Should You Let Your Dog Lick Your Face? 9 Animal Hygiene Questions, Answered

The age-old question of whether it’s acceptable to let dogs lick their owners’ faces has been debated by pet owners and veterinarians for years. Experts have weighed in on the issue, urging caution when it comes to face-to-face interactions with dogs.

According to Dr. Kelley Steury, a veterinarian and clinical associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health, the notion that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than ours is an old wives’ tale. Dogs carry bacteria in their mouths, including Capnocytophaga canimorsus, which can cause serious illness in people.

While most people are not at risk for severe infection from an occasional lick, the trouble starts when saliva gets past the body’s defenses – through a bite or into an open cut, for example. In rare cases, this can lead to sepsis and even be fatal. Those being treated for cancer or taking immune-suppressing drugs are more vulnerable to severe C. canimorsus infection.

Hygiene plays a crucial role in daily life with pets. Experts advise keeping dogs away from mouths and faces but stress that this is not a reason to give up on owning a pet altogether. As Dr. Steury notes, “The fact that dogs… can carry germs is not ‘a reason to not own a dog.’”

Cats are less likely than dogs to spread infections through their licks, but they still pose risks. According to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, bites from cats can be problematic due to their narrow and sharp teeth.

If you’re immunocompromised or don’t have a spleen, it’s essential to take extra precautions around your pet. This includes washing wounds immediately with soap and running water, as well as monitoring for signs of infection such as increasing redness, pus, or fever over the next several days.

Beyond direct contact, there are other risks associated with owning pets that deserve attention. For example, cats can shed Toxoplasma gondii in their feces, which can travel from the litter box to your hands and then to your mouth. It’s essential to practice good hygiene when handling cat waste.

Meat choices also play a role in animal hygiene. Undercooked pork is particularly problematic, as Jill Roberts, a molecular epidemiologist and professor at the University of South Florida College of Public Health, notes. She recommends using a food thermometer to ensure that whole cuts of pork reach 145°F before serving.

Ultimately, whether it’s safe to let your dog lick your face depends on various factors. With some basic precautions and an understanding of the risks involved, we can safely coexist with our furry friends – including those occasional face-licks.