Ick! Don't let pet dog lick infant's face

Dear Uncle Matty: If a dog goes outside to take care of his business, then comes back in and licks the faces of the parents of a new baby, does that bring health problems into play when the parents then love and kiss the baby? -- M.M., Melbourne, Fla.

Dear M.M.: If you have seen any of my PBS shows or videos, you know I love doggy kisses, and I've been affectionately praising pooches for 30-something years. So far, so good -- and healthy.

But doggy kisses seem to be a matter of choice for adults. When it comes to infants, common sense says that a baby's immune system is, shall I say "infantile," and adults should act responsibly. Not only do I not recommend that dogs kiss infants, no dog, even the most lovable family wagger, should be left alone with an infant or small child. It is never really safe.

Now, back to the subject of doggy saliva. The amount of bacteria in a dog's mouth depends on where that mouth has been most recently. Butt of course! Not to mention that an outside excursion could mean Fido's mouth may have been in contact with diseased little critters, alive or otherwise.

And then there is the inside biffy watering hole! If a dog has not been de-wormed, that is also a concern. Every year in North America, a few cases of roundworm are passed from dog to human, as well as very few cases of rabies.

However, according to an article, "Would You Rather Be Bitten By a Dog or By a Human?" in the Indiana University Library, germs (in the mouth) tend to be species-specific, and harmful dog germs are usually harmless to humans, except rabies, a disease that affects dogs and humans in equally damaging ways. The article went on to state that humans are immune to most dog germs.

Dog kisses and dog saliva have sparked a lot of debate through the years, and there are advocates on both sides of the fence. You can expect answers that support doggy licks and those that don't. In 1990, according to the Alaska Science Forum, researchers at the University of California, Davis, discovered that dog saliva killed E. Coli and Streptococcus canis, another harmful bacteria. It was concluded that when mother dogs lick their nipples it helps keep puppies free from disease. Dogs licking their own wounds accomplish the same goal.

What would I do? Before my new baby arrived, I'd have my dog checked for everything from roundworm to diseases of the mouth. I'd want a clean bill of health for my best buddy. I'd prepare my pooch for the baby's arrival, getting him used to the sights, sounds and smells of a baby ahead of time. I would cradle and rock a baby doll dressed in baby clothes, turn on the music boxes and mobiles, use the baby powders and lotions, and anything else I could think of.

I'd make sure my dog was well trained and teach him to stay out of the baby's room. And I would always continue to give my best canine friend the loving care and attention he is used to receiving.

Then I would not let my dog kiss and drool over my new baby. I would give my dog the separate attention he deserves, and then, to be safe and sanitary, I'd wash my hands and face before picking up and loving the baby. Parents who are careful and responsible will usually wind up with a blended household, and all will live happily ever after.

Dear Uncle Matty: Your recent article about cats scratching furniture neglected to mention the most important thing when a cat can't go outside: a scratching post or scratching pad. I'm 80 years old, and (my cats) have never used the furniture. -- Marta Peters, Cocoa, Fla.

Dear Marta: I guess the thought of a cat without a scratching post never occurred to me. In fact, one might say that a cat that is denied a scratching post has some pretty lame parents. You are right. It is one of those accessories that should be on a cat owner's must- have list.

Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Visit him at www.unclematty.com. Send your questions to dearunclemattyunclematty.com. Or mail your questions to him at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 (C) Creators Syndicate

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