Why do people kiss dogs/cats in the mouth?

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   brittvan22posted 11 years ago

   Why do people kiss dogs/cats in the mouth?
   
   Ok, I watching my little cousin coo and kiss her poodle. I was quite repulsed to say the least. I have heard people say how clean the pet's mouth is, but my stomach turns none the less. Cats and dogs eat just about anything you give them. I am surprised they don't have a dog form of meningitis. How do you justify puckering up for a smooch session with your pup or kitty? Yuke!
   
   

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   Starmom41posted 11 years ago

   oh I agree with you 100%! 
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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Google people kissing their pets and your stomach will turn that was the most presentable picture, thank goodness I'm not the only one!

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      Starmom41posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      sorry, but I'm not gonna Google it right now anyway-  I just ate lunch!!!  lol

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   Josakposted 11 years ago

   Well I don't do it but medically speaking a dogs mouth is much cleaner than yours, their saliva has anti bacterial properties so it's not generally unhealthy unless they just ate.

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      Starmom41posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      and if the cat has just used the litterbox...  bleagh!!!!

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Glad to know you haven't taken that chance as well. Good point, have you ever even as a kid? lol.  Thanks for your input, I'll still pass. @ Starmom LOL!

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   jenb0128posted 11 years ago

   Haha, many dogs don't give you a choice in the matter. I work at an animal shelter, and I've received more than my share of unwanted dog kisses, even though I try hard to avoid them. I think a lot of dog owners just give up and let it happen. As far as cats, I do kiss my cat, but only on the top of his head. I don't kiss him on the mouth... I've seen where he puts that tongue!
   
   (Oh, and for the record, most cats don't eat everything you give them like dogs do. Cats tend to be finicky).

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      HIT AND RUNS, OH NO! TRUE, BUT MY SISTERS CATS WILL LITERALLY EAT ANYTHING (FELLOW KITTENS ARE NOT OFF LIMITS, UNLESS THEY BITE BACK!)  MY SISTER JUST LOVES HER CATS AND KITTENS!

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      Mazzy Boleroposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A friend of mine used to let her dog lap tea out of her own cup and then take a drink herself! I couldn't bear to watch! I loved my dog but I was never tempted to share saliva with him.

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      jenb0128posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Haha, my cat and the cats I work with are finicky. Whenever we have to change brands at the shelter (most of our food is donated), a good portion of the cats will look at it, and then look up as if to say, "what the heck is this?"
      
      About the tea: Ew!

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow Jen, i think cats are more like humans than we think. Maz, didn't think i could faint twice, just did. brings new meaning to sweet tea.

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   I will let my dog lick my face, But not my lips. I mean he's my best friend.

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      LOL. ACCORDING TO ONE HUBBER YOUR FACE WILL BE FILLED WITH ANTIBACTERIAL SALIVIA! NEED TO WASH YOUR HANDS JUST RUB YOUR FACE, LOL. JUST A LIL JOKE.

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      Starmom41posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @Britt-  rofl!!!!

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      LOL@ Britt

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   Faceless39posted 11 years ago

   I don't know, but it's disgusting!  They lick each other's butts.  Come on.

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      lol great point!

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      Mazzy Boleroposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree.  I loved my dog, but considering where he was always sticking his nose, I never felt tempted to kiss him on the lips!

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   Daughter Of Maatposted 11 years ago

   A dog's mouth is much cleaner than your own. I let my dog lick me. I'd much rather my dog lick me than my cat.
   
   I probably shouldn't admit this, but I had a dog who was like my daughter. We were just that close, and we played a game every now and then where I'd try to catch her tongue... yes with my mouth. I got pretty good at it too.
   
   I don't think it's anymore gross than kissing a human. Considering a human's mouth carries much more bacteria, french kissing can be much more deadly. At least a dog can't transmit cytomegalovirus (a herpes virus) to you with its tongue.

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      i think i fainted just now after too. i will revive myself no dogs/cats necessary. lost for words.

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      Alastar Packerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Your right about that Daughter. They generally are cleaner. The human mouth is one of the worst for bacteria etc. Even a snakes mouth area is by some 10s of degrees cleaner.

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      DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I got a kick out of your answer. I don´t kiss my dog but she can lick my face whenever she wants as it makes her feel better, like when I get home and she wants to greet me. I can always wash and the alternative is to deny her that greeting. No way!

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @ mark i suggest a high-five instead, lol. @al, since I despise snakes that sounds even worse, lol. Thanks for your answers though.

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      Daughter Of Maatposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @brittvan22 Sorry! lol I didn't mean to make you faint... well ok maybe
      @Alastar, Thank You!! I'd kiss a snake too, as long as it wasn't poisonous lol
      @DrMark, I wholeheartedly agree! My current pup loves to lick! I think it helps with her anxiety

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   Mazzy Boleroposted 11 years ago

   I tried to find out whether it was in fact true that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's. I know they have bacteriophages in their mouths (bacteria that eat other bacteria) but considering what they put their noses and tongues into, they probably need those.  But do they have fewer bacteria in their mouths than humans?  I found an answer on Snopes. To me the final words of the article were most relevant: "Keep in mind that a dog's tongue is both its wash cloth and its toilet paper."
   
   If you'd like to read the whole article, here's the link
   
   http://www.snopes.com/critters/wild/dogmouth.asp

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      very useful and the last line says it all!

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   advisor4qbposted 11 years ago

   and it's funny when those same  people won't even drink after their spouse!

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      brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      lol good point!

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      Daughter Of Maatposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ya, but my spouse's mouth can carry, all 8 herpes viruses! My dog can't!

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    LikaMarieposted 11 years ago

    EEWWW!  That is so gross.  It repulses me too.

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       brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I'm right there with you, LikaMarie, lol!

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       LikaMarieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Though like you, I would do CPR on my pets, but other than that, no.

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    KDuBarry03posted 11 years ago

    I let my dogs lick my face. I pucker my lips, though, because my Malinois, Missy, will try and french me. I believe it shows great affection from the dogs, and from you

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       brittvan22posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Nothing says loving like a lick. I think a hug will do just fine next time show just the right amount of affection, lol.

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