By Stephanie Ostrowski
This is a very polarizing question. Hundreds of thousands of people "kiss" their dogs every day and an equal number of animal lovers are completely against it. Meanwhile, the great debate rages on. "To kiss or not to kiss - that is the question."
There are many myths surrounding dog kisses. Some believe a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's, while others think their pet's mouths are sterile and have no germs at all. The truth is that neither is true. In fact, (as long as you brush you
r dog's teeth), a dog's mouth is probably equally as dirty or clean as a human's. That being said there are still several things to consider in the great, "to kiss or not to kiss" debate.
Can I catch an illness from my dog?
Technically you can- however, it is highly unlikely. According to veterinarians, humans and dogs have different bacteria in their mouths and not all of the bacteria are capable of causing disease in the other species. And, some vets believe the endorphins released in the human brain from pet contact can actually help boost the human immune system.
Technically you can- however, it is highly unlikely. According to veterinarians, humans and dogs have different bacteria in their mouths and not all of the bacteria are capable of causing disease in the other species. And, some vets believe the endorphins released in the human brain from pet contact can actually help boost the human immune system.
Whether you choose to kiss or not kiss, good hygiene is vital to the health of your dog. Remember to brush your dog's teeth regularly and invest in some dental chew toys for in between brushing. The Dental Kong with Rope is highly effective for cleaning and strengthening teeth and gums.
Worms
One of the more worrisome health issues connected to "kissing" your dog is worms. Your dog could be carrying various forms of worms, and many worms are transferable to humans. These worms can cause all kinds of medical problems for both you and your dog.
One of the more worrisome health issues connected to "kissing" your dog is worms. Your dog could be carrying various forms of worms, and many worms are transferable to humans. These worms can cause all kinds of medical problems for both you and your dog.
Worms are typically dispelled through defecation and since some dogs are known to eat fecal matter, the worm "issue" is more troublesome than catching an illness. If you've had your dogs checked for worms and you have been diligent with worm maintenance, then you are probably fine kissing your pooch. If not, it might be time to have a conversation with your veterinarian about worms.
All in all, I think the battle between kissing and not kissing, depends entirely on the person choosing "to kiss or not to kiss". And no matter which side of the debate you're on, what we can all agree on is the unconditional love that we share with our pets.
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