While it was once believed that dogs' mouths were cleaner than those of humans and that dog saliva had healing properties, this myth has been thoroughly debunked. Considering that dogs are prone to nibbling on poop and licking their own unmentionables, it probably comes as no surprise that in reality, a dog's mouth is a pool of germs. However, while dog saliva can carry such dangerous bacteria as Salmonella and E. coli, these illnesses generally aren't carried in quantities large enough to pose a danger to most humans, and there is very little evidence that doggie kisses are a means of transmission.

Despite the low risk of the average person contracting an illness from dog licking, there are some people for whom the risk is too high to take a chance. Under no circumstances should your dog be allowed to lick anyone who falls into any of these categories:

Babies

Pregnant women

The elderly

Anyone with pimples, open sores, or scratches on their face

Anyone with a compromised immune system

Bottom Line…If you love swapping kisses with your dog, it's probably safe to keep doing so, as long as your immune system is up to par.