Why You Can’t Always Let Your Dog Lick Your Face
It is a common myth that a dog’s mouth is actually cleaner than a human’s, but unfortunately this is just a myth (it may depend on the company of people you keep). It turns out that a wide variety of bacteria live in the mouth and tongue of an ordinary dog.
The New York Times recently decided to answer this question about cleanliness, and as you’d expect, a dog’s mouth can house a whole vivid cluster of bacteria and viruses. It may even include salmonella and E. coli, Dr. Leni K. Kaplan told the newspaper, in addition to the germs they acquired by sticking their noses in fun and interesting places. Common parasites that emerge from another animal’s stool – as dogs are enthusiastic about curious research – can also catch the ride. Snuggling with a dog, though, is a pretty rare way to get this kind of infection.
This all may sound like a horror show if you just let your beagle get to first base, but the good news is that anyone with a healthy immune system does n’t really need to worry too much. Your dog’s saliva is a paradise for microscopic creatures, but it is unlikely that you will get so sick. Just make sure your pets are vaccinated and you wash your hands regularly. Now that I know that the old myth about dog cleanliness isn’t true, I think I’ll be a little less friendly with Fido. Read the full explanation in the protocol to learn more about kissing your dog.
Should you let your dog lick your face? | The New York Times via NYMag
Update : We already covered this topic of Dr. Kaplan a few months ago , but the Times interview is different and worth reading. Then click on the link below to watch the explanation in the video.