There is no doubt that our dogs teach us the meaning of unconditional love. No matter what, they are always excited to see us, and frequently, they greet us at the door with dog kisses!
According to a study from the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Lisbon, which may be providing us with more than just slobber.
According to the study, dogs, cats, and their owners all have bacteria on their hands that they may have picked up from our pets’ kisses on our mouths or from not washing our hands well enough after handling their waste or cleaning the litter box.
BOSTON, MA. – On October 6, 2019, in Boston, Massachusetts, Colby Dame of Rockland is pinned by his dog Olive en route to winning the kissing competition at Dogtoberfest at Harpoon. (Photo By Mary Schwalm/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) ( (Getty s).
But what worries researchers is that the bacteria that is being spread is resistant to antibiotics.
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They found that antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, such as E. coli, were present in half of the infected pets they tested. coli. That does concern Urgent Care Specialists, like Dr. Nathan Newman, of the Medical Director of UrgentMED.
He said, “I understand that it’s difficult to refuse those love licks.” But consider the tongue-licking scenario where the dog pees before kissing you.
At the Redondo Beach Dog park, we registered both people and dogs. See what the word was in our story, and feel free to share your thoughts on it with us as well as those of your canine companions.
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Could you make each other sick?
According to Fobian, there are “a large number and a wide variety of bacteria” in both human and canine mouths. Thankfully, the majority of it doesn’t make us sick, but some of it can Dogs can lick humans and transmit parasites like giardia, hookworm, and roundworm. Salmonella can also be passed from your dog to you or the other way around.
You won’t give your dog a cold, and they won’t give you their cough because viruses typically only affect one species at a time.
If youâre not healthy, skip it. Simply refrain from kissing animals if you have a compromised immune system, advises Fobian That includes those who have HIV/AIDS, have undergone organ transplantation, and are taking cancer medications that impair the body’s capacity to fight off infection.
Even if you contract one of these diseases from your pet, it’s usually not serious. People with weakened immune systems, such as the young, old, and those who are immunocompromised due to medical conditions, are the main exception to this rule. According to the CDC, individuals in these groups may be more likely to contract these diseases (and their associated complications).
“On just an overall level of cleanliness, [kissing your pet’s mouth is] not good,” Omai Garner, Ph.D., assistant clinical professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and associate director of clinical microbiology in the UCLA Health System, tells SELF.
For instance, a tiny 2015 PLOS One study that did DNA sequencing on the oral microbiome of four dogs and their owners (along with two people who didn’t have dogs) pointed out that canine oral bacteria may not survive in the lower-pH, more acidic human mouth. Cats appear to have a similar oral pH as dogs, for what it’s worth.Most Popular
You could potentially contract a wide range of diseases by giving a cat or dog a mouth kiss. However, Garner claims that if you did contract anything, which is again extremely unlikely, it would likely be an unpleasant but typically not serious gastrointestinal ailment.
Giardia, a microscopic intestinal parasite that can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, gas, and vomiting in cats, dogs, and humans, is another potential GI infection you could contract from a pet, according to the CDC. It is spread by swallowing fecal particles containing the parasite. Again, having a cat or dog lowers your risk of contracting an infection. According to the CDC, humans typically contract a different strain of giardia than cats and dogs do. The CDC notes that other pet species, like rodents, are more likely to harbor human-infecting strains of the parasite.
Can Dogs React Badly to Being Kissed?
Some dogs do not appreciate kisses, especially on the mouth. A sign that your dog does not want to be kissed is when they flinch or flee.
When you try to kiss your dog, if they melt to the ground and bow their heads, it may be because they feel threatened.
According to some studies, kissing a dog on the head might make it feel anxious. When you kiss your dog, if they sink into the ground and lower their head, it may be an indication that they are feeling threatened.
Additionally, if you approach a dog’s face too closely, they might become hostile. Little ones shouldn’t be permitted to kiss dogs because if they become overly boisterous, the dog’s behavior may quickly change.
You are in the best position to understand your dog’s behavior and determine whether they enjoy kisses. It should go without saying that you never attempt to kiss another person’s dog because you have no idea what the dog is like.
FAQ
Is it OK to kiss my dog on the head?
It depends. Shojai states, “If the dog has adapted to receiving kisses on top of the head, then that’s fine.” “However, I’d find other, more species-appropriate ways to show affection for a dog that’s new to you.” The fact is that some dogs just don’t enjoy kisses.
Can dogs feel when you kiss?
Dogs don’t comprehend human kisses in the same way that humans do, say animal behaviorists. Young puppies haven’t yet learned to associate kisses with affection, so you might not notice any signs of recognition at all when giving them a kiss.
Is it OK to hug and kiss your dog?
When using human affectionate expressions that dogs don’t reciprocate, like kissing and hugging, we must be mindful of the dog’s reactions. Keep a close eye out for any indications of stress, anxiety, or defensiveness in his body language. If we find other ways to show our love, some dogs will be happier (and humans will be safer).