22
Jun
Why Dogs Shouldnt Lick Wounds. Dogs cats rodents and primates all lick wounds. Dogs cats small rodents horses and primates all lick wounds. While it is true that saliva can promote wound healing the bacteria that it contains can also cause serious wound infections which in rare cases could even result in death. There is a common folk belief that animal saliva especially that of Dogs has healing properties for human wounds.
Part of this is down to affection and their presumed duty of care towards you. Putting an injury in the mouth seems intinctual. For dogs licking wounds is like you rubbing your head if you hit it. While it is true that saliva can promote wound healing the bacteria that it contains can also cause serious wound infections which in rare cases could even result in death. Is it a good idea to lick your wounds. The study mentioned above has a big flaw though.
A more recent study warns that because of the difference in bacterial flora naturally occurring bacteria in a dogs mouth in comparison to human skin it is not a good idea to allow dogs to lick human wounds for fear of a zoonotic disease resulting.
There is a common folk belief that animal saliva especially that of Dogs has healing properties for human wounds. Evidence Against the Health Claim Despite the antibacterial agents found in saliva many scientists caution against wound licking arguing that such practice is neither safe nor health-promoting. And canine saliva does have some mild antibacterial effect. If its dangerous to allow a dog to lick an adults face imagine the risk involved when a babys face is covered in dog licks. When dogs lick their own wounds sometimes it can be because they want to tear open their stitches or the wound is bothering them. Why Do Dogs Lick Human Wounds.