Our dog is part of your family. You may even feel that Fido is one of the children. Of course, when you bring a baby home, you really want your dog to receive those cute cheeks and fingers like everyone else does. However, kisses, and especially human kisses, are inappropriate, and it may not be safe to let Fido indulge in kissing the child.
Here are seven reasons to consider not letting your dog lick your baby
1. No mouth contact !
While many dogs lick a human's face as a submissive, calm gesture, others do so to elicit a reaction from their humans.
This behavior in looking at me is a sign of dominance in Fido. Touching a human with their mouth is also a control behavior in some dogs.
No animal should be allowed to show signs of dominance in a child, especially an infant.
It is a good idea to train dogs not to have human contact using their mouths. Continuous use of the "don't lick" command in a firm voice will show dogs that licking and other forms of oral communication are not acceptable.
If you are able to stop your dog whenever you see him trying to lick your baby, he can turn away from this behavior very quickly.
Make sure you are not selective in your requests. If you do not allow your dog to lick your child's face, you should not allow him to lick your face or the face of another person, either.
You may feel bad about stopping your dog if you feel that he is just trying to be friendly. But when it comes to your child, you should always err on the side of caution.
2. Mother’s instincts :
People often get the impression that their canine friend is raising a human baby by licking the baby's face.
This mothering behavior can be endearing, but think about what might happen if motherhood were to move forward.
Dogs don't treat puppies the way we humans treat babies.
They carry them by the head or neck, bite them when they misbehave, and do not hesitate to stomp on them, growl at them, or even criticize or stomp on them to make them behave respectfully with the herd.
A dog should never be allowed to treat a human child like a puppy, including licking its face and buttocks, for fear of turning motherhood into dangerous behaviour.
Your dog may have good intentions, but that doesn't matter when it comes to your child's safety. Your dog should not come to see your child as his puppy. You should make it clear that it is your responsibility to take care of and discipline your child, and that it is not your dog's responsibility to do so.
The best way to do this is to stop such maternal behaviors before they have a chance to start. Keep your child out of your dog's face from day one and you shouldn't run into this downside.
3. Dog germs :
Studies refute the myth that dogs' mouths are cleaner than humans' mouths.
Not only are the mouths of animals home to multiple strains of bacteria, dogs are less clean than humans.
They eat garbage and feces, and lick the buttocks and genitals. In addition, they do not brush, floss, rinse or spit religiously as people do.
When your dog licks a child's mouth, nose, or eyes, potentially harmful bacteria enter the child's system. The same thing happens if the dog licks the hands or feet of the child, and then the child sucks it.
Infants and young children have weaker immune systems and lower hygiene than older children and adults, so germs that barely affect healthy adults can be dangerous to children.
Some people may argue that a child's immune system may benefit from early exposure to germs.This is somewhat possible, but exposure to germs in a dog's mouth takes this notion to an unhealthy degree.
You may have never gotten sick from your dog licking your face, but that doesn't mean your child won't. Set aside a day to pay attention to the different things your dog licks, and you'll never want his tongue near your baby again!
4. Bacterial threat :
Dogs and humans carry bacteria that cause gum disease in their mouths.
While some bacteria that grow in the acidic environment of a human's mouth will not survive in a dog's mouth that is more alkaline, the opposite is not entirely true.
Dog bacteria will live in the human mouth.
A 2011 Japanese study found that several periodontal bacteria, which occur rarely in humans but frequently in dogs, were present in humans who had constant close contact with infected animals.
These bacteria can lead to aggressive gum disease which can then lead to heart problems, kidney problems and diabetes.
You don't want your child to be exposed to gum-attacking bacteria even before the first teeth come out. This can lead to complications for their gums, teeth and health for the rest of their lives.
The interesting thing about infants and young children is that they are not born with their own unique set of microbes called the 'microbiome'. Instead, they slowly acquire these microbes around the age of three.
If you leave your dog near your child's face and mouth, a large portion of his microbiome can be made up of bacteria harmful to your dog.
5. Leptospirosis :
Other animals can pass their diseases to your dog without contacting your pet. An example is leptospirosis.
Raccoons and other animals that burrow or urinate in areas your dog frequents may transmit leptospira bacteria to your puppy, causing leptospirosis.
It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to human
When infected, humans and dogs develop kidney failure or kidney failure, possibly meningitis. Children are the most common victims due to their weakened immune systems.
While leptospirosis and some other zoonotic diseases are not usually spread by licking, they do spread, so why take the risk?
There is no such thing as extreme caution. Your dog may be carrying leptospira without showing any symptoms. Don't assume that your dog is healthy just because he may not be visibly sick.
Different bacteria affect different species differently. Individuals of the same species may show different symptoms. One dog can be noticeably sick while the other can carry the same bacteria and be happy as usual.
Leptospirosis is more common in the tropics, but it can occur just about anywhere, so don't think you're stuck if you live in a cold climate.
6. Worms :
Dogs lick their backs and the backs of other dogs, stick their noses to feces and contaminated soil, and eat the droppings of other animals.
This puts them at risk of worm infection. Some worms, such as roundworms, can be transmitted to humans.
It is possible, although rare, for an infected dog to lick its back, contaminated ground or feces and then lick your child, increasing the chances of your child getting worms.
Although worms can be treated, they can sometimes lead to blindness and other problems in children if they are not detected and treated in time. If your child has symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping or even itching in the rectal area, you should take them to the doctor immediately.
Deworming your dog regularly and practicing good hygiene reduces the risk. It is especially important to deworm new puppies, as this eliminates any worms the puppy may have acquired in the womb.
You should also make sure your dog's bottom is always checked when he gets home from a walk or in the yard. Don't let it enter the house and you risk contaminating surfaces your child might touch.
7. Fleas and ticks :
Dogs sometimes carry fleas or ticks without their owners knowing.
Animals respond to flea annoyance by licking or biting their skin.
They may then have remnants of fleas or ticks on their tongue which they pass on to children by licking them.
If the fleas or ticks are carriers of the disease, called the carrier, the dog has just increased the chances of the child getting the disease.
At the very least, the child swallows insect particles. Treating your dog for fleas and ticks regularly can reduce the risk, as can training your dog not to lick people, especially a child.
Be on the lookout if your dog is scratching or biting more than usual, this could be a great clue that he has something. Getting rid of fleas or ticks is more difficult than simply bathing your dog, but it can be done.
Fleas and ticks will drown in the water, but not their eggs, and they will hatch when the dog is dry again. To get rid of it permanently, you have to buy a shampoo against fleas and ticks.
You should also consider using shampoo year-round to prevent further infection.
If you finished reading the article, share it with your family and friends to benefit !!
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