Benefits and Dangers of Kissing Pets
I've also kissed pet chickens, iguanas, cockatiels and hamsters.
So, how safe--or unsafe--is kissing a pet? Does kissing a pet benefit the pet or the pet owner?
Natural Gestures
Pets generally kiss humans with a licking motion. The gesture stems back to the pet's birth when its mother licked it clean after delivery and licked its bottom to encourage urination and defecation, according to Dr. Nicholas Dodman at the PetPlace website.
Young pups lick their mother's lips to signal a need for food. All ages of pets lick to groom themselves.
In essence, pets lick to communicate. A quick licking-style kiss may signal a need, desire or simply a hope for recognition.
Pets quickly remember smiles, encouraging words and loving gestures from a human that received a sloppy lick. More licks--or kisses--are sure to follow.
Pet Bites
When the human initiates loving contact, be cautious of the potential for pet bites. A cat or dog may not understand the meaning of a child's loving tail tug or innocent nibble on the ear and retaliate with a nibble of their own.
Babies and young children should never be left alone around pets.
WebVet advises not to get between a pet and its food. After rewarding the pet with a treat for a job well done, don't lean in for a peck on the nose. All physical praise should come before treats.
Socializing Pets
Gale Snoddy, a Borzoi breeder in Ohio says socialization of her dogs begins at birth.
"When the puppy is born, we breeders are rubbing the puppy, checking it over, kissing it on the nose. This is a several times daily routine, usually as important for us as it is the dog," Snoddy commented at the Breeders Round Table on CanisMajor.com.
Intimate forms of socialization teach puppies how to live with humans, other pets and accept close contact during veterinary exams.
Salmonella Infections
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns of kissing pet birds. Although the pet may appear clean, fecal matter on the bird's feathers or beak can transmit Salmonella bacteria to a human's mouth through kissing.
Salmonella infections can take one to three days to become apparent. Common symptoms of the infection include diarrhea, fever and stomach pains, according to the CDC.
Reptiles, dogs, cats and farm animal also have the potential to transmit Salmonella through fecal matter.
Call me ruthless or simply buying my time, but if a pet shows me loving and welcoming signals, I'm going to dish it right back--in the form of kisses, ear rubs and belly scratches.
Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
WebVet: Keep Your New Baby Safe from Dog Bites
http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1333
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Why Parents Should Thinks Twice About Giving Baby Birds for Easter
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/easter_chicks.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Salmonella Infection and Animals
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/salmonellosis.htm
Pet Place: Is Your Dog Licking or Kissing?
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/is-your-dog-licking-or-kissing/page1.aspx
CanisMajor: Breeders Round Table: Puppy Socialization
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/socializ.html
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Published by Angela Tague
Angela Tague has worked in news writing and photography since 1998. After attaining a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Iowa, Tague's journalism career has led to positions at two... View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentI say a kiss should always be returned, regardless of the species!
I used to let my birds eat out of my mouth, and one sneezed in my mouth once! I would let my dog lick my face raw if she wanted- even if it were bad :)
PV love for the great job!!!
My Springer Spaniel is very generous with the kisses, & my Golden rarely gives them, so his are super special..lol!
Great topic and information!
this is a great article...we LOVE our 3 geriatric cats.....they are not big lickers, so that is okay for us....we always say, you can love your pets, just don't LOVE your pets....;)