Should you let your dog lick you

Why You Shouldn't Let Your Dog Lick Your Face, From a Vet

There are many ways that a dog can show physical affection, but the main one is licking. Dogs are prone to licking our hands, legs, feet and, especially, the face.

Debate rages as to whether you should let a dog lick your face, mainly due to misconceptions around their cleanliness, and specifically about how clean their mouths are.

Newsweek spoke to Judy Korman, DVM, veterinary consultant with formula company MYOS Pet, about whether you should let a dog's mouth near your face, how to keep your dog's mouth healthy, and any potential health risks.

Is My Dog's Mouth Cleaner Than Mine?

The short answer is no, dog mouths are not cleaner than those of humans. Dogs carry around 600 different types of bacteria species in their mouths.

"Like many myths, it is unclear how the myth that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans got started or took hold," Korman told Newsweek, "Perhaps it started with the observation that a dog's saliva must have healing properties since dogs typically lick their cuts and wounds, attempting to heal them."

Another possible explanation is that the saliva and bacteria in a dog's mouth create an environment that can prevent the formation of cavities. "The pH of a dog's mouth is less acidic than that of their human counterparts. This reduces the risk of cavities, but does not lower the risk of them getting periodontal disease, which is also caused by bacteria," said Korman.

Should I Let My Dog Lick My Face?

"It's important to remember that it is rare for people to acquire infections from their dogs," said Korman. However, there are some potential scenarios where it might not be the best idea.

"Dogs love to lick our faces, as this is often how they greet and show affection to members of their pack," she said. "If you enjoy face licks from your dog, then you should go for it, but be aware of certain situations that can make the practice a bit risky."

If you are immunocompromised, have a newborn baby, or allergic to the saliva of a dog, then it may be a good idea to avoid licks as certain germs and bacteria can be transmitted through dog saliva.

"Also, avoid face licks from dogs that have a tendency to eat their own or another animal's poop," advised Korman. "Germs, whose route of transmission is oral to fecal (e.g. some intestinal parasites, bacteria and viruses), can uncommonly be transferred from dogs to humans if the dog has recently ingested these germs by eating infected animal feces and subsequently licks your mouth."

There are some bacterial infections that can be transmitted to humans, but they are rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control a family of bacteria called Capnocytophaga that resides in the mouths of dogs can cause some issues for humans.

"Typically, the person would need to be bitten by the dog or have an open wound or cut for the bacteria to enter the person's body," said Korman, "Most people who have such contact with a dog do not become sick. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of becoming ill.

"Yersinia enterocolitica is another type of bacteria that can be transmitted to people by a dog bite. It may cause gastrointestinal disease in some, particularly those with weakened immune systems," she added.

Can I Eat Food My Dog Has Licked?

Unless your dog is incredibly well-trained or not at all interested in human food, it's usually a risk to leave them alone with your intended dinner. If they do have a penchant for human food, depending on whether it's a couple of licks or a complete decimation, you may wish to salvage some of your chow.

"It should be safe to eat food that your dog has licked, provided you know where your dog's mouth has been," Korman said, "Dogs that eat their or another animal's feces can pick up germs that they can then pass onto the food they lick. Theoretically, if a person then eats the food they can contract the germ and become infected. However, this type of transmission is rare."

It is possible for people to be allergic to canine saliva. "In fact," said Korman, "some studies show that it is the proteins in dog saliva, not dog dander or hair, that is the culprit causing the allergic reaction in people with dog allergies."

Top Tips For Keeping Your Dog's Mouth Clean

Although there are some risks involved in contact with dog saliva and mouth bacteria, they are low. However, there are things you can do to improve the cleanliness of your dog's mouth.

"Infections of the teeth and gums, called periodontal disease, is one of the most common problems affecting a dog's mouth," said Korman, adding, "It is associated with an overgrowth of certain bacteria in the dog's mouth and affects up to 90 percent of all dogs at some point in their lives. Your dog's bad breath may be a sign that they have periodontal disease. Regular teeth cleanings, performed by a veterinarian, are the best way to combat this disease."

The best way to keep your dog's mouth clean is to prevent the build-up of tartar and bacteria that can cause periodontal disease.

Korman's Top Tips For Keeping Your Dog's Mouth Clean

• Brush your dog's teeth daily
• Use antiseptic drops in their water
• Provide clean water daily
• Do not allow your dog to pick up feces
• Take your dog to the vet for regular (yearly) teeth cleanings
• Give your dog dental chews daily to prevent the buildup of tartar and bacteria

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Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Should You Let Your Dog Lick Your Face?

It seems harmless enough. You get nose to nose with your dog and talk to it as it laps at your mouth and cheeks with its tongue, or you come home from work and bring your lips to your dogs in a greeting to say hello.

It may feel like the ultimate display of affection, but when it comes to such kisses, experts caution: Beware of dogs.

Whats the harm?

Dr. Neilanjan Nandi, an assistant professor of medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, said in an email that most animals mouths are host to an enormous oral microbiome of bacteria, viruses and yeast.

Dr. Nandi says a dogs saliva has proteins that may help cleanse or heal its own wounds, but in a paragraph titled Why Not to Make Out With Your Pet, he noted, There are some organisms unique to dogs that we were simply not meant to tolerate or combat.

Some bacteria in dogs mouths are zoonotic, meaning the animals can pass them to humans and cause disease.

Some common zoonotic bacteria include clostridium, E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, which can cause severe gastrointestinal disease in humans, said Dr. Leni K. Kaplan, a lecturer of community practice service at Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine.

So I shouldnt let my dog lick me at all?

Not entirely.

When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially in a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be very little absorption through the skin, Dr. Kaplan wrote in an email.

However, a dogs saliva and pathogens can be absorbed more easily through the mucous membranes of a persons nose, mouth and eyes. Though illnesses transmitted this way are rare, Dr. Kaplan said it was best to avoid having your dog lick those parts of your face.

John Oxford, a professor of virology at Queen Mary University of London and an expert in microbiology, said he would never let a dog lick his face, The Hippocratic Post reported.

It is not just what is carried in saliva, he said. Dogs spend half of their life with their noses in nasty corners or hovering over dog droppings so their muzzles are full of bacteria, viruses and germs of all sorts.

What other illnesses can be transmitted?

Other infections, such as hookworms and roundworms, can be transmitted in a practice called coprophagia, in which animals ingest one anothers stool or by licking each others anuses, Dr. Nandi said in an email.

Dr. Joe Kinnarney, the immediate past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said in an interview that one study calculated that a puppy could have as many as 20 million to 30 million roundworm eggs in its intestinal tract in one week. He said a clients child at his practice in Greensboro, N.C., nearly lost an eye from a roundworm infection.

It is conceivable that a dog with fecal material in its mouth could transmit an intestinal parasite to a human through licking, but that is rare, Dr. Sarah Proctor, a clinical assistant professor and the director of the veterinary technology program at the University of New Hampshire, said in an email.

More commonly, a parasite can be contracted by ingesting contaminated soil via a home garden, for example where pets have left their droppings.

President Obama even touched on the subject in an interview with Wired magazine that was published in August:

I still dont let Sunny and Bo lick me, because when I walk them on the side lawn, some of the things I see them picking up and chewing on, I dont want that, man, Mr. Obama said, laughing.

Are there other hazards?

Dr. Proctor says people should be aware that not all dogs want to be hugged or kissed.

Most people do not pick up on a dogs subtle body language that shows fear, stress or aggression, she wrote. Putting your face into a dogs face and kissing it could lead to a bite on the face if you are not careful.

What about, you know, cats?

Cats do not eat feces, and humans are therefore unlikely to become infected by parasites from them, according to the website petMD.

Cats mouths do harbor Pasteurella, which can cause infections of the skin and lymph node, and Bartonella henselae, a bacterium that can cause a severe skin and lymph node infection known as cat scratch fever, the website reported.

Most of those infections come from bites or scratches.

What precautions should I take?

Experts recommend:

Make sure your pet is current on all vaccines.

New pets should undergo deworming.

Keep your pets away from the feces of other animals.

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Heres how to do it right.

Arden Moore, who hosts Oh Behave, a podcast on Pet Life Radio, said in an email that she welcomed the occasional kiss from her five dogs and one cat, and kisses the tops of their heads in return.

Pets, just like people, crave attention and affection, she said. As long as I remain healthy and my pets stay healthy, I will take this risk and accept their kisses.

Should You Allow Your Dog to Lick Your Wounds?

Previous generations upheld the belief that dog mouths are cleaner than human mouths, but this myth has been debunked in recent years. In fact, it is well known that dogs carry loads of oral bacteria, none of which should be shared with people. It may seem harmless to allow your dog to lick your wounds, but experts recommend otherwise.

Its Only Natural

If you have a cut, scrape, burn, or bite, your dog may try to offer a measure of comfort or relief by way of their tongue. Practitioners in ancient Egypt used to apply canine saliva to human wounds. While modern medicine has determined that there are powerful antimicrobial enzymes present in a dogs mouth, the negative effects far surpass any positive ones.

Instincts and Behaviors

The act of licking is not only supposed to soothe your wounds, but it releases serotonin in your dogs brain that makes them feel good. When your dog is ill or injured, they lick themselves to feel better, something they learned from their mother or other members of their pack. In other words, theyre practicing something on you that they instinctively feel will help you improve.

One of the Pack

As the leader of your dogs pack, they may show submission to you by licking. This is an act of affection and also gives them a feeling of security, but it may be worthwhile to try and distract them from the behavior by playing with them or taking them outside.

Oral Petri Dish

Dog saliva does have certain properties that may help wounds heal, but as a rule they shouldnt be allowed to lick. Dogs can do more harm than good when licking at their own injuries. Dissolving stitches, reopening wounds, and exacerbating infections can be the result of over-licking.

Dont Permit Your Dog to Lick Your Wounds

Unfortunately, allowing or encouraging your dog to lick your wounds could result in a dangerous infection. Among other potential risks, dogs can carry the bacteria capnocytophaga. In people with compromised immune systems, this bacteria can lead to terrible health consequences. Additionally, dogs with periodontal disease may transfer the oral bacteria from the disease directly into your bloodstream (depending on the state of the wound).

The good news is that there is an easy and effective prevention strategy: dont let your dog like your wounds. To go even further, train your dog not to lick you (and others) at all. That means that they shouldt use their inherited behaviors to show affection, soothe any hurts, or taste your skin.

Doggy Likes to Taste

You can deter your dog from licking your wounds by replacing the action with something else they really like. Eventually, with consistency and patience, theyll stop performing this unwanted behavior.

If you have any questions about your dogs health and behavior, please call us at (703) 920-5300. Our staff is always here for you at Arlington Animal Hospital.