Some owners love their dogs so much that they are willing to overlook potential hygiene issues.
Nottingham:
Any dog owner reading this will know the joy of coming home to a warm welcome from their pet—a wildly wagging tail followed by enthusiastic licks on the face. While some owners playfully push their dogs away to stop their dogs from licking their faces, others actively revel in their dogs’ affection and may even pout their lips to receive kisses.
It’s a heartwarming scene. But think about what that canine companion has been licking all day long. Their food and water, their paws, their toys and chews – and maybe their butts and genitals. Don’t those lovely kisses seem a little less appealing now?
Regardless of what their pet has licked, many owners love their dogs so much that they are willing to overlook potential hygiene issues.
Licking is important for dogs. This is an instinctive behavior in dogs.When a dog licks its mouth repeatedly, it may be Subtle signs of stress or fear, especially if the ears are tilted back and the expression is tense. In fact, observing the frequency of lip licking is one way to measure your dog’s welfare. Training Courses when kept in a kennel.
Dogs also lick their lips as a behavioral response to human emotional states.There is evidence that Dogs have empathy. They can use visual and audio cues to recognize emotions in humans and other dogs.Dogs lick their lips more often when looking at something, study shows angry human face.
For dogs, licking their lips is a natural instinct—and this applies to relationships with humans, too. Being licked is a very common occurrence for dog owners, and many dogs will try to lick their humans’ faces and mouths. nearly half of dog owners report that their dog has licked their face.However, given the penchant for many dogs for edible items, owners may find this unappetizing (Quick poop snacks,anyone there? ) Is it hygienic, or even safe, to let your dog lick your face?
what’s hidden inside
Owners usually love their dogs and dog companionship and affection can work wonders for the well-being of the owner Mental Health. But there’s no doubt that for some people, canine saliva can do more harm than good.
as a person Immunocompromised peoplehave open wounds, or dogs that like to supplement their food with a little feces, then it is best to avoid those face licking behaviors.
Can be hidden in a dog’s mouth microbial range The risk to humans is generally low. However, in rare cases, zoonosis (an interspecies infectious disease) can be transmitted from dogs to humans through bites, licks, and scratches.
Most of the time, people exposed to dog saliva do not get sick. In fact, many people manage to live with their pets without experiencing any health problems.
However, in rare cases, people can become seriously ill after being exposed to dog saliva. For example, Capnocytophaga canisa type of bacteria found in the mouth up to three quarters Other healthy dogs and cats that have caused life-threatening sepsis.
Other microorganisms such as Pasteurella multocida Can be transmitted through contact with dog saliva and can lead to serious consequences including meningitis.
People considered to be at high risk zoonotic infection Immune-compromised children, the elderly and pregnant women.
If you fall into one of these groups, it’s in your interest to avoid dog licks. Additional steps should be taken for at-risk dog owners. Keep surfaces clean, minimize contamination from household items, and always practice strict household hygiene, especially after contact with animals.
Antibiotic resistance is considered a major global health challenges.Canine saliva may be a potential Bacterial source Carry antibiotic resistance genes.These bacteria are able to colonize humans Contact with dog saliva.
However, by 2023 german studies A study of 2,800 hospital patients and their companion animals confirmed that “the sharing of multidrug-resistant microorganisms between companion animals and their owners is possible,” but the study found only a handful of cases.So research The conclusion is “Owning a cat or dog is not a significant risk factor for colonization of hospital patients with multidrug-resistant organisms.”
Well, being licked by your dog could lead to the spread of antibiotic resistance—but that’s unlikely.
doctor dog
Despite the potential health risks, is dog licking beneficial?
Records show that in the past, animal saliva Has been used for wound healing, and some dogs are specially trained to lick open wounds. However, there is no research showing that having a wound licked by a fellow animal helps the wound heal. In fact, allowing an animal to lick its wounds may increase the burden on the owner. risk of infection.
The bond between humans and dogs can also bring other potentially healing benefits. animal assisted therapy Helping people with a range of issues such as anxiety, eating disorders and trauma. For example, hugging and petting a dog, can help patients Feel calmer and lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Dog owners often benefit from their pets by increasing their number Physical activity and social connections, as well as companionship and improved mental health. However, licking is not necessary for a close bond between humans and canines.
Within reason, letting your dog lick you is probably safe for most people. With good management, medical care (for you and your dog), and good hygiene, the risk of occasional licking is likely to be minimal. But for everyone’s safety, it’s a good idea to enforce the “unspoken” rules.
(author:Jacqueline BoydSenior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University)
(Disclosure statement:Jacqueline Boyd is affiliated with the Kennel Club of Great Britain by membership and chairs the Events Health and Welfare Group and is a member of the Dog Health Group. Jacqueline is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT #01583) and, in addition to her academic background at Nottingham Trent University, she writes independently, consults and coaches on canine matters.
This article is reproduced from dialogue Licensed under Creative Commons.read Source article.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
