Introduction
It’s a common occurrence – you drop some food while preparing a meal, your dog rushes over and gives it a quick lick before you have a chance to pick it up. Or maybe you gave your dog a spoonful of peanut butter and they licked the spoon clean before you could wash it. Should you now throw that food away and sterilize that spoon, or is it still safe for human consumption? Many pet owners have found themselves pondering this question.
On one hand, we share our lives and homes with our furry companions, so sharing food doesn’t seem like a big deal. On the other hand, dogs have bacteria in their mouths that can cause illness in humans. Determining if it’s OK to eat licked food involves weighing associated risks and taking precautions when needed.
Risks of Eating Food Licked by Dogs
Dogs have a diverse community of bacteria and parasites in their mouths that can potentially be transmitted to humans. Some of the more concerning risks include:
Salmonella – One of the most common bacteria found in dogs that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever and cramps in humans. Usually self-limiting in healthy adults but potentially serious in young children.
Campylobacter – Another bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness. Usually causes diarrhea, cramping, nausea and vomiting.
Capnocytophaga – Rare bacteria but can cause severe infections in humans, especially in those with weakened immune systems. Has potential to spread to the bloodstream.
Pasteurella – Common oral bacteria in dogs that can cause wound infections, pneumonia, blood infections and other complications.
Brucella canis – Uncommon bacteria in dogs that can cause prolonged fever, headache, weakness and other flu-like symptoms.
MRSA – Antibiotic resistant staph bacteria that some dogs carry. Can develop into a serious skin or internal infection.
Ringworm – Fungal infection that manifests as ring-shaped rash on the skin.
Hookworms and roundworms – Intestinal parasites that can be passed from dogs to humans, usually through fecal contamination.
In most cases, these diseases require direct contact with the saliva or feces of an infected dog. But eating food fresh after being licked introduces these organisms into the mouth and gastrointestinal tract where they can lead to infection.
Diseases Transmitted by Dogs
Some of the most common diseases that dogs can transmit to humans include:
Salmonella – Dogs can carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and shed it in their feces without showing any signs of illness. Humans can contract salmonellosis through direct or indirect fecal contact. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps (CDC, 2022).
Campylobacter – This bacterial infection causes diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever in humans. Dogs and cats can transmit Campylobacter through fecal matter contamination (CDC, 2022).
Giardia – An intestinal parasite that dogs can carry asymptomatically. It spreads through ingestion of cysts shed in feces. In humans it causes profuse, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and fatigue (CDC, 2022).
Other diseases transmissible from dogs to humans include ringworm, tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, cryptosporidiosis, and leptospirosis (Ghasemzadeh, 2015).
Sources:
– CDC. (2022). Diseases from dogs. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/dogs.html
– Ghasemzadeh, I. (2015). Review of bacterial and viral zoonotic infections transmitted by dogs. Journal of Medicine and Life, 8(4), 1-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/
Factors That Increase Risk
Certain factors can increase the risk of disease transmission from dogs to humans. Two key factors are raw meat diets and the dog’s overall health and hygiene.
Feeding dogs a raw meat diet has been associated with an increased risk of shedding pathogens in the dog’s feces, which can then be transmitted to humans (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/). Raw diets may contain bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that can cause gastrointestinal illness if transmitted to humans.
A dog’s overall health and hygiene can also impact disease risk. Dogs with conditions like diarrhea or worms are more likely to shed pathogens in their feces. Poor hygiene, like inadequate bathing, can also increase shedding of pathogens on the dog’s coat that could be transmitted through contact. Ensuring dogs receive proper veterinary care and maintaining their fur/skin cleanliness helps reduce disease transmission risks (https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/disease-risks-dogs-social-settings).
When It’s OK
In some cases, consuming food licked by your own healthy dog poses little risk. Low-risk foods include hard items your dog cannot bite into, such as fruits with peels and hard candy. Sharing food off your own plate generally carries less risk than unknown food sources, since you know your dog’s health status. If your pet is up-to-date on vaccines, dewormed, and free of signs of illness, the chances of disease transmission are low. However, it’s impossible to completely eliminate risk when eating after a dog.
According to experts, the bacterium present in dog saliva is usually not harmful to the dog themselves or to humans. Despite myths about “clean” dog mouths, dogs do carry bacteria that could potentially cause sickness in humans if ingested (Off the Leash). Overall, the risks depend on the health of your pet as well as your own immune status.
Reducing Contamination Risk
There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of disease transmission when your dog licks food or utensils. First and foremost, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after petting your dog and before eating or preparing food (1). Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. You should also avoid sharing utensils, cups, or plates that your dog has licked. Make sure to wash any items thoroughly with hot soapy water if they do come in contact with your dog’s saliva. It’s also a good idea to keep your dog away from food preparation areas like the kitchen counter and table to further reduce contamination risks (2). Practicing good hygiene and being mindful about contamination can go a long way in reducing disease transmission between pets and humans.
Special Considerations
Certain groups of people may be at higher risk for illness from bacteria or parasites transferred from dogs licking food. These include:
Pregnant women – During pregnancy, women’s immune systems are suppressed to avoid rejecting the fetus, so they are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses like toxoplasmosis and listeriosis. These can lead to birth defects, miscarriage, or stillbirth (CDC).
Young children – Children under 5 years have underdeveloped immune systems and are at higher risk of infection. Parasites like roundworm and giardia can cause more severe symptoms in toddlers (Lenz 2009).
Immunocompromised individuals – People with weakened immune systems due to medical conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment, organ transplants, or immunosuppressant medications are more susceptible to zoonotic diseases from dogs (CDC). Even minor illnesses can become serious in immunocompromised patients.
For these higher risk groups, it’s especially important to avoid eating food contaminated by dogs. The consequences could be much more severe. Their caregivers should also be vigilant about hygiene and pet interaction risks.
What To Do If Exposed
If you believe you may have ingested food contaminated with dog saliva, the first step is to monitor yourself for any concerning symptoms. Some diseases transmitted through dog saliva can take time to incubate, so continue monitoring for at least a few weeks. According to the CDC, symptoms to watch for include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches.
If any suspicious symptoms develop, especially neurological symptoms, contact your doctor right away. Be sure to let them know you may have been exposed to pathogens from dog saliva. Your doctor can run tests and determine if treatment is needed, such as antibiotics for Capnocytophaga or post-exposure rabies vaccines. The earlier treatment is started, the better the outcome.
While the risk is low in most cases, it’s still wise to contact your doctor after ingesting food licked by a dog, particularly if the dog is unknown. Your doctor can advise the best course of action based on your health history and details of the exposure. Don’t hesitate to call if any concerning symptoms arise. According to one source, “Most people who do develop an infection have underlying illnesses, especially immunocompromising conditions, that put them at higher risk of illness.” (https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/dogs.html)
Preventing Transmission from Pets
Pet owners can take several steps to reduce the risk of disease transmission from dogs and other household pets:
- Regular veterinary care – Make sure pets receive routine examinations, vaccinations, parasite control, and prompt medical care when ill. Vaccines help prevent contagious diseases like parvo, distemper, and rabies that can spread between animals and humans.
- Proper hygiene – Wash hands with soap and water after touching pets, cleaning up after them, or handling their food/waste. Avoid kissing pets or sharing food/utensils with them. Disinfect pet feeding areas regularly.
- Training and supervision – Train dogs not to jump up, lick faces, or bite. Closely supervise young children interacting with household pets. Dogs should not be allowed to lick open wounds.
Following basic precautions allows pet owners to fully enjoy their companions while minimizing health risks. Consult a veterinarian for advice on protecting both pets and family members from illness.
Conclusion
In summary, eating food that a dog has licked does carry some risks of disease transmission, especially for young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems. The main diseases to be aware of are campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis, and capnocytophagosis. However, the risk is relatively low for healthy adults if it is an isolated incident.
To reduce contamination risk, thoroughly wash your hands after interacting with pets and supervise young kids around dogs. If food falls on the floor, discard it if you have any doubt. When serving food, make sure dogs are unable to access it. If you believe you have ingested food contaminated with dog saliva, monitor yourself for symptoms of gastrointestinal illness for a few days afterward.
While the risk is not zero, occasional exposure to dog saliva through food is unlikely to cause harm in most cases. Using common sense hygiene can prevent any issues from arising.