Fluffy pets quickly win over even the most stern hearts. Few can resist the temptation to pet a cat, pick it up, cuddle it, and, of course, shower this sweet creature with kisses. Let's find out how safe it is.
Signs that indicate you shouldn't kiss pets
According to superstition, you shouldn't kiss your pets. Since ancient times, cats have been considered mystical animals. This fact has given rise to many superstitions about them.
One superstition says that kissing a cat drains a person's energy. Are you feeling drained during the day, tired, and apathetic? Perhaps you're overly kissing your furry friend?
Rumor has it that people stop paying attention to other family members, finding themselves at the complete mercy of their pet. They literally become its slave, catering to its every whim.
But how can one distinguish between superstition and genuine love and care for a pet? It's a contentious issue.
Another superstition says that a cat can easily lose its sense of smell after a kiss. Veterinarians refute this, but superstitions are superstitions. Whether you believe them or not is up to you.
What do doctors say?
While superstitions are ambiguous, the medical reasons are far more compelling. Some believe that a clean and well-groomed pet cannot carry diseases. A cat, on the other hand, is clean, vaccinated, and doesn't go for walks. There's some truth to this, but it's not all rosy.
Even domestic cats can pose a threat to the human body. The most harmless consequences may include oral diseases (gingivitis, stomatitis) or intestinal infections. Other unpleasant surprises may include:
- helminths;
- fungal diseases (for example, lichen);
- plague;
- toxoplasmosis;
- staphylococcus;
- cat scratch disease (rash, allergic reactions).
Proper care of the animal, annual preventive examinations, vaccinations and adherence to personal hygiene rules will help avoid the above.
But it's still worth remembering the potential danger. Those at risk include those with weakened immune systems, children, and pregnant women. Want to avoid the consequences? Take precautions:
- Do not kiss stray animals or other people's animals whose health you are not sufficiently aware of;
- After close contact with the animal, wash your hands;
- do not allow your pet to walk on the dining table;
- carry out antihelminthic prophylaxis every 3 months;
- wash water and food bowls thoroughly;
- Clean the litter box daily, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. This is especially important for pregnant women who are not immune to toxoplasmosis. It's best to delegate this responsibility to other family members for the time being.
So, can you kiss your cat or not?
Do pets appreciate such affection? Sadly, most often they don't. At the very least, expect a cool, indifferent reaction. Animals simply don't understand this expression of human love. Many even see it as aggression, trying to avoid it, becoming anxious, or attacking back, clawing and hissing.
Innocent kisses can be a source of stress for a cat. If you want to please a cat, from its perspective, it's better to choose other methods. Treat it with a favorite treat, scratch it behind the ear, pet it, or, better yet, play with your cat, who's missed you while you're away.
Choose the right time for affection. If your pet is hungry or rushing about, they're unlikely to be thrilled. However, a well-fed and sleepy cat will be more than happy to receive your attention and reward you with a grateful purr.
In short, there's no definitive answer to the question of whether it's okay to kiss your cat. Of course, no one can absolutely forbid it; it's up to each individual owner and their level of affection. But it's best to find other ways to provide tactile contact that will be enjoyable for both you and your pet. Love your pets, and may that love be reciprocated.
