Should you kiss your dog?

Generous slobbering kisses are perhaps the best reward for dog owners. At least some of them think so. And for others, the prospect of being licked by a dog evokes nothing but disgust. Regardless of whether you enjoy playing kissing with your pet or not, let's see if it's worth letting your dog lick you.

Why does the dog lick its owner?

The dog learns to lick at birth. Immediately after birth, the mother licks the puppies to clear their airways and help them breathe on their own, while the puppies learn to lick the mother. This instinct persists in a dog throughout its life. In the process of licking, they produce endorphins that give a feeling of happiness and help relieve stress, so some animals begin to lick aggressively when they feel anxious. In a pack of dogs, licking serves as a sign of submission to the dominant members of the pack. Licking a person, however, tends to show affection for your dog, but sometimes your pet just likes your "taste."

Are dog kisses safe?

The myth that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's mouth and that its saliva has a healing effect has been completely debunked. Given the fact that they sometimes eat excrement and lick their own genitals, it can be said that the dog's mouth is in fact the "kingdom" of microbes. However, although there are dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli in the pet's saliva, as well as parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, their number is usually not large enough to pose a threat to humans, and there are extremely there is little evidence that these pathogens are transmitted through canine kissing.

When are dog kisses dangerous?

Despite the fact that for most people the risk of contracting diseases through contact with dog saliva is extremely low, for some, pet saliva is very dangerous. Portal Vet Street warns that people of these categories need to avoid such close contact with their four-legged friend:

• Children.
• Pregnant women.
• Aged people.
• People with acne and other skin conditions have open wounds and scratches on the face.
• People with lesions of the nervous system, including those undergoing chemotherapy treatment, AIDS, diabetes, or just recovering from illness.

Risk reduction

You can reduce your risk of contracting disease through licking by being a responsible owner. Regular veterinary check-ups, stool tests, deworming, and ectoparasite prophylaxis can significantly reduce the chance of infection in a pet. Correct disposal of dog excrement and thorough hand washing significantly reduces the risk of spreading disease. It is also important to thoroughly prepare food for the animal. Never feed him raw foods that could be a source of bacterial infection, such as meat or pig ears, which dogs like to chew. Above all, choose a balanced food formulated specifically for your dog's health. You also need to brush your pet's teeth regularly. to maintain oral health and prevent bacterial growth.

Put an end to canine kissing

It may not be dangerous to let your pet lick your face and lips, but if you don't want to take risks, it's best to stop this behavior in the bud. Dog trainer Victoria Stillwell told Animal Planet that the best way to wean your dog from kissing is to get up and walk away, completely ignoring the unwanted behavior each time. Thus, the dog will be deprived of the encouragement that it received in response to the kiss, and will gradually stop even trying to behave in this way.

If you enjoy exchanging kisses with your pet, you may only want to do so when your immune system is in good shape. And if the mere thought of being licked by your four-legged friend makes you run for antibacterial soap, then your attitude is also quite justified. So, letting or not letting your dog lick your face depends on your health and your willingness to take risks. After all, there are many other ways to show your love to your pet, so don't worry if kissing isn't your method.