A family pet can stop childhood food allergies.

Japanese researchers found children who were exposed to a pet in their younger years were 15 percent less likely to have a food allergy. Just the pet being around a mother while she is pregnant can drop food allergy likelihood, as the benefits begin in the womb.

Those who grew up with dogs were less likely to be allergic to eggs, milk and nuts, while cats reduced a child’s risk of egg, wheat and soybean allergy.

A leading theory behind the rise in allergies is the ‘hygiene hypothesis.’

Living conditions in much of the world might be too clean. Germs train immune systems to tell the difference between harmless and harmful irritants.