Think twice before you kiss your pets the next time

Kissing your dog on the lips may appear to be the most loving gesture imaginable. Dogs are family members, thus it only makes sense to offer them warm kisses with all your heart. But did you realize that your friendly behavior may not be the best idea? Yes, you read that correctly. Kissing your dog on the lips is both unsanitary and dangerous for you. This might be a sign of a variety of disorders that can render you bedridden. Beware! Here are a few reasons why you should never kiss a dog on the lips!

According to a recent poll, 69% of Australian households have at least one pet, placing pet ownership at an all-time high. It is estimated that we spend A$33 billion per year on pet care.

While various studies have proven that keeping a pet has many benefits for our mental and physical health, dogs can also contain infectious illnesses that can be passed to humans on occasion.

According to an article published by The Conversation, not everyone is at danger, but some people, such as those who are pregnant or have impaired immune systems, are more prone to get an infection from animals.

Because dogs like to sniff around and lick objects here and there, their mouths are full of germs. If anything falls on the floor, they will immediately begin licking it. Dogs do not wipe their mouths on their own, nor do their owners constantly trail them with a towel to clean their mouths. Imagining all of the filthy germs within their mouth might make you cringe with disgust.

As a result, it is vital to be aware of the risks and take proper precautions to avoid infection.

Zoonotic diseases are infectious illnesses that pass from animals to humans. According to statistics, more than 70 companion animal ailments can spread to humans.

Infections can be transmitted indirectly, such as through contact with contaminated bedding, dirt, food, or water, or directly from dogs to humans via saliva, bodily fluids, and faeces.

Dogs and cats serve as significant reservoirs for zoonotic illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Kissing a pet might be harmful to your oral health. Bacteria that cause periodontal disease have been found in cats, dogs, and humans. This is also known as gum disease, and it may be quite dangerous to your health. Periodontal disorders are thought to be widespread among pet owners.

It comes as no surprise that dogs carry a lot of pathogens. However, their body secretions can induce zoonotic infections in humans. Zoonotic illnesses, such as bird flu, can be transferred from dogs to people via viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. “If your mouth, nose, and eyes come into contact with germs transmitted from your dog, you will be more vulnerable to absorbing germs,” said Mia L. Geisinger, D.D.S., associate professor and director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.

If you fall sick too often, then kissing your dog can compromise you and put your immune system at greater risk. Getting bacteria transmitted from your dog can cause flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, etc. So, it is advisable to avoid coming in contact with a dog’s bodily fluid or poop because these are the biggest ways in which one can fall sick.

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