kozyrskyj, an epidemiologist at the University of Alberta, predicts that pharmacists will want to create a “dog in pill” to create similar effects.