Even though most people know their pets aren’t always the cleanest, it’s hard to resist a sweet kiss from a dog or cat. Whether it’s a wagging tail or a purring cuddle, pet owners often feel close enough to their furry companions to share everything—including kisses. But medical experts are raising concerns, warning that letting your dog lick your face, especially your mouth, could carry serious health risks, including the potential loss of limbs or even death.
People usually fall into two camps: those who let their pets lick their faces without a second thought, and those who find it gross. While puppy kisses might seem cute and harmless, it’s worth remembering where your pet’s tongue has been—sniffing garbage, licking themselves, or even eating things off the ground. When you look at it that way, those affectionate licks might not be so charming.
A popular TikTok creator who goes by the name “medexplained2you” recently shared a video warning people about the dangers of letting their dogs lick their mouths. He’s a physician’s assistant and often shares health-related content online. In the video, he bluntly says, “You could actually lose your limbs over it,” explaining that a rare but dangerous bacteria called Capnocytophaga canimorsus lives in the mouths of cats and dogs. This bacteria can be passed to humans through bites, scratches, or even just close contact like licking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while these germs don’t harm pets, they can be deadly to humans. Infections can lead to heart problems, kidney failure, gangrene, and in some extreme cases, amputations. People with weakened immune systems, the elderly, heavy alcohol users, or those who have had their spleen removed are especially at risk. And in severe cases, about 30% of people with a serious infection may not survive.
The TikTok user explains that the infection can progress quickly, and if it’s not caught in time, doctors may have no choice but to amputate affected limbs. The CDC notes that symptoms usually appear within three to five days after exposure, and once the infection spreads, it can be difficult to treat.
Over the years, there have been real-life cases that brought attention to this threat. In 2022, actress Charlbi Dean passed away from bacterial sepsis. Although it was never confirmed if it was linked to a pet, her family said she had her spleen removed years earlier, which may have contributed to her vulnerability.
In another case from 2019, an Ohio woman named Marie Trainer had all four limbs amputated after her German shepherd puppy licked a cut on her arm. She survived, and despite everything she went through, she said she still loved her dogs and wouldn’t give them up.
Similar incidents occurred in Wisconsin in 2018, where two unrelated people were infected by the same bacteria. One woman, Sharon Larson, died shortly after a small dog bite. Another man, Greg Manteufel, lost both hands and legs after being exposed to several dogs, even though he hadn’t been bitten. Both were reportedly in good health before the infection, showing that even healthy people can be at risk.
The TikTok creator’s warning ends with a bit of humor, suggesting people simply “stop tonguing your dog” as an easy way to avoid the problem. But not everyone agreed with him.
Many dog lovers dismissed the warning, insisting they wouldn’t stop kissing their pets. “I’ve been doing it for 60 years and still have all my limbs,” one person commented. Another said, “That’s my son—I’ll take the risk.” Some users even joked that their pets have cleaner mouths than some people they’ve kissed.
Still, others appreciated the warning. A few users said they had known about the risk for years and were shocked to see how many people let their dogs kiss their babies on the mouth. They urged more people to take the warning seriously and think twice before allowing close contact between pets and young children.
At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. The bond between humans and their pets is strong, and for many, a few kisses are part of that connection. But as these warnings and real-life stories show, it might be worth thinking about the risks before letting your dog get too close to your face.
