Some pet owners are a little more liberal with doggy kisses than others. Some of us channel a little more Lucy than others, avoiding contact with our pet’s tongue at all costs, while others believe that dogs have very clean mouths and don’t mind the extra affection.
So which is it?
Read on to learn more than you ever wanted to know about kissing your dog.
Why Dogs Lick
As with many quirky behaviors, licking is an instinctual means of communication for many animals. Wolves and wild dogs allow puppies to lick at their face as a sign of immaturity. This action may encourage a mother dog to regurgitate her meal and feed her pups. Often, when domestic dogs lick us, it is a remnant of this submissive behavior.
Dogs may lick us for other reasons, too, though. These can include:
- Anxiety
- Endorphin release
- They like how you taste
- As a means to get what they want
- Obsessive compulsive and other mental disorders
Chances are that your dog isn’t really “kissing” you when he comes in with the tongue; it’s more likely that licking is just a harmless, instinctual doggy behavior. If it seems to be obsessive, however, it may be worth letting us know so that we can be sure there is not a deeper medical problem at play.
Kissing Your Dog
If you are okay with swapping spit with your pet on a behavioral level, you may be wondering how safe kissing your dog really is. If you choose to smooch your pooch, keep in mind that despite popular belief, your pet’s mouth is most definitely not cleaner than your own. It doesn’t take too much creativity to think about where your dog’s tongue has been recently and why you might not want it in your mouth.
That being said, the bacteria that reside in a dog’s mouth are probably no big deal for most people’s immune systems. You may think twice if you are immunocompromised for any reason, though. Salmonella infections, as well as several intestinal parasites, could potentially be swapped this way.
Likewise, you may want to be sure that your pet’s dental health is in check before you allow this type of interaction. Dental disease can greatly increase the number of bacteria in your pet’s mouth, contributing to that dreaded doggy breath.
It is also important to remember that any dog (yes, even your beloved pooch) could potentially bite or nip under the right circumstances. It is smart to think carefully before letting him or her get so close to your face.
Billings Animal Family Hospital is all about loving our pets, but there are also some good reasons to limit licking when possible. Use your discretion when kissing your dog, but certainly don’t hesitate to love on your pet whenever the mood strikes you.
