Pet dogs may increase snoring risk

Keeping a pet dog increases a baby's chances of growing into a snoring adult, say scientists.

The problem occurs because of infectious bacteria spread by dogs, researchers believe.

The bugs and their toxins are thought to simulate the lymphatic systems of newborn infants, leading to enlargement of the tonsils. This in turn creates a tendency to snore in later life, according to the theory.

Other snoring risk factors identified by the Swedish-led scientists included being hospitalised for a chest infection before the age of two, recurrent childhood ear infections, and growing up in a large family.

The team led by Dr Karl Franklin, from Umea University Hospital, questioned more than 15,500 randomly selected people from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark and Estonia about their childhood and snoring habits.

Habitual snoring, defined as "loud and disturbing snoring at least three nights a week", was reported by 18%.

The participants, who were all aged 25 to 54, were asked if any pets lived in their home when they were born or growing up as a child.

Only dogs appeared to pose a snoring risk. A similar association was not seen for cats or "other pets".

Dog exposure in infancy made a 3.4% contribution to snoring risk, which was larger than any of the other childhood factors.

The findings were published in the online journal Respiratory Research.

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