Thread: A dogs aftershave?

Originally Posted by Theseus

If I remember correctly, there are some anti-septic qualities to certain animals saliva, including dogs. It may be a case of an old wives tale with some basis in scientific fact. Either way, I'm not letting any animal get a taste of my blood. They may want more.

Nope. No go. Dog saliva ≠ aftershave. If countless articles and commonly accepted facts aren't convincing, that's fine, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

It is a common belief here that dog saliva has certain healing properties, but i haven't ever tried. Well maybe as a kid.
It might be not wise to get your dogs to get used to the taste or scent of human blood.

Originally Posted by Bubblehead

Nope. No go. Dog saliva ≠ aftershave. If countless articles and commonly accepted facts aren't convincing, that's fine, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Actually, the University of California did tests on dog saliva and found that it can inhibit and kill e coli among other bacterias: ScienceDirect - Physiology & Behavior : Antibacterial properties of saliva: Role in maternal periparturient grooming and in licking wounds

I think it's best not to rely on any type of saliva for real cleaning / healing. Human saliva also contains lysosyme, an enzyme that kills bacteria. But there are many bacteria that are immune to animals' antibacterial enzymes. Eggs and cysts of worms are also unaffected. And since dogs are constantly licking their butts or eating turds, and God knows what else, they tend to have all kinds of pathogens in their mouths.
If you want to treat your wounds with saliva, use your own. Unless you lick the same things your dog does, you'll be introducing fewer pathogens into your wounds.

I should probably start by saying I'm a little weird.

I love dogs; I have four. I feel dogs are 'pack animals', that is, they 'need' their pack. Their "masters" and their "masters'" families are their packs. So our dogs are inside dogs. But they are also 'in bed' dogs. My Dalmation actually sleeps IN my bed with me. I've always allowed my dogs to lick my wounds. My father (85 years old, born on a German villiage in Yugoslavia; it was almost 'middle ages' style) always said dogs licking wounds was good for the wounds. I also recall a Bible verse about dogs licking the wounds or sores of beggers outside the citie's walls (or something like that). I was always told dogss mouths are 'anticeptic'. Dogs seem to like licking wounds; and I don't feel it's simply to 'get some blood'. I think it's a 'caring' thing. We now know dogs can actually sniff out cancer in the body. I feel thay don't do this simply because it's an interesting scent, maybe also a 'caring' thing...

Dog Saliva Has Healing Properties - AllPetNews

Originally Posted by Theseus

Actually, the University of California did tests on dog saliva and found that it can inhibit and kill e coli among other bacterias: ScienceDirect - Physiology & Behavior : Antibacterial properties of saliva: Role in maternal periparturient grooming and in licking wounds

That still doesn't make dog spit a substitute for aftershave. It never will. But if reeking like dog breath turns on some ladies, who am I to complain! I'd much rather stick with my trusty Pre De Provence.

Originally Posted by Bubblehead

That still doesn't make dog spit a substitute for aftershave. It never will. But if reeking like dog breath turns on some ladies, who am I to complain! I'd much rather stick with my trusty Pre De Provence.

Not disagreeing with you on the aftershave part. I was just stating the dog saliva has proven antiseptic/antibacterial qualities and that the old wives tale doea have some basis in fact.Oh, and by the way, nothing turns on a woman like a lick from a cute puppy.

Man, has this thread gone weird!

What's really weird is that I am enjoying it.

Might say it has gone to the "DOGS"