The study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found at age 3, children who had made antibodies to cats early in life were more likely to have wheeze, a respiratory symptom associated with asthma. However, by age 5, the same children who had grown up with a pet cat were found to be less likely to have wheeze.

Researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health said the findings suggest that prolonged cat ownership and early life exposure to cats may have a protective effect against early asthma indicators, such as wheeze, as children reach age 5.

"While the study design does not allow us to recommend early cat ownership to prevent asthma, it does seem to indicate that avoidance of cats to prevent the development of asthma is not advised," lead author Matthew Perzanowski said in a statement.

However, once a child has asthma and is allergic to cats, the recommendation would still be to find a new home for the cat.