Dog licks are delightful but can also be unhealthy and fatal
Think of it this way... what did your dog lick before licking your face?
Many can confirm without a doubt that one of the best things they enjoy about being a pet parent is the cuddling and the smooches.
But if you are on the fence about receiving excited licks from your pooch, then you will be happy to know that there is some truth behind your resistance.
"While some owners will push their pooches away playfully to discourage face licking, others positively revel in their dog’s affection and may even offer up pursed lips for a canine kiss." (The Conversation)
But the pressing question is, what has your dog been licking the entire day before welcoming you home with a slobbery kiss?
Many dog lovers don't consider this an unclean practice.
"And licking is important for dogs. It’s an instinctive canine behaviour. When dogs repeatedly lick their mouths, it can be a subtle sign of stress or fear, especially when combined with ears back and a tense expression." (The Conversation)
As much as a good dose of canine saliva is warranted now and then, it causes more harm than good for humans.
For instance, pet owners who have low immunity or open wounds could face danger if their dogs lick them on the face. People have gone years without getting ill or facing fatality due to face licks, but there are some rare cases that pose danger to humans.
"Dogs’ mouths can harbour a range of microorganisms that are usually low risk for humans. However, in rare cases, zoonoses (infectious diseases passed on between species) can be transmitted from dogs to humans by bites, licks and scratches." (The Conversation)
Check out more from East Coast Radio
Watch the scenario below where a man was hospitalised because his dog licked an open wound on his body.
Courtesy of YouTube.
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Image Courtesy of iStock/Mykola Sosiukin