Dog lovers who like to get close to their pooches are exposing themselves more to just doggy breath, it’s emerged.
And if that scene in There’s Something About Mary made your stomach turn, there was good reason for it.
Tests on caring pet owners have revealed high instances of a tooth-rotting bacteria picked up during sloppy exchanges with their beloved barking friends.
Around 70 per cent of dogs suffer from periodontitis, an inflammatory disease of the mouth tissue.
In most cases the germs have no evident health effects on the dog, but can lead to gum disease, painful abscesses, jaw bone decay and, most shockingly, the loss of teeth in humans.
Dental health researchers in Japan found that 16 per cent of the dog owners they examined had contracted the oral microbe.
When questioned, the vast majority of the people tested admitted they love to get up close and personal with their furry friends, giving them an affectionate kiss and getting a few slobbery licks in return.
We all love giving our dogs a hug, but be careful of getting too close…
The study also discovered that many dogs had also been passed mouth bugs by their human owners. With no fewer than ten different types of human oral bacteria showing up in the pets’ mouths, experts warn that even a brief nuzzle could result in transmission.
Dr Paula Maza, of Cornell University in the US, said that the cross-examination of dental bugs depends on the oral hygiene of both the man and dog.
“If owners are brushing ther pet’s teeth, a dog’s mouth can actually be even cleaner than a human mouth,” Dr Maza said.
I think we’ve learnt our lesson… a cuddle and a pat on the head should be enough when it comes to our canine friends…
