3 Gross Things That Can Happen If You Let Your Dog Lick Your Face

While we all love a good smooch from our pups, there are lots of germs and bacteria in dog saliva that can make us sick. So, while that kiss might be funny in the moment, you could regret it afterward.

When dog saliva touches human skin, especially in a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely to cause any problems, as there will be very little absorbed by skin, but it can be absorbed more easily through the mucous membranes, nose, mouth, and eyes, as well as any cuts or wounds.

The good news is, it’s not super common for that wet doggy kiss to cause health problems. “It is rare to get sick this way, but it does happen,". This is more likely in people whose immune systems are suppressed.

Still, after being licked by a dog, it is important to always wash your hands and any licked areas with soap and water.

Here’s what can happen if you let your best bud slobber over you:

1.  You could get a parasite:

      Hookworm and roundworm is transmitted from dog to dog when they

      ingest one another’s stool or lick each other’s anuses.

      Dogs can transmit these parasites to you when they lick you. Again, it’s

      rare, but it can happen! If you have either of these parasites, you might  

      notice skin rashes and itchiness, weight loss or decrease in appetite,

      wheezing and coughing, stomach pain and diarrhea, fatigue, and

      maybe even fever.

2.  You could get an upset stomach:

      Dogs spend their days with their noses in places they shouldn’t be,   

      such as animal waste or contaminated water, and pick up all kinds of

      bacteria. Some of the bacteria is zoonotic, meaning the animals can  

      pass them to humans and cause disease.

      Some common bacteria transmitted by dogs can lead to stomach  

      upset, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. These types of bacterial

      infections include Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Clostridium, E. coli,

      Salmonella, Pasteurella, Leptospira, and Campylobacter. A smooch

      from your pup isn’t worth the sickness.

3.  You could get a rash:

      Dogs can also pass on ringworm, a fungal infection which creates a

      rash on the skin. Here’s how to know you might have an infection: “If a

      dog licks your face and the skin there becomes red and inflamed within

      minutes, that's a good indication that you have an allergy. Dog saliva  

      contains glycoprotein, a substance that triggers the body's defense

      mechanism in some people. It’s present in higher quantities in dander,

      but it is still present in saliva.

      You can treat your infection with antifungal creams and ointments, as  

      well as oral medications, but it's easier to think twice before letting your

      dog lick your face in the first place.