Let’s face it: It’s pretty hard to resist puppy kisses, even if you know deep down that it’s kind of gross.
Every time I go home to visit my parents, Im greeted by our Labrador mix, Scout, who has to lick my entire face for several minutes before she calms down. As someone who writes a lot about germs, I know that its probably not the best idea, but feeling loved by a dog is the best feeling ever. Seriously, who doesnt love puppy kisses?
And there’s no evidence that swapping spit with your dog will improve your immunity.
Yes, dogs will expose people to new and different types of bacteria, Reynolds says, but there’s no evidence that this builds your immunity to any diseases. “Humans cant even gain immunity from some of the pathogens dogs carry, like the parasites for example, so they can just repeatedly infect you,” she says. Simply put, humans are not meant to tolerate some of the bacteria dogs carry in their saliva. “Its best to avoid them if you can.” You don’t need to stop letting your dog lick you entirely, but you should try to keep your face and any open wounds off-limits.
Is it unhealthy to let a dog lick your face?
The question of whether or not to encourage kisses is an issue that divides many pet parents.
On one hand, dogs’ saliva contains some antibacterial and antimicrobial properties – which explains why they instinctively lick their wounds to promote healing. On the other hand, it would be inaccurate to claim that dogs’ mouths are categorically cleaner than humans.
Dogs’ mouths are home to a microbiome of unique organisms. While these yeasts, viruses, and bacteria are normal for your dog, they are unfamiliar to our human immune systems. There is a possibility that exposure to these novel organisms can make people ill.
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While the man’s best friend are great at cheering their owners up when they’re down, they may be responsible for threatening the life of their keeper.
An expert completely dismissed the myth that a dog’s mouth is much cleaner than a human’s.
Dog expert Marty Becker said: “All you have to do is look, watch, smell and you’ll realise that is not true.
“They raid the garbage can. You know, we give each other a peck on the cheek when we say hello, they give each other a peck on the rear end.”
The friendly animals who love to lick faces can and do carry a long list of bacteria which can severely impact human health.
John Oxford, professor of virology and bacteriology at the Queen Mary University in London, explained how the beautiful creatures get bacteria in the first place.
“Dogs spend half their life with their noses in nasty corners or hovering over dog droppings so their muzzles are full of bacteria, viruses and germs of all sorts.”
It has the power to cause fatal infections including sepsis, which can ultimately lead to organ failure and even death.
Initial symptoms of this infection are similar to those of other illnesses. But carriers will fall ill much more quickly than those with a commonplace equivalent.
According to reports, owners who take their dogs to places where several animals are close together, such as kennels or shelters, make their pets more susceptible to catching the bacteria.
But if a dog is carrying the infection it will be fairly visible as symptoms including dandruff, hair loss and darkened patches will show on a dog’s skin and hair.
Our furry friends can also carry the potentially fatal MRSA disease, but it will not have any effect on them.