“When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially in a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be very little absorption through the skin,” says Sonia Batra, MD, dermatologist and co-host on the show The Doctors. “However, a dog’s saliva and whatever might be in it can be absorbed more easily through the mucous membranes of a person’s nose, mouth, and eyes, as well as any cuts or wounds,” she explains.
“Dogs spend their days with their noses in places they shouldn’t be, such as animal waste or contaminated water, and pick up all kinds of bacteria,” says Batra. “Some of the bacteria is zoonotic, meaning the animals can pass them to humans and cause disease.” (Heres what your dogs health says about you.)
Still, after being licked by a dog, it is important to always wash your hands and any licked areas with soap and water, Batra says, just to keep yourself safe. Here’s what can happen—worst-case scenario—if you let your best bud slobber over you:
While we all love a good smooch from our pups, there are lots of germs and bacteria in dog saliva that can make us sick. So while that kiss might be funny in the moment, you could regret it afterward.
“Hookworm and roundworm is transmitted from dog to dog when they ingest one another’s stool or lick each other’s anuses,” says Batra—and let’s be honest, we’ve totally seen that happen.
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