CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A new study on pets found a link with our furry friends and a common health problem. This study found a connection between owning a pet and a higher risk for irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Researchers say it may be due to a couple of things.
The first may be exposure to the waste products of animals. Canine and feline feces may disrupt human gut microbiomes. These are certain genes in the body we are still learning more about.
The other may simply have to do with who owns a pet. People prone to anxiety and depression are also prone to IBS. Many are also pet owners due to the uplifting and calming power of pets.
The link to IBS comes from a meta-analysis of five studies from around the world. These were analyzed at East Tennessee State University and was released as part of Digestive Disease Week's annual meeting.
It's not clear if certain pets pose more of a risk than others, and it appears the risk goes up with even pets like birds and hamsters.
The authors of this study say this research isn't conclusive -- only an association -- so more studies need to be done. They want to just raise the conversation and don't advocate yet that people don't have pets at home.
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