Are dogs’ mouths really cleaner than human mouths?

Statistics reveal that almost all pet owners consider their pets to be part of the family. Given these realities, it’s no surprise that kissing animals living under the same roof as their owners is common practice. But is it safe?
We at Bright Side want you to know what hidden dangers could be lurking in giving your four-legged friend a big hug and kiss.

 

 

Are dogs’ mouths really cleaner than human mouths? 

That’s a total myth. Marty Becker, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul of the Dog Owner, dispels this popular prejudice when he says, "All you have to do is look, watch, smell, and you’ll realize that is not true. They raid the garbage can. You know, we give each other a peck on the cheek when we say hello; they give each other a peck on the rear end."

How many bacteria are there in dogs’ saliva?

 

This is what John Oxford, professor of virology and bacteriology at the Queen Mary University in London, says about how many bacteria your dog’s muzzle and mouth can carry: "It is not just what is carried in saliva. Dogs spend half their life with their noses in nasty corners or hovering over dog droppings so their muzzles are full of bacteria, viruses, and germs of all sorts."

What might happen if these bacteria get into the human body? 

These viruses and germs can cause serious health problems in humans. This is what happened to one British woman who contracted an infection from her dog’s saliva. She began to notice that her speech sounded more and more slurred. Blood tests revealed that she had an infection due to capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteria, commonly found in the mouths of dogs and cats. There were also 13 similar incidents across the UK.

 

What other diseases can you catch from your pets?

 

Ringworm infection is one of the most common diseases that you can get from kissing your dog. If your pet is infected with ringworm and you kiss them, then you’ll catch this disease too.
MRSA infection usually affects the skin, and it can be caused by just one lick from your dog.
Capnocytophaga сanimorsus is a bacterium that can cause serious health problems if it enters your body through an open wound.

How to prevent health risks associated with owning a pet

 

Always follow these rules:

• Don’t kiss your animals, don’t let them lick your face, don’t ever feed your pets at the table, and never share your dishes with them.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after having any contact with animals.
• Vaccinate your pet against common diseases promptly.
• Use special antibacterial and antifungal shampoos when you wash your furry friends.
• Make sure your dog or cat has no contact with wild or stray animals of any kind. When walking your dog, watch that they do not eat anything off the street.
• Don’t feed your four-legged friends raw eggs, meat, or fish.
• Regularly clean and disinfect your pet’s feeding bowl, and do general cleaning in the house using disinfecting solutions.
• See your vet immediately if your pet is not feeling well, if he or she refuses to eat, or suffers from digestive disorders.

Shelter clears all animals available for adoption

Last dog sweet send-off

Animal shelter clears all animals available for adoption, giving last dog sweet send-off. (WPVI)

HONOLULU -- There were cheers at the Hawaiian Humane Society's animal shelter in Honolulu recently as they cleared out all their animals available for adoption for the first time in its 130-year history.To mark the occasion Thursday, staff and volunteers formed a human tunnel and applauded and cheered as the last animal adopted that day, Beauty the dog, walked triumphantly out with her new family.

"We just really wanted to celebrate Beauty's adoption and the fact that we were able to clear the shelter for the first time ever," Hawaiian Humane Society spokeswoman Suzy Tam said.

Video of the warm farewell has received more than 52,000 "likes" on the Hawaiian Humane Society's Facebook page.

Beauty, who is estimated to be about 5 years old, was surrendered to the shelter on the day after Christmas, Tam told ABC News.

Beauty the dog was the last animal adopted during the Hawaiian Humane Society's first ever shelter clear-out on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016.
"But the timing just kind of worked out incredibly," Tam said, noting how Beauty had a forever home just in time for New Year's.

"A woman named Jan found her photo on the website, fell in love and came to see her on Thursday [Dec. 29]," Tam said. "Beauty happened to have just been cleared for adoption that same day, and she also happened to be the last dog available for adoption that day, too."

Be Aware Pet Food

Be Aware what you feed your pets

Grains can be a long-term source of energy and energy storage for dogs, but they can also be used as a cheap filler in order to boost the food's protein percentage. Watch out! Any grain you feed your dog should be used in whole form so that it supplies more fiber, vitamins and minerals. The best grains for dogs (when used in the proper percentages) are rolled oats, barley, quinoa, millet, and brown rice.Often, low quality dog foods will list a meat ingredient first, which will be followed by several by-products and fillers. In this case, although meat is listed first, there are actually MORE fillers, which changes the ratio noted above.

A well-planned vegetarian diet can work for dogs, although dogs are carnivores by nature. Dogs need animal protein. Would a dog naturally be vegetarian? No. Most veterinarians and holistic practitioners agree that although a dog can survive on a vegetarian diet, they may not thrive on it.

Be aware that while preservatives may be necessary to keep the food edible, preservatives do not have to be artificial chemicals that might be cancer-causing agents. Avoid pet foods that use chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. Vitamin E & vitamin C are great preservatives that are much better for your dog.
Choose Premium Brand dog foods instead of Economy Brand dog foods. The cheapest ingredients are rarely the healthiest ones.

Go holistic. Holistic foods are 100% natural and 100% nutritious. They contain human-grade ingredients. One holistic pet food manufacturer provides anFREE online video "The Truth About Pet Food" you can watch here. (Actually, the term "human-grade" is a marketing technique. As is "holistic". To be able to MARKET a food as "human-grade" the food has to be run through a series of trials and tests that AAFCO officiates. If the food does not pass ALL of these tests and trials it is actually illegal to put the term "human-grade" on the bag.)
Some may consider this rule of thumb: If you wouldn't eat it, your dog probably shouldn't eat it either. (Think animal fat and added salt or sugar.) But there are some things you would eat (such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, white flour and onions) that are NOT good for your dog. Don't make the mistake of thinking all human food is appropriate for your canine. Canine and human nutritional needs and likes differ, such that what is appropriate and appealing for your dog may not be something you care to eat. In addition, some ingredients considered undesirable by US consumers (eg, bi-products) are enjoyed by humans in other cultures.

How to Choose a Vet for Your Pet

 

As soon as you get a pet, you need to make sure you have a good vet. Start looking for a veterinarian once you know you are getting a pet and long before you actually need one for an emergency situation. It is a good idea to know where to take your animal if you have any kind of problem, instead of searching for someone suitable in an emergency. Choosing a vet can be a big decision. Don’t just go with the first person listed in the phone book. Instead, take the time to find the one who works well with your pet and is trustworthy. Here are a few tips on finding the perfect doctor for your pet.

Find a vet that is experienced with your pet’s species

If you have a dog or a cat, nearly any vet can handle them. However, if your pet is a little more exotic, such as a snake, ferret or parrot, it may be more difficult to find someone who has experience with this type of animal. You don’t want a doctor who will be guessing at treatments, so look for someone who has plenty of experience treating your pet’s species.

Take your pet for a checkup

One of the best ways to see how well a veterinarian interacts with your pet is to go in for a checkup. You will get a much better feel for the doctor this way and you can also see how your pet reacts. If you’re not pleased, you can look for someone else before there is an emergency situation.

Find out if there are multiple vets working at the clinic or hospital

It can be very useful to see a vet in a clinic where there are multiple pet doctors. If one is out sick or on vacation, you won’t need to seek out someone new. It’s a good idea to try and meet everyone who works in the clinic so you’ll know who the backup is for your regular vet.

Ask for recommendations

Have friends with the same kind of pet? They should be able to recommend a vet to you. Recommendations usually work out better than a simple ad in the newspaper or a listing in the Yellow Pages. Your friend can let you know what they like about their veterinarian and give you tips for meeting them.

Look for reasonable rates

Even if you have an exotic pet, you don’t want to pay extreme rates. Check out prices early on in your search and eliminate vets who don’t offer reasonable pricing. You can often find out what a vet charges with a simple phone call. Ask about pet visits and overnight stays to get a better picture of the pricing models.

Avoid unprofessional clinics

Everything about the vet’s office should be neat and clean, including the vet. If the staff seems disorganized or messy, you probably don’t want your pet being cared for at the clinic. The waiting room and exam rooms should all be spotless and without unpleasant odors. Ask for a tour of the space so you can check out the animal holding areas and procedure rooms as well.

Stick with a vet who can take on emergencies

Not all vets handle emergencies, so look for one who does. This will eliminate many of the stress factors when a pet is sick or injured, as you will know exactly who to call and where to go. This is something you should ask in the first phone call to determine whether or not it is worth seeing the pet doctor.

Shop around

There is no reason to stick with the first vet you see. Instead, take the time to meet several veterinarians and check out multiple clinics in the area. Small towns may not have many options, but if you can meet more than one vet, you will be in a better position to choose the right one.

Location matters

A convenient location is another factor in choosing a clinic to use. Keep in mind that if your pet is very ill or badly injured, you are not going to want a long drive ahead of you. It’s a good idea to find a vet within 30 minutes of your home, if possible. The clinic should also be easy to find, with parking close by so you can get an injured animal inside as quickly as possible.

Keep your animals happy and healthy when the temperature drops

Winter pet safety tips:

Winter can be a dangerous season for pets – freezing temperatures, ice-melting chemicals and indoor drafts are potentially hazardous to an animal’s health. Looking for ways to keep your pet healthy and happy during the coldest months of the year?

Here are some tips.

"The most dangerous parts of winter are being outside too long on extra cold days and walking through excessive salt on the ground,” Krysty Vallejos, founder of NYC-based pet care services company Urban Pawz told us on Friday. “On extra cold days, the best thing to do is pay attention to your pet to ensure she isn't showing signs of discomfort, like shivering, lethargy, or pulling to go back home.”
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also advises against shaving your cats or dogs during the winter. However, long-haired animals should be trimmed to minimize clinging ice balls and salt crystals. Consider covering short-haired pets in thick sweaters or turtlenecks with high collars. Despite their fur coats, animals are still vulnerable to the dangers of below-freezing temperatures.

Sidewalks or streets can also become hazardous to pets' health during the winter.

“Be mindful of the salted sidewalks on extra icy days, as they can cause wounds on your pup's pads and can even make your pup sick,” Vallejos explained. “You can avoid this by applying Mushers Secret on their paws before stepping outside and/or wiping down their paws once inside so they do not lick off the salt. "Pet owners should also keep their homes properly humidified to keep pets' skin healthy. Additionally, hot bathwater can remove the essential oils from an animal's skin, increasing the chance of dry, itchy patches. Don't bathe dogs or cats too frequently, and use extra-moisturizing shampoos and conditioners every time you clean them.