Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
08:59
The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs
Published on: October 13, 2017
[Is being licked by dogs not dirty?].
Paul Overgaauw1, Frans van Knapen
1Afdeling Veterinaire Volksgezondheid IRAS, faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Yalelaan 2, 3581 CM Utrecht. p.a.m.overgaauw@uu.nl
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde
|October 3, 2012
Summary
Dog saliva has antibacterial and wound healing properties, but letting dogs lick wounds or faces is not advised. Canine mouths harbor different bacteria, including zoonotic pathogens, posing health risks.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Comparative Medicine
- Wound Healing Research
Context:
- Pet owner advice often suggests allowing dogs to lick wounds.
- Human saliva possesses unique antibacterial and wound healing properties.
- Canine saliva also exhibits therapeutic potential, though less studied in this context.
Purpose:
- To review the antibacterial and wound healing properties of human and canine saliva.
- To evaluate the safety of allowing dogs to lick human wounds or faces.
- To highlight potential risks associated with cross-species saliva contact.
Summary:
- Both human and canine saliva contain compounds with antibacterial and wound healing capabilities.
- However, canine oral microbiota differs significantly from human oral microbiota.
- This includes the presence of various zoonotic pathogens that can be transmitted to humans.
Impact:
- Discourages the practice of letting dogs lick human wounds or faces due to infection risk.
- Emphasizes the importance of understanding oral microbiota differences between species.
- Informs public health recommendations regarding pet-human interactions and wound care.
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