Diamonds in the Ruff: Be Careful With That "Kiss"

Be Careful With That "Kiss"

pets.webmd.com- There are a lot of dog owners that kiss their fur babies and there is nothing wrong with that. We love our pets like our own children, they're a part of our family. But our pets are animals and there are times when our pets I've heard from several people over the years say, “a dog’s mouth is cleaner than ours (humans).” That statement has never sat well with me. Think about all the random stuff they chew on, gross food, or animal carcasses, and let’s not forget the licking of their posteriors! Now I’m not saying I don’t “kiss” my dog, but I let her lick my checks. The truth is, those bacteria aren’t significant health risks for most people. Having a healthy awareness of what could be in your dog’s mouth, says Clark Fobian, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Here are a few things t consider before you smooch your pooch.

Think About This

What was your dog doing before you kissed him? “You have to think of where their nose has been,” Fobian says. “Has it been inside a dead opossum on the side of the road, or the posterior of another dog, or in the litter box?” Just because you kissing your dog on his snout or the top of his head does not mean you are in the clear. When a dog has an infection -- say, in his ear -- germs can end up all over his body through scratching, Fobian says. And there’s a good chance that whatever infection is in his mouth will end up on his coat through slobber and licking.

Could you make each other sick? Human and dog mouths have “a large number and a wide variety of bacteria,” Fobian says. Parasites like hookworm, roundworm, and giardia can be passed from dog to human through licking. Salmonella, too, can be passed from your dog to you, or vice versa. Bet you did not think you could get your dog sick.

If you’re sick, think twice. If you have a weak immune system, you should avoid kissing your pets. That includes those with HIV/AIDS, those who have had an organ transplant, and those who are on medicines for cancer that limits the body’s ability to fight off infection.

Get the message from your dog! I know I’m guilty of this one. Some dog’s, like mine, do not want to be kissed or have your face close to theirs. A dog who doesn’t want to be kissed will show his stress by leaning away, looking away, pursing and licking his lips.

“A lot of people miss those signs, and when they try to kiss the dog, the dog snaps at them,” says Melissa Bain, DVM, assistant professor at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. It’s not much different from trying to kiss a human who doesn’t want to be kissed. “We respect people who are like that; we should also respect dogs who are like that,” Bain says.