Dogs are considered to be man’s (and woman’s) best friends. Anyone who adores their dogs, I believe, would welcome the opportunity to show affection to their pet.
In the vast majority of cases, kissing your dog on the head is perfectly safe. There are, however, a few things to keep an eye out for.
There are also instances in which kissing your dog on the head is not recommended. Dogs are incredibly affectionate and enjoy being lavished with affection.
Many people believe that kissing their dog is necessary because it demonstrates your affection for them.
Let’s take a peek at what you must be on the lookout for when you want to kiss your dog on the head.
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Is it Okay To Kiss My Dog on His Head?
What has your dog been doing?
Make sure your dog is clean before kissing him. It is possible for some outside dogs to make a mess in the dirt or get into things that are not exactly clean.
It’s plausible that he’ll bring harmful germs into your mouth if this is the case. This is extremely unlikely to happen to those of you who have dogs inside your home.
Fortunately, the majority of dogs are extremely clean, so there should be no concerns about becoming ill or anything of the like.
Nonetheless, it is not something I would recommend doing regularly. Sure, it may be fine if your dog is excited, just make sure it’s clean.
Certain affectionate displays are pleasant, but they are not required as part of one’s daily routine.
As an alternative, try to demonstrate your affection in other ways, such as throwing a ball, petting, or rubbing the animal’s belly.
Can it Make You Sick?
Even though they are incredibly adorable, dogs can carry a variety of bacteria that are not common in human bodies.
This means that kissing your dog may result in some of the bacteria being transferred to you.
This has the potential to cause a variety of illnesses, including intestinal infections, throat infections, and, in some cases, viral infections. Consider the example of a dog bite.
When a dog bites a human, there is a good chance that the person will become infected. This is because the dog’s mouth is brimming with bacteria.
This same bacteria can remain on our skin for long periods of time before making their way into our mouths, eyes, or nose and causing illness.
Don’t Kiss a Dog if You’re Compromised
Adult humans in good health have a fairly good ability to fight off the bacteria that dogs carry. Those with a compromised immune system, on the other hand, should reconsider.
When our immune system is compromised, it suffers a significant reduction in effectiveness.
As a result, when the minor bacteria come into contact with our skin, our bodies cannot fight them off. It is essential not to allow your pup to lick your face or body.
By not having a strong immune system, you put yourself at serious risk of contracting an illness from bacteria found on a dog’s head.
Some dogs lick the bottoms of their feet to keep them clean. Then they clean or scratch themselves by wiping their paw over their heads.
This can cause the bacteria to lay on your head, causing you to become ill as a result.
Risk of Kissing Dogs
Bacteria is one of the most pressing threats. However, it is, without a doubt, not the only potential danger.
Dogs are wonderful creatures, and they, like humans, can experience anxiety from time to time.
It is possible that kissing a dog will make it feel anxious because kissing isn’t exactly in their vocabulary (at least not in the same way as humans).
Humans have kissed their dogs in the past, resulting in a snap or minor bite in some cases.
It’s theorized that this will occur because we are invading its personal space. Especially if you have only recently adopted the dog, this is more likely to occur.
Who Should Not Kiss Dogs
There are a few people who should never kiss their dog, including children, the elderly, the immune-compromised, those who have HIV or diabetes, and cancer patients.
If you’re unwell with a virus, you should avoid kissing a dog as well.
Even though the dog cannot catch or transmit the flu from a human, it can still act as a carrier in some cases, passing the virus on to another individual.
Those suffering from anemia or other blood-related issues should refrain from kissing a dog, and those suffering from heart disease should refrain from kissing a dog.
In large part, this is due to the possibility of infection.
Other Ways To Show Affection
Regular Walks
Dogs, like wolves, are born with the understanding that when you’re in a pack, you’re part of the family.
Walking your dog is a pleasant way to exhibit affection and love for him. Every day, take your dog for a short walk around the block or two.
This will demonstrate to your dog that you care about them.
Alternatively, you could play with him in your backyard. This is a wonderful way to express affection as well.
You can even throw toys across the yard if you want. What’s more, it is an excellent method of keeping your dog happy and healthy.
Pet Your Dog
Dogs highly value affection, and one of the most effective ways to express your affection is to simply pet your pet dog. Petting your dog demonstrates your affection for them.
You might even discover a spot on your dog where he enjoys having your pet around.
This could include anything from belly rubs to back-scratching and beyond.
Even back scratchers and gloves are available for purchase from some companies to make this process easier and less messy if your dog sheds excessively.
Play With Toys
Toys are one of the most effective ways to demonstrate your affection for your dog. It’s also a fantastic way to keep both you and your dog in good shape and feel good about yourself.
When dogs play tug of war, they are delighted when they win, and they are delighted when they lose. Due to their attraction to sound, squeaky toys are some of the best toys to give to dogs.
Better yet, purchase some balls that have openings that allow you to insert treats inside of them.
As a result, when the dog successfully catches the ball, he must work his way into the ball to obtain the treat.
Takeaway
Kissing your dog on the head is unlikely to cause any ill effects, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of doing so.
Dogs can carry bacteria on their heads, no matter how much we would like to believe otherwise. Even so, it is unlikely that you will become ill as a result of it.
After all is said and done, it is always better to be safe than sorry. There are plenty of ways to express your affection for your canine companion.
To begin with, simple activities such as playing with toys, walking, and petting are recommended.
