If you don't have pets because you're afraid of germs or bothered by dust and pet hair, perhaps this article will change your mind. Living with a dog or a cat could, in fact, be a real tonic for the whole family. Here's why:

1- Fewer allergies, asthma and coughs in children

There are several studies on the subject. One, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by the Medical College of Georgia, argues that living with two or more dogs and cats halves the risk of developing allergies. The credit would go to contact with certain substances found in the mouths of four-legged friends, which are said to have a protective effect. Meanwhile, a 2012 study from the University of California, San Francisco, found that the presence of dogs in the home generates dust that protects young children from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the seasonal virus responsible for a number of respiratory conditions in children (including childhood asthma). Finally, a study from Kuopio, in Finland, conducted over 12 months on 400 children under the age of one, showed that children living in contact with pets displayed a reduction in complaints such as coughing, wheezing and rhinitis (-30 per cent) and ear problems (-50 per cent).

2- A healthier heart

Not only in the metaphorical sense, but in the literal one too. According to data from February 2014 published by the American Heart Association, people who own a dog or a cat reduce their risk of heart attack, both because of the emotional support provided by pets and because of the physical activity they encourage. According to the study, for example, dog owners experience a reduction in blood pressure and are 54 per cent more likely to maintain good physical fitness than other patients.

3- Early diagnosis

Dogs (if trained) have the unique ability to detect, through their sense of smell, lung cancer in its early stages. This is claimed by a 2011 study published in the European Respiratory Journal, carried out on 220 volunteers: the four-legged animals were able to identify the disease in 93 per cent of cases, following strict research protocols.

4- Support for those with serious conditions

The use of pets in pet therapy is well known, as is the fact that dogs can be trained to provide assistance to people with serious illnesses. A study published in Ethos – Journal of the Society for Psychological Anthropology in March 2010 demonstrated, in particular, how dogs help children with autism to communicate and interact with the world, improving their socialisation skills.

5- A longer life and a healthier mind

According to a 2009 study by the Humane Society of the United States, elderly people who own a dog or a cat are less depressed and suffer less from loneliness. Indeed, a four-legged companion can help them find a reason to live, noticeably improving their mood and psychophysical wellbeing.