Is it possible to kiss cats? How safe is it

People use hugs and kisses as a way to show affection, and often we use these methods to show our cats that we love them. But do cats like to be kissed?

The first thing you should consider is whether you and your cat are healthy, since kissing can transmit diseases between you. If one of you is sick, then such close contact should definitely be avoided!

Another thing to make sure is that your cat is used to this level of contact with you. If you've never kissed them before, they might not like the sudden invasion of your personal space.

Is it possible to kiss a cat?

I'd say there's nothing wrong with showing your cat how much you love her by giving kitty a smack on the head.

However, keep in mind that there are still some risks, especially if you kiss your pet on the lips. This largely depends on the health status of your pets.

So let's see what can happen if you kiss a cat.

Why do cats kiss?

However, this is true. Cats may begin to lick a person if, for example, they are attracted by some kind of smell (from the skin itself or from something that recently touched it). Also, the pet can start doing this if it considers that the owner needs additional self-care. Of course, this kind of care can also be classified as love.

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What are the risks of kissing a cat?

The good news is that cats and people are two different species. From a medical point of view, this means that you cannot contract diseases that are common in the cat family.

So you don't have to worry about cat flu or cat HIV.

However, some diseases cross the species barrier. We call them zoonotic diseases, and as such they can be potentially dangerous to you. For example:

Parasites such as toxoplasmosis, which is transmitted through feces.
Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection that is easily treatable but persistent.
Some common bacteria such as staphylococcus, salmonella and E. coli.
Cat scratch fever is transmitted through scratches and bites.
Rabies is a deadly viral infection spread through saliva.

To be honest, it is doubtful that you will come into contact with anything from your cat if you practice good hygiene and have a strong immune system.

To minimize your chances of contracting the disease, you should remember to deworm your cat regularly and make sure she is up to date on her vaccinations.

Dangerous neighborhood

By receiving good nutrition and regular grooming, your pet can look completely healthy: well-fed sides, radiant eyes, shiny coat. However, it can be a carrier of pathogenic particles dangerous to humans, including viruses, bacteria, fungal microflora and parasites.

If a cat has access to the street and “walks on its own,” then the likelihood of bringing infection into the house on its paws and fur increases tenfold. Dirty travel through garbage cans and basements, eating garbage, contact with rats and unkempt stray creatures increases the risk of transmitting pathogens of dangerous diseases to owners:

Rabies . The deadly virus usually enters the bloodstream through the bite of a sick animal. However, there have been cases of infection through saliva that gets onto the wound surface of the skin or mucous membrane. In the wild, the main source of the disease is foxes, and in the city - stray dogs and cats. The virus spreads along nerve fibers and affects the central nervous system, leading to aggressive behavior, paralysis and death. Veterinarians warn: you should never touch, much less pick up or press an unfamiliar cat to your face. The closer the site of initial penetration of the pathogen is to the head, the shorter the incubation period and the less time to take preventive measures and administer a life-saving vaccine.
Toxoplasmosis . The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is the microscopic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which enters the body through contact with infected animals, their blood, entrails and feces, as well as through eating poorly cooked or fried meat. If a pet is a carrier of toxoplasma, the owner can easily become infected by changing the litter in the cat's litter box and forgetting to wash their hands afterward. Some people have asymptomatic toxoplasmosis, while others experience a slight increase in temperature, conjunctivitis, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and dysfunction of the liver, heart, and nervous system. Toxoplasma poses a particular danger to pregnant women, causing intrauterine fetal death, serious developmental disorders and the birth of an oligophrenic child.
Salmonellosis . This is a highly contagious infectious disease of animals caused by bacteria from the genus Salmonella and affecting mainly the digestive and respiratory systems. In young animals, the disease is severe, with general intoxication, fever, signs of acute gastroenteritis and bronchitis. A pet can become infected with salmonella through contact with sick pets, birds and harmful rodents. If sanitary standards are not observed at poultry farms, poultry carcasses and eggs become the source of the disease. A person runs the risk of getting salmonellosis by caring for a sick kitten or eating meat products that have not passed veterinary control.
Chlamydia . In cats, the intracellular bacterium Chlamydophila felis most often affects the eyes, leading to chronic conjunctivitis. In babies from 1 to 3 months, severe inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes and profuse lacrimation are accompanied by decreased activity, runny nose, swelling of the throat and bronchitis. Mature cats become infected through sexual contact, newborn kittens - when passing through the female's birth canal. In humans, the course of feline chlamydial conjunctivitis has a lubricated form and proceeds easily. Infection is possible through contact with a carrier animal. For treatment, eye ointments containing antibiotics are used.
Dermatomycoses . Fungal infections of the skin, known as ringworm, lead to redness, itching, dandruff, bald patches and brittle hair. The course of the disease is complicated by the addition of a pyogenic infection. Young children are most sensitive to dermatomycosis due to instability of the immune system and non-compliance with mandatory hygiene rules. If symptoms of the disease are detected in a cat, treatment should be started immediately, and all family members should undergo a preventive examination by a dermatologist.
Helminths . Cats can be hosts to several types of parasitic worms (worms), which live primarily in the intestines, but cause intoxication of the entire body. Kittens are most often infected with roundworms (nematodes), the most common of which are roundworms. Their number can be so great that the intestinal wall ruptures and the baby dies from peritonitis. Adult animals are infested with tapeworms, the most dangerous of which is echinococcus. In the human body, the larva travels through the bloodstream into the liver and forms blisters there, in which it slowly develops and grows. Cats become infected with helminths from each other, or by eating raw meat, liver, or fish with microscopic larvae. Freshwater bodies of water are especially unfavorable, so it is recommended to thoroughly boil the catch from there. Worm eggs are released into the external environment with feces and often remain on the animal’s fur, so a person can become a carrier of helminths during daily interaction with a cat. As a preventative measure, you should regularly give your pet antihelminthic drugs and avoid feeding poor-quality food.

Who should avoid cat kisses?

I have been scratched hundreds of times without any infections or complications. However, I have read stories of people who became very ill from a simple cat scratch.

This may seem like a step too far for some, but certain groups of people are at high risk when interacting with an animal. I'm talking about:

People with weak immune systems because they have difficulty fighting off infections
Very young children with undeveloped immune systems
Pregnant women due to the chances of contracting toxoplasmosis.

Do not misunderstand me. It's a great idea to raise children with pets because it strengthens their immune system. Researchers have also shown that the more often you expose your child to pets, the less likely it is that your child will develop allergies later in life.

However, very young children have weak immune systems that will not be able to fight off some of the bacteria that your cat may carry.

Beautiful gray cat on female hands on sofa

Toxoplasmosis is also not life-threatening for adults, but dangerous for the unborn child. This can lead to miscarriage or the birth of a baby with serious complications such as vision problems and developmental delays. So avoid cat litter as much as possible.

Prevention necessary for animals and their owners

In order to protect the animal and yourself, you need to follow simple prevention.

The animal's diet should exclude raw meat and raw river fish, as these products may contain parasite eggs. All your cat's food should be well-cooked, or an excellent alternative is cat food. Domestic cats should not be allowed outside unattended so that they are not tempted to rummage through city dumps and basements. You need to walk your cat on a harness and wash its paws after the walk. For worms, both owners and pets need to take medications at least once every three months. On average, the effect of the drug lasts three months. February, May, August and November are the most suitable months for carrying out preventive actions.

The animal must be protected from street hunting for mice and rats, as they are dangerous carriers of many viruses and diseases. Cats need to be trained, not allowed to sleep in the same bed with children, walk on the dining table or lie on it. It is better to avoid close contact with the cat; periodically check the animal for the presence of fungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites.

People with weakened immune systems, newborn children, and pregnant women should be careful when interacting with pets and keep a distance when in contact with them.

Pets undoubtedly require attention and affection, but it is not necessary to express your love for them through kisses. If a cat wants attention, she will show it from a distance; she can lie on her back and expose her belly for stroking. The cat shows its love for its owner with sounds; it begins to “purr” and close its eyes. And the best “kiss” for a cat at a distance is to look into her eyes with love and tenderness.

Should you kiss a cat on the lips?

I love my cat with all my heart, but I would never kiss her on the lips. I often kiss the top of her head and bump noses with her, but kissing her on the lips is too much for me.

It's not that I find it disgusting, but the germaphobe in me says it's unsanitary. I know that many cat owners will not agree with me, and I will not argue. But I want to mention something.

A cat's mouth is no cleaner than a human's. Cats are predators, and even when they live indoors full-time, they will catch various bugs and insects that crawl into your homes. So, a cat's mouth is full of bacteria that can harm you in the long run.

Not to mention the cat licks itself everywhere (you know what I mean) and a lot of parasites are spread through feces.

How to express your feelings for an animal?

If veterinarians do not recommend kissing even domestic cats, how can you express your love to your pet? Some tips:

Scratch your chin and behind your ear. When an animal wants affection, it itself comes up to the person and offers places that can be scratched. Usually this is the neck, ears, forehead. How can you tell if your cat likes scratching? He will respond with a purr.
Treat them to your favorite treat. Do not give food from the table or overfeed the animal. The cat will appreciate the care, but this will negatively affect its health.
Don't chase your pet away. Most cats need to be in close proximity to their owner, even if the person thinks they are causing him a nuisance. If a cat is sitting on a book that its owner is reading, it’s worth stopping for a few minutes and scratching your beloved pet behind the ear.

Cats don’t like some procedures at all, but they are also an expression of love - bathing, visiting the veterinarian, vaccinations, trimming their claws. You should also not forget about affectionate words - cats do not understand words, but they well understand the intonation with which they are addressed.

Source

Do cats understand that kissing is a sign of affection?

Cats show affection to their loved ones in a variety of ways. They rub against our legs, headbutt us, or playfully bite us while playing. Sometimes they even preen themselves by licking your hands or hair.

Grooming is a big sign of trust because cats only groom each other when they feel a deep connection. And kissing isn't that different from a cat licking another cat.

So, I would say that cats know that we are showing affection when we kiss them. However, they prefer to kiss us in the “cat way.”

A cat kiss is when your cat looks at you and blinks slowly. It's their equivalent of our "I love you" kisses. Blink slowly at your cat and she will understand that you care about her.

The bottom line is that kissing a cat won't make you sick unless you have a weakened immune system. So, as long as you and your cat are healthy, feel free to kiss and pet your cat as much as you want.

Psychological reasons

Among the reasons why you should not kiss cats are several psychological factors. Pussies have become such a part of our lives that we can no longer imagine existing without them. But they were never able to learn human language. This means that all expressions of love must be expressed in their language.

Some animals are simply irritated by their owner's excessive kissing. They do not understand that we are expressing our affection for them in this way, and may perceive such actions as a threat or restriction of personal freedom. These animals do not like either the first or the second. Some of them begin to take revenge on their owners: shitting in shoes, tearing curtains, scratching wallpaper, digging up soil from flower pots, and so on. If your pet has never sinned with such behavior before, and then suddenly it “comes over” – think about it. It is quite possible that you have overdone the display of love and affection, and have recently been “squeezing” the animal too much.

It's better to show your love for your fluffy in other ways. You can treat the animal with a treat, scratch it behind the ear, stroke it, or play.

Oral health

“There is concern among dentists about the harm to the human oral cavity caused by cat 'kisses'. However, the likelihood of consequences remains unclear. What experts know for sure is that humans, cats and dogs have similar but different microbiomes, says Lenin Asturo Villamizar-Martinez, DVM, assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Research shows that a similar type of bacteria is found in the mouths of cats, dogs and humans that can cause periodontal disease. However, this is not direct evidence that close contact leads to the transmission of these bacteria and, as a result, to the emergence of problems in humans, explains Dr. Vilamizar-Martinez. “Perhaps people have a defense system that allows them to avoid infection.”

At the beginning of 2015, a study was published in the scientific journal PlOS One, during which specialists sequenced the DNA of the oral microflora of four dogs and their owners (two people who did not have pets also participated in the experiment). As experts have found, it is highly likely that dog bacteria are not able to survive in the more acidic environment of the human mouth. It can be assumed that the situation is similar with cats, because... their pH level is the same as a dog's.

According to PlOS One experts, frequent brushing of teeth can get rid of most of the bacteria acquired by the owner from his pet, but some microbes will still remain in the interdental space. The question arises: is this small fraction capable of causing harm? Unfortunately, nothing is impossible.