Should You Let Your Dog Lick Your Face? What the Experts Actually Say

Few moments feel quite as wholesome as a dog bounding toward you after a long day and planting a warm, enthusiastic lick across your cheek. It reads as pure affection, and in many ways it is. Experts describe it as fundamentally a social behaviour rooted in a dog’s evolutionary history, essentially a greeting that can be taken as a compliment. In early development, puppies lick their mother’s muzzle to maintain social bonds and stimulate feeding, and as dogs mature, that instinct shifts into broader social communication with the humans who become part of their world.

The behaviour is more layered than it might first appear. Canine cognition experts describe licking as a form of communication, and dogs are highly social and well-attuned to humans, so when a pup interacts with you, it is often with purpose. Studies have shown that when a dog licks, endorphins are released in their brain, which make them feel calm, relaxed and secure. That said, not every lick is a declaration of love. A “lick to dismiss” is a well-known behaviour among canine researchers and trainers that signals a pet is trying to redirect someone or escape unwanted attention, often accompanied by a rigid body and attempts to move away.

The more pressing question for many dog owners, however, is whether allowing this behaviour poses any real health risk. Dogs carry around 600 different types of bacteria species in their mouths, and the old saying that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s simply does not hold up. Dogs’ mouths can harbour a range of microorganisms that are usually low risk for humans, but in rare cases, infectious diseases can be transmitted from dogs to humans by licks and scratches.

One such bacterium, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, found in the mouths of up to three quarters of otherwise healthy dogs and cats, has in rare cases caused life-threatening sepsis. Other microbes such as Pasteurella multocida can potentially result in serious outcomes including meningitis. A board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at Stanford University has noted that if there are any breaks in the skin, such as from rashes, cuts or pimples, a dog’s saliva could potentially cause an infection.

For most healthy adults, the consensus among specialists leans toward reassurance with caveats. One veterinary consultant advises that if you enjoy face licks from your dog, you should go for it, but be aware of certain situations that can make the practice a bit risky, particularly if you are immunocompromised, have a newborn baby, or if your dog has a tendency to eat faeces. A veterinary expert from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine recommends that pet owners avoid letting their dog lick the mouth, nose, and eyes specifically, through which certain pathogens including salmonella and E. coli can be transmitted.

People considered to be at high risk from these kinds of infections include the immunocompromised, very young children, older adults, and pregnant women. For everyone else, the risk of serious illness remains small for healthy adults, though it can be minimised by avoiding direct contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth, and by washing the face and hands afterward.

The question of whether to welcome a dog’s lick ultimately comes down to knowing your own health, knowing your dog’s habits, and reading the cues your animal is giving you. What is your approach when your dog goes in for the kiss?