This study investigated the association between simultaneous allergic traits in dogs and their owners, living environment, lifestyle, and microbial exposures. 168 dog-owner pairs were evaluated for skin and gut microbiota, living environment, and lifestyle. Results showed a higher risk of simultaneous allergic traits in urban environments, with partially shared skin microbiota between dog-owner pairs. Urban environments homogenized both dog and human skin microbiota. Certain bacterial taxa associated with living environment and lifestyle were linked to allergic traits, but these differed between dogs and humans. The study concludes that dogs and humans can be predisposed to allergy by similar risk factors, but shared predisposing or protective bacterial taxa were not identified.

Jenni Lehtimäki, Hanna Sinkko, Anna Hielm-Björkman, Tiina Laatikainen, Lasse Ruokolainen, Hannes Lohi