Category_Dog Knowledge
Lifestyle
Are Dogs' Mouths Clean? The Answer
Are Dogs Mouths Clean? The Short Answer
Let's get straight to the answer. No! Your dog's mouth is not sparkling clean, and it's certainly no fresher than yours. In fact, researchers have discovered that there are hundreds of bacterial species unique to dogs taking up residence in his saliva. Moreover, that same saliva can also be home to various kinds of parasites. Specifically, there are at least 600 different species of bacteria in your pup's mouth. While that number might sound shocking, consider that humans have even more, clocking in at about 615 different species and counting. If some of those germs are accidentally transmitted to you, they can cause a range of medical conditions. To stay on the safe side, it's best to stick to snuggles, not kisses!The Most Prevalent Kinds of Bacteria
It's estimated that only 2% of dog owners brush their pet's teeth on a daily basis, despite veterinarian's recommendations. Failing to perform this simple task can lead to more than just a bad case of halitosis. It can also cause plaque and biofilm to build up on your dog's teeth over time, which can lead to dental disease. If your dog has any form of dental disease (including mild), this can lead to excessive - and harmful - bacteria in his mouth. Other factors that help control the amount and kind of bacteria present include:- His diet
- His genetics
- His oral hygiene
- His environment
- Nasal cavity
- Sinuses
- Eyes
- Joints
- Ears
- Chest cavity
- Brain covering
- Salmonella
- Clostridia
- E. coli
- Campylobacter
That's a cute tongue you got there! Might not be that clean though...
Where Do the Rest of the Germs Come From?
Now we've covered the simple question, "Are dogs mouths cleaner than humans?" Still, if the answer is "no", then where do the rest of those germs come from? After all, your dog isn't exactly foraging in the wild. He's house-trained and lives a plush life, so his mouth shouldn't be that dirty, right? Turns out, it's exposed to more bacteria than you might think. During the course of an average day, your dog's mouth comes into contact with a variety of surfaces and materials, including:- Food
- Toys
- Fur
- Dirt
- Grass
- Feces
- Scratch a stubborn itch
- Fetch a toy
- Remove bugs, debris, or mats from their coat
- Lick a wound
- Bark and express affection
- Clean himself