No, dog spit is not clean. While the common belief that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's is a myth, dog saliva isn't sterile. It contains a variety of bacteria and can transmit illnesses.
What's in Dog Saliva?
Dogs' mouths contain approximately 600 different species of germs, compared to the 615+ varieties found in human mouths. This means that while the difference isn't substantial, a dog's saliva is not inherently cleaner. In fact, dog saliva can carry dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, as well as parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. [Source: Hill's Pet, https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/behavior-appearance/are-dog-kisses-safe]
Risk of Transmission
The chance of germs being transmitted to humans through dog saliva is minimal, but it's not nonexistent. Transmission can occur if saliva enters the nose, mouth, or eyes, or through a bite. [Source: Ferguson Animal Hospital, https://www.fergusonanimalhospital.com/site/blog/2023/04/15/dogs-mouth-cleaner-humans-mouth] Although dogs often lick their wounds, this shouldn't be encouraged as it can introduce bacteria and cause more harm than good. [Source: My Arlington Vet, https://www.myarlingtonvet.com/blog/should-you-allow-your-dog-to-lick-your-wounds/]
Key Takeaways:
- Dog saliva is not sterile and contains various bacteria.
- The risk of illness transmission from dog saliva is low but present.
- Avoid direct contact with dog saliva, especially for vulnerable individuals.
- Maintain good hygiene practices to minimize the risk of infection.
