In most cases, we say it’s better not to kiss your dog. However, recent research suggests that dog saliva could aid wound healing. Yes, your dog has bacteria in their mouth. Pastuerella – lives in the mouths of cats and dogs that can cause skin, lymph node and, sometimes, more severe infections.

When you kiss your dog, you may notice signs that indicate they know that the kiss is a gesture of affection. As puppies, this is not something that dogs would recognize, although they would feel you doing it. Of course, dogs don’t know what kisses actually are, but they learn to realize that they are good.

Kissing is one of these signals, so if your dog wants to kiss you, it’s OK. If you initiate it, however, be careful you’re not smothering him too much, which might make him feel nervous and cause him to lash out.

Human and dog mouths have “a large number and a wide variety of bacteria,” Fobian says. Fortunately, most of it doesn’t make us sick, but some can. Parasites like hookworm, roundworm, and giardia can be passed from dog to human through licking. Salmonella, too, can be passed from your dog to you, or vice versa.

Experts in dog behavior believe that, in general, dogs do not like being embraced. However, every dog has a unique personality. Some may dislike hugs more strongly than others, and some may actually adore them. The closest thing our furry family members do to a hug is something referred to as ‘standing over’.

Dogs generally don’t like to be kissed. But some dogs might have been trained to accept as well as enjoy being kissed. Humans kiss each other to show affection and love. Parents kiss their children, and partners kiss each other as an expression of their love.

You should also know that kissing your dog on his snout or the top of his head is not really safer than you think. For instance, if your dog has an infection in his ear, germs can end up over his body through scratching.

A happy slurp is one of a dog’s only ways to show you their love. But humans have many ways to express affection: hugs, handholding, kisses, saying “I love you,” and more. But hugging and kissing your dog isn’t always appreciated. Some dogs don’t enjoy the affectionate attention.