A study has found that dogs can improve a child's gut microbiome, potentially linked to better overall health. The results are published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH). Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can lead to severe complications and reduced quality of life. The incidence among children under 10 years of age has doubled since 1995. In the new paper, researchers evaluated environmental factors that influence the development of Crohn's disease in children. The authors analyzed data from five thousand people. During the observation period, 120 people became ill. Scientists found that the risk of developing Crohn's disease was lower in those who lived with a dog between the ages of 5 and 15 years. They also had a healthier composition of the intestinal microbiome - the community of microbes living in the intestines. Crohn's disease was also less likely to develop in those who lived in a large family for the first year of life. The presence of poultry during follow-up, on the other hand, was associated with an increased risk of Crohn's disease. The scientists created a machine learning model to predict the risk of Crohn's disease. By knowing a particular person's risk, they will be able to find ways to reduce it, such as through diet, supplements, or other means.