Dr. Coates is a veterinarian based in the other “Sunshine State” – that's Colorado to the rest of you – where she lives and plays with a varied range of animals. She shares her professional and personal experiences, Monday through Friday, here on petMD's blog, the Fully Vetted. Log in for your daily dose of her insight and wisdom.

 

Is it gross to kiss a pet?

October 30, 2009 / (8) comments


I don’t think so … but then, I happen to be someone who tends to think that kissing 99.99999 percent of the human population would be a disgusting experience. I’d always rather kiss an animal than an unknown human … any animal!

 

But not everyone agrees. 

 

Indeed, most humans on the planet are unlikely to stoop to kissing an animal. But pet owners? Yeah, most of us are a breed apart. We’re happy to kiss our own animals. 

 

Still, that doesn’t mean we're immune to the derision, outright condemnation or blatant disgust. Friendly ribbing, we can handle, but even that can have an undercurrent of disdain.

 

"It’s an animal!" they exclaim. "How can you subject yourself to all those germs?"

 

Meanwhile, you and I both know that while dog and cat mouths may not be as "clean" as many avid pet people would have us believe, their kisses are still far less likely to subject you to something contagious than what that kid at the nearby table in the restaurant is sneezing into the air.

 

So the next time some obnoxious human complains about your repulsive pet smooching behavior, tell them your veterinarian said it was OK … compared to kissing them.

 

 

Dr. Patty Khuly

 

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COMMENTS (8)
1
Yeppers!
by PJBoosinger on 10/30/2009 06:48am

I'm with you all the way, 1000%, on this one! And that sneezing kid has driven me to the drive throughs :)

2
by Stephanie on 10/30/2009 08:43am

I'd much rather smooch my critters than most humans I know, that's for darn sure! LOL!

3
Is it Gross to Kiss a Pet
by KC on 10/30/2009 10:54am

Couldn't agree more! I kiss all of my furry children and they haven't made me sick yet - I can't say the same for the humans I've kissed....... :)

4
Would I kiss my pet?
by Storm Dogs on 10/30/2009 12:00pm

I think the same thing! I'd much rather kiss my dog instead of some random Human. :D

5
Kissing our pets-YES!
by Susan James on 10/30/2009 12:15pm

We let them kiss us and visa versa. Some think that's "gross" but we know better...haha. I agree, safer than unknown humans!

6
kissing all my animals
by Mike Sodos on 10/30/2009 05:53pm

I live with2 dogs, 5 cats and 2 ferrets, and they all get logs of kisses from me.
The dogs and 3 of the cats smootch back. One of the cats appears to actually 'kiss' back. How could I not?

7
Kissing The Bubbas
by Bishkismom on 10/31/2009 07:02am

Of course I kiss my furkids! There is nothing wrong with showing affection to your pets. They give you unconditional love and since their verbal skills are limited, responding with actions is purrfectly acceptable.... to them and us.

8
Would I kiss my pet?
by mammasboy on 11/02/2009 02:26pm

I can not imagine my Lanny not giving me my morning wake-up kisses, or any time kisses to just to tell me he loves me. There is nothing wrong with kissing your pet! Nothing at all!!

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About fully vetted

Jennifer Coates, DVM

Photo of Dr Coates

Image credit: Jim Piraino

...graduated with honors from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. In the years since, she has practiced veterinary medicine in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. She is the author of several books about veterinary medicine and animal care, including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian. Dr. Coates also writes short stories that focus on the strength and importance of the human-animal bond, and freelance articles relating to a variety of animal care and veterinary topics. Dr. Coates lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, daughter, and various species of pets.

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