If you think kissing your dog is a great way to make them feel loved, you might want to consider the negative consequences of this action to your health. Medical professionals and virologists believe doing this can make you exposed to nasty bacteria living in their mouths that lead to potentially deadly infections.
Dogs carry E. coli, salmonella and campolybacter, bacteria which can cause diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting and gastroenteritis. They are also capable of transmitting Toxocariasis, a parasite that may lead to blindness as it causes cysts to develop in the brain and in the eyes.
Professor John Oxford of Queen Mary, University of London said: “It is not just what is carried in saliva. Dogs spend half of their life with their noses in nasty corners or hovering over dog droppings so their muzzles are full of bacteria, viruses and germs of all sorts.“
Dogs were also found capable of passing skin fungal infections such as ringworm to children and adults. This infection is transmitted via skin contact. Viruses can also be caught from our four-legged furry friends through saliva or fecal contact.
In addition, experts also revealed that some dogs find getting kissed stressful rather than loving.
Dog groomer Sue Carrington told THE DAILYMMAIL UK: ‘If a dog is struggling or turning its head away, it probably doesn’t want to kiss you. Stroke it or pat it instead.”
What are the health benefits of owning a dog?
Several studies have shown that living with a dog can keep you healthy. In fact, anecdotal and scientific evidence have proven that dog owners are actually healthier than the average person.
Here are some ways your four-legged furry friends provide a variety of health benefits, according to Live Science.
- Dogs can sniff out skin, lung, bladder, breast, ovarian and colon cancer growths.
- Dog owners are more likely to engage in mild to moderate physical activity.
- They can detect if owner has low blood sugar level.
- Dogs can reduce your risk of eczema.
- Pooches are believed to be perceptive enough of warning their owners of oncoming seizure attacks.
- Our four-legged furry friends can help you rehabilitate from illness.