Pet owners, your opinion on this news story, please?

Question

Here's the link to the news story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080822/hl_afp/healthchildrensnoringpetsoffbeat;_ylt=As7NwRBri0bVlQQdIsqAUEOs0NUE

Basically the story states that children who grow up with pets are more likely to snore as adults. Also children who grow up in large families.

They are stating this is serrious, since people who snore have more problems with increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks or a stroke, and can even result in premature death.

(As my own personal side note, it is also proven that pets do all kinds of wonderful things for people, like lower heart rate/blood pressure, calm them, PROLONG their lives, teach children responsibility, so-on-and-so-forth.)

Do you put any credibility to this latest study on pets/snoring link?

Or do you think it's like a study coming out and stating "Study finds people who eat use more toilet paper than people who do not eat?"

I grew up (from birth) with all kinds of extotics. Raccoon, cheetas, rabbits, turttles, cats, dog, kinkajous (sp?), lots of little fuzzy creatures you would find in a children's zoo. My mother worked at Lincoln Park Zoo when I was born.

I snore....when I have a cold/broncitis/pnuemonia. Otherwise no.

I'd love to hear the comments of other pet owners about this story.

Answer 1

I don't agree with this article.  It states the study was conducted in Sweden, where they asked 15,000 randomly selected people in Nordic countries about their early childhood and snoring habits.  I think the early ear infections and respiratory infections had more to do with it than exposure to animals.  

I have read articles indicating early exposure to dust, pets, etc, may make children less susceptible to allergies later in childhood.

Answer 2

When the results of an academic "study" conflict with common sense, it's best to put more credence in common sense.  The experimental design used in a scientific study is very narrow and limited; often the results don't generalize well to real life.

Answer 3

Just another ridiculously retarded study that doesnt mean anything

its FALSE thats bullshit just like video games and tv melt our brains right? more like games increase coordination and awareness and tv informs us on many things, bunch of losers trying to get in the paper if u ask me

Answer 4

This is just another article designed to "jerk our collective chains". The article does not base it's case for child-pets=adult snoring on an actual scientific study... but instead, the article vaguely refers to a subjectively run "random survey" (which is not a scientific "study" at all). My my, I'd say that reporting is more than likely  pretty lame these days. So often it seems to me that the average Joe journalists are getting pretty desperate for distracting things to write about, they  put "spin" on any subject they imagine will get our attention. Too bad this kind of twisted truth article will be read by some mom or dad who, as a result, won't let their child have a pet for fear the kid will snore latter on... most of us are not that gullible, unfortunately there are always the few that believe what they read.

Answer 5

Its just another story to get people going. Dogs are a good thing for people and children. When a child is raised up with a dog, its the child's best friend and protector!  

Answer 6

Well, I have grown up with pets around all my life, and only snore during allergy season.  My husband, however, has only had pets since we've been married.  Even before we were married, when he sleeps he sounds like a freight train!  So I would have to disagree with this study.

Answer 7

Snoring and/or allergies are a small price to pay for the life lessons, sense of responsibility, compassion, and unending love and friendship that pets enrich our lives with, especially children.

I can't imagine a child growing up without having a pet, they truly grow up to be better people if they have one.