Will Kissing Your Dog Make You Sick?

Most of us have probably kissed our dogs, either superficially, or with a real wet one, but is that really a good idea? Since it is possible to get deathly ill from kissing your dog, it is probably a good idea to avoid the kissing as much as possible.

Essentially, we all should always wash our hands after handling, feeding and brushing our pets, and in reality, avoid kissing them. If you kiss your dog, there is a possibility that you might exchange plaque from his mouth to yours, which could introduce different bacteria into your mouth that could be harmful.

If you haven't noticed, dogs enjoy licking their rear ends, so if you kiss your dog on the mouth, you would potentially receive some of that bacteria. It doesn't seem to bother the dog, but it probably would bother you. Any kind of faeces from any living thing is not good to be putting in your mouth as e-Coli and other harmful germs could be introduced to you.

For example, a protozoan organism from dogs can cause flu-like symptoms in a disease called toxoplasmosis. It can be especially dangerous if pregnant women get it, as it can cause miscarriage and birth defects.

Dogs commonly get worms, particularly hookworms and roundworms. Dogs constantly have their nose to the ground and are very susceptible to picking these critters up, and if you and your dog are kissing, you can get them too.

Dogs can also pass along salmonella, although it is usually passed by bad meat, dogs can pick it up from reptiles such as turtles, lizards and snakes. It can be present in their feces and the dog can pick it up from that.

It is also a good idea to watch what your dog eats, as in not letting him rummage through the neighbors trash cans. The half eaten hot dog, or the spoiled hamburger he runs across may taste good to him, but the bacteria that is growing like crazy may not faze him, but would give you a good fever if he licks you on the mouth.

In the final analysis, control what your dog eats, and don't kiss him on the mouth. Wash your hands each time you have any contact with him, as dogs are voracious lickers, and any part of him could be carrying bacterial problems for you.

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