Why You Should Not Kiss Your Pet On The Mouth

People often share updates on social media about smooching their dog and to be fair it's a cute way to show affection, but the bad news is that a very licky dog can actually spread a great deal of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to your mouth, and that's never good news.

I’m not saying pet owners need to stop showing affection but it is suggested that owners should avoid kissing pets on the mouth and letting them lick your mouth or nose. This close contact could potentially put adults, children, and the pets themselves at risk of transferring bugs that are resistant to antibiotics through saliva.

Statistics reveal that almost all pet owners consider pets to be a part of the family. Given these realities, it's no surprise that kissing animals is a common practice but is it safe?

ARE  DOGS MOUTHS CLEANER THAN HUMAN MOUTHS?

Marty Becker, the author of "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul", dispels his popular prejudice when he says, all you have to do is look, watch, smell and you'll realize that it's not true. They raid the garbage can. You know we give each other a peck on the cheek when we say hello, dogs give each other a peck on the rear end.

THE GERM FACTOR

This is what John Oxford, professor of virology and bacteriology at the Queen Mary University of London, says about how many bacteria your dog's muzzle and mouth can carry. It is not just what is carried in saliva. Dogs spent half their life with their noses in nasty corners and hovering over other dog's droppings. So their muzzles are full of bacteria, viruses, and germs of all sorts.
Now, what about the saliva of dogs. Is it sanitary?
They lick their wounds after all and it speeds up the process of recovery. Well, this one isn't a complete myth but such features are typical not only of animals' saliva but human saliva as well! Licking wounds is only useful for removing dirt, blood, and bacteria from the wound. Later it only harms the damaged skin. Vets have their reasons for putting on cones preventing pets from licking their stitches after an operation.

WHAT IF THESE BACTERIA GET INTO YOUR BODY?

Zoonotic diseases are here to rain on your pet-kissing parade. These illnesses can be transmitted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that pass between animals and humans. One of the major modes of transmission is coming into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected animal.

The viruses and germs that live in animals' saliva can cause some health problems in humans.
This is what happened to one British woman who contracted an infection from her dog's saliva. She began to notice that her speech sounded more and more slurred. That made her worry and she contacted a doctor. Blood tests revealed that she had an infection due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteria, commonly found in the mouths of dogs and cats. As the woman didn't have any marks or bites or scratches, the doctors concluded that the bacteria were transferred through the dog's kisses. Moreover, this case wasn't the only one. Thirteen similar problems were registered across the UK.

WHAT OTHER DISEASES CAN YOU CATCH FROM YOUR PET? 

Unfortunately, the list of infections that can be contracted between people and their pets is frighteningly long. Ringworm infection is one of the most common diseases that you can get from kissing your dog or cat. If your pet is infected with ringworm and you kiss them then you'll catch the disease too. It may sound as if this infection is caused by a worm but in fact, the reason is a fungus. On humans, it itches a lot and looks like a red circle of skin that appeals away.
MRSA infection usually affects the skin as well and it can be caused by just one lick from your dog.
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus is a bacteria that can cause health problems if it enters your body through an open wound.
To sum it up bacterial infections, parasitic infections, fungal infections, viral infections- you name it and it will be there. All of them can be transmitted to a person from their beloved furry family members. Even if you get one of these illnesses from your pet, it typically won’t be serious. The major exception to this rule is people with weak immune systems, like the young, elderly, and those who are immunocompromised due to health conditions. People in these groups may be at higher risk of getting these illnesses

NOW, HOW TO PREVENT HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OWNING A PET? 

First of all, you should know that if you feel under the weather or about to fall ill, skip close contact with your pet! Because your immune system is weakened at such moments. As a result, the body's natural protection is not that strong. So while in any other case you would be able to fight off infection from your pet, under these circumstances you are more likely to catch it.

Also, there are other rules to follow-

• Don't kiss your animals.
• Don't let them lick your face.
• Don't ever feed your pets at the table.
• Never share your dishes with them.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after having any contact with animals.
• Vaccinate your pet against common diseases promptly.
• Use special anti-bacterial and anti-fungal shampoos when you wash your pets.
• Make sure your dog or cat has no contact with wild or stray animals.
• When walking your dog, watch they don't eat anything off the street.
• Don't give them raw eggs, meat, or fish.
• Regularly clean and disinfect your pet's feeding bowl and do general cleaning in the house using disinfecting solutions.
• See a vet immediately if your pet is not feeling well or if he/she refuses to eat or suffers from digestive orders. 

At the end of the day, it’s unlikely that you’ll get really sick from smooching your pet. But if you want to take those slim odds down a few notches, show your affection in other ways.

Stick to these rules and you and your ball of fluff will be healthy and happy!!