Should I let a dog lick me

Should You Let Your Dog Lick Your Face?

It seems harmless enough. You get nose to nose with your dog and talk to it as it laps at your mouth and cheeks with its tongue, or you come home from work and bring your lips to your dogs in a greeting to say hello.

It may feel like the ultimate display of affection, but when it comes to such kisses, experts caution: Beware of dogs.

Whats the harm?

Dr. Neilanjan Nandi, an assistant professor of medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, said in an email that most animals mouths are host to an enormous oral microbiome of bacteria, viruses and yeast.

Dr. Nandi says a dogs saliva has proteins that may help cleanse or heal its own wounds, but in a paragraph titled Why Not to Make Out With Your Pet, he noted, There are some organisms unique to dogs that we were simply not meant to tolerate or combat.

Some bacteria in dogs mouths are zoonotic, meaning the animals can pass them to humans and cause disease.

Some common zoonotic bacteria include clostridium, E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter, which can cause severe gastrointestinal disease in humans, said Dr. Leni K. Kaplan, a lecturer of community practice service at Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine.

So I shouldnt let my dog lick me at all?

Not entirely.

When dog saliva touches intact human skin, especially in a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be very little absorption through the skin, Dr. Kaplan wrote in an email.

However, a dogs saliva and pathogens can be absorbed more easily through the mucous membranes of a persons nose, mouth and eyes. Though illnesses transmitted this way are rare, Dr. Kaplan said it was best to avoid having your dog lick those parts of your face.

John Oxford, a professor of virology at Queen Mary University of London and an expert in microbiology, said he would never let a dog lick his face, The Hippocratic Post reported.

It is not just what is carried in saliva, he said. 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.

What other illnesses can be transmitted?

Other infections, such as hookworms and roundworms, can be transmitted in a practice called coprophagia, in which animals ingest one anothers stool or by licking each others anuses, Dr. Nandi said in an email.

Dr. Joe Kinnarney, the immediate past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said in an interview that one study calculated that a puppy could have as many as 20 million to 30 million roundworm eggs in its intestinal tract in one week. He said a clients child at his practice in Greensboro, N.C., nearly lost an eye from a roundworm infection.

It is conceivable that a dog with fecal material in its mouth could transmit an intestinal parasite to a human through licking, but that is rare, Dr. Sarah Proctor, a clinical assistant professor and the director of the veterinary technology program at the University of New Hampshire, said in an email.

More commonly, a parasite can be contracted by ingesting contaminated soil via a home garden, for example where pets have left their droppings.

President Obama even touched on the subject in an interview with Wired magazine that was published in August:

I still dont let Sunny and Bo lick me, because when I walk them on the side lawn, some of the things I see them picking up and chewing on, I dont want that, man, Mr. Obama said, laughing.

Are there other hazards?

Dr. Proctor says people should be aware that not all dogs want to be hugged or kissed.

Most people do not pick up on a dogs subtle body language that shows fear, stress or aggression, she wrote. Putting your face into a dogs face and kissing it could lead to a bite on the face if you are not careful.

What about, you know, cats?

Cats do not eat feces, and humans are therefore unlikely to become infected by parasites from them, according to the website petMD.

Cats mouths do harbor Pasteurella, which can cause infections of the skin and lymph node, and Bartonella henselae, a bacterium that can cause a severe skin and lymph node infection known as cat scratch fever, the website reported.

Most of those infections come from bites or scratches.

What precautions should I take?

Experts recommend:

Make sure your pet is current on all vaccines.

New pets should undergo deworming.

Keep your pets away from the feces of other animals.

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Heres how to do it right.

Arden Moore, who hosts Oh Behave, a podcast on Pet Life Radio, said in an email that she welcomed the occasional kiss from her five dogs and one cat, and kisses the tops of their heads in return.

Pets, just like people, crave attention and affection, she said. As long as I remain healthy and my pets stay healthy, I will take this risk and accept their kisses.

Why Does My Dog Lick Me?

Whats better than coming home to a kiss from a happy dog? Most dog owners interpret the reason why dogs lick their owners as a sign of affection. But is this really why your dog is licking you? And what can you do if your dogs licking behavior is out of control?

Is Licking a Dogs Way of Kissing?

The jury is out on what a dogs licking actually means. Believe it or not, what people interpret as affection might, in fact, be your dog encouraging you to throw up what you ate for lunch for them.

Researchers of wild canids wolves, coyotes, foxes, and other wild dogs report that puppies lick the face and muzzle of their mother when she returns from a hunt to her den in order to get her to regurgitate for them, notes Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, head of the Horowitz Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, Columbia University.

Similarly, your dog could simply think that you taste nice. Certified applied animal behaviorist Dr. Mary Burch points out that humans have slightly salty skin, especially after sweating during exercise. Therefore, those licks might be more about seeking salt than giving affection. Horowitz adds that if your dog likes to lick your face, it will often happen after youve finished a delicious meal.

But, there is also evidence that licking is sometimes a sign of affection. Horowitz points out that, although it started as a food-seeking behavior, licking has now become a ritualized greeting for many dogs. Some wild species in the dog family will lick pack members just to welcome them home. So, those daily slobbers really might just be a sign that your dog is happy to see you.

Licking can be a sign of affection, explains Burch. It might also give a dog a feeling of security and comfort, just as the dog had when licked by its mother in the litter.

When Does a Dogs Licking Become a Problem?

Most licking is harmless, even welcome as a form of self-expression on the dogs part. Burch notes that theres no need to worry that its a form of domination in fact, its quite the opposite.

One theory is the licking is a sign of submission, she says. The idea is that dogs who are submissive will lick a more dominant member of the pack.

Even so, there are some scenarios when you might want to head off a slobber-fest from your pup. The first relates to human comfort, that is, some people simply dont like being licked by a dog. If you have a friend who dislikes being licked by dogs, its kinder to dog and friend alike to redirect the behavior.

But sometimes licking is a symptom of a more serious problem. If your dog is licking themselves, you, or objects excessively, to the point that it seems like a self-stimulatory behavior, this might be a sign of anxiety, boredom, or pain. Obsessive self-licking can also be a sign of allergies or other health problems.

What Can Dog Owners Do About Problem Licking?

If your dog is self-licking excessively, start by having your veterinarian check them out and address any medical problems or discomfort. Once youve ruled out medical explanations, you can turn to behavioral solutions.

One idea is to redirect your dog, says Burch. When they lick, switch up the activity. A good option is to choose a behavior that is incompatible with licking, such as using an interactive puzzle to get a treat. You can also have the dog engage in other behaviors such as ball play or trick training.

By repeating this redirect, youll gradually reinforce the lesson that you dont want your dog to lick, without ever using negative reinforcement.

Lick mats are specifically designed to tap into a dogs enjoyment of licking in a positive (and non-destructive or irritating) way. Smear some dog-safe peanut butter or plain yogurt on a lick mator even serve your dog their meals on a soothing lick matto help satisfy their urge to lick.

Trick training, in particular, is a good way to turn a repeated undesirable behavior into an opportunity for positive reinforcement. Start by simply having the dog sit, which might stop the licking on its own, then reward the behavior with a treat.

Next, why not harness your dogs affection by teaching them to give you a hug? Or to speak on cue? Other tricks to practice could include sitting up, army crawling, or leg weaving. If you and your dog find you really enjoy trick training, you could even look into AKC Trick Dog trials. If your dogs excessive licking behavior was caused by boredom, getting involved in practicing for Tricks titles will do the, well, trick!

Whether or not you dive into trick training, always make sure that your affectionate, lick-happy dog gets plenty of attention and exercise. Excess energy can lead to over-licking or other, more destructive behaviors.

Need some help training your dog? While you may not be able to attend in-person training classes during COVID-19, we are here to help you virtually through AKC GoodDog! Helpline. This live telephone service connects you with a professional trainer who will offer unlimited, individualized advice on everything from behavioral issues to CGC prep to getting started in dog sports.

Should I Let My Dog Lick Me On the Face?