Should you kiss your dog?

Should you kiss your dog? We get asked often. Some people love to kiss and some do not. In most cases, we say it’s better not to kiss your dog. However, recent research suggests that dog saliva could aid wound healing. Yes, your dog has bacteria in their mouth. Pastuerella – lives in the mouths of cats and dogs that can cause skin, lymph node and, sometimes, more severe infections. Bartonella henselae can cause a severe skin and lymph node infection called cat-scratch-fever. Salmonella, E. coli, Clostridia and Campylobacter – intestinal bacteria of pets that can cause severe intestinal disease in humans. Most cases of people getting sick from kissing or licking with pets come from oral contact with fecal residue which can be transmitted after pets lick their anus. Facial and lip licking between humans and pets can carry this fecal matter easily. In some cases, a pet can transmit a parasite to a human. Human infection with pet parasites can result in intestinal disease, skin problems, blindness, and brain disorders. Like bacteria, a fecal-to-oral transmission is the most likely path to sickness for humans.