What dog parent hasn’t gotten at least one lick on the mouth? Some of us are grossed out and try to prevent the behavior, while others embrace these “kisses” wholeheartedly. But is it safe to let your dog give you kisses, and what else should we know about our dog’s mouths?
In this article, we’ll talk about safety, brushing your dog’s teeth, and more.
Are Dog Mouths Cleaner than Human Mouths?
A dog’s mouth being cleaner than a human mouth is a myth. It may have originated from dogs licking their wounds, or perhaps it was made up by someone who wanted to justify allowing their dog to give kisses!
While dog mouths are no cleaner than human mouths, they’re also not necessarily dirtier. Both dogs and humans have plenty of bacteria in their mouths, some of which are healthy and beneficial, and others which can cause illness.
It’s difficult to compare since we’re different animals. A study done in 2012 found a 16.4% overlap in oral bacteria between dogs and humans, meaning 83.6% is unique to each species.
Is It Okay to Let Your Dog Kiss You?
Whether or not you allow your dog to kiss you and others depends on your preferences and risk analysis. It’s uncommon to contract illness from puppy kisses, but not impossible. Young children, seniors, and immunocompromised people are most likely to be affected.
Below, we’ll discuss the risks associated with dog saliva to help you make an informed decision.
Infections and Disease
Dog saliva may naturally carry the following infections and diseases:
- Bartonella
- Pasteurella
- Capnocytophaga
In addition, there is a risk of contracting E. Coli if your dog has eaten poop on their last trip outside.
If your dog has rabies, you don’t need to be bitten to contract it yourself. Any time an infected animal’s saliva gets into your eyes, mouth, or open wounds, there is a risk of contraction. However, most dogs do not have rabies and there is no risk if your dog’s rabies vaccine is up to date.
Raw Diets
If your dog eats raw or undercooked food or treats, they’re more likely to spread disease to you and your human family. This is one reason that the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) recommends against raw pet food.
Not only can dogs carry Salmonella, Listeria, and other bacteria in their mouths after eating contaminated raw food, but it will spread to anything they’ve licked and anything their food has touched. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also discusses the risks of raw food to you and your dog’s health.
Open Wounds
Whether a dog licks your open wound or their own, there is an infection risk. Dogs developed the instinct to lick their wounds to soothe the pain and remove debris, since they can’t wash themselves using soap. However, too much licking can increase the risk of infection or worsen the injury. This is the reason veterinarians have dogs wear the “cone of shame” after surgeries.
For human wounds licked by dogs, the risk of infection is greater. If your dog licks your wound, wash it with soap and water as soon as possible. Discourage them from doing so in the future and cover it around them if they seem especially interested.
Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth doesn’t eliminate the risks associated with doggy kisses or licking. While it can reduce them, we’ll never fully eliminate all bacteria in our dog’s mouths–nor do we want to, as some bacteria are beneficial.
Still, it’s an excellent idea to brush your dog’s teeth daily. While it’s unlikely to impact your health, it greatly reduces your dog’s chance of developing deadly conditions such as heart, kidney, and liver disease. This is because dental health is closely tied to the health of these organs.
Remember to only use dog toothpaste, as human toothpaste is toxic to dogs. You can use any toothbrush or even your finger to apply the toothpaste.
Alternatives to Teeth Brushing
While nothing is as effective as brushing your dog’s teeth manually, some dogs just won’t allow this. Some alternatives include:
- Chew toys
- Dental treats and chews
- Water additives
- Dental sprays
- Teeth wipes
- Dental diets
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has a list of proven products for cleaning your dog’s teeth. However, we recommend avoiding bones for your dog, even those on the VOHC list. Cooked bones splinter and can cause injuries to your dog’s digestive system, and raw bones carry the same risks as raw meat.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, dog mouths can be pretty gross, but dogs giving kisses is usually harmless. Those with compromised immune systems may want to be more careful around their pups since even healthy dogs can transfer bacteria that can make humans sick.
To keep your dog’s mouth as clean as possible and reduce their risk of health problems as they age, brush their teeth daily.