How Safe Are Dog Kisses?
Many dog owners let their dog lick them over the face. Such a “kiss” of the four-legged friend is highly questionable from a hygienic point of view – and can make you ill.
Dogs like to show their love for their master and mistress by slapping their hands or face. Although this is emotionally understandable, dog owners should reconsider this habit. Not only the Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf (IVH) advises to always think about hygiene.
Beware of bacteria
As cute as your four-legged friend may be, during the day he hangs his snout in any disgusting source of dirt. The bacteria and germs that he picks up when sniffing, the dog transmits through his saliva. So if you kiss your dog directly on the mouth, you can catch some diseases. Among the pathogens are the so-called Pasteurella multocida bacteria, which settle in the nasal mucous membrane and throat of humans. These bacteria, which usually go undetected in pets, can lead to blood poisoning, bone and pneumonia, and meningitis.
Another dangerous bacterium is the Capnocytophaga canimorsus. This pathogen can also spread unhindered in the body of dogs and cats without being noticed. For us humans, an infection with the germs can even be life-threatening – endocarditis and gangrene can be the result.
What to do for a dog kiss?
To protect yourself from bacteria, you should follow a few small rules. As difficult as it may be: Better not take your four-legged friends to bed with you. Not only germs, but also ticks and fleas are transmitted through contact. You should also rinse your mouth with plenty of water after kissing the dog’s snout. Ideally, you should also clean the skin with soap and water.
Or you can just keep it relaxed, like some stars who are obviously in great shape despite kissing the dog. Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner or Kaley Cuoco constantly kiss their furry noses on the mouth – and proudly present the photo result on their social media channels.
Kaley Cuoco even shares a spoon with her dog Norman Cook.
Kisses to bb mc fwummmm bb milky ❤️👶🏼💕 @MTV premier tonight 7/6c pic.twitter.com/rHKO1P3p2a
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) December 11, 2015
Miley Cyrus posts dog kissing pics on her social media channels almost weekly.