Jun 24, 2018

HEALTH | Canine Kisses are a No No!

TIMMI KISSES MY NOSE
We love our canine companions and often treat them like they're our kids. But according to an article by Partha Nandi on McGill Media, you should never let your four-legged friend lick your face.

"You might have heard that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s, but that’s a big myth", Partha reports.

"Most animal’s mouths are loaded with bacteria and viruses, and man’s best friend is no exception. Not surprising when you think about some of their habits. They stick their noses just about anywhere and will eat just about anything … including dog droppings. And if you’ve ever seen dogs greet each other, you know their way of saying hello isn’t as sanitary as a kiss on the cheek. Their muzzles carry all kinds of organisms. Some of which are beneficial to the dog, but simply not tolerated by humans. So while the presence of this bacteria typically doesn’t impact the dog’s health, it does pose a threat to yours."

"A dog’s saliva coming into contact with your skin is not extremely likely to cause any problems as the skin tends to absorb only a small amount. However, saliva...is... more likely to be absorbed through the mucus membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth. This is why a dog licking your face can lead to serious infection."

"...Gum disease and intestinal parasites such as hookworms and roundworms can... be passed from dog to human. These infections can cause symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, fever, skin lesions, fatigue, abdominal pain and shortness of breath, so you’ll want to carefully consider the risk you’re willing to take for those doggy kisses."