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Scientists have hit us on the head over and over again about how our dogs can give us germs that cause us to fall violently ill, and pet owners' personal stories have only helped reinforce this fear.
Not only do dogs come in contact with raw foods and meats that put them at risk for developing salmonella – a risk that gets transferred to humans when they kiss us – but they also lick their behinds to clean themselves. Those bacteria can also get transferred to us through doggy smooches.
One doctor, Marc I. Leavey, M.D., even advises us to wash our hands after getting licked by a dog, before doing anything else. Some of the pathological microbes dogs can transfer to people are resistant to antibiotic treatment and can cause severe infections. It's simply better to not take this risk.
Researchers and veterinarians are now, however, urging pet owners and new parents to keep their dogs away from their children for a new set of reasons.
While we might perceive sweet doggy kisses as a sign of affection, they can also be "a sign of dominance... Touching a human with their mouths is also a controlling behavior in some dogs."
Pediatrician Dr. Ashanti W. Woods, M.D. warns pet owners from allowing their dogs to feel "on equal status with...children." Allowing dogs to feel like they have this authority in the family "pack," may cause them to react or behave in ways that ultimately endangers the people in the home.
"The pet may become protective over the owners and attempt to defend them by attacking the child for yelling or merely playing with his parents," Dr. Woods explains.
Both children and dogs are prone to unpredictable behavior, so it's best to keep the two separate and clearly define the boundary lines among them, to ensure the children's safety.
