Dogs, licking, and sharing food with toddlers

[Suki51]

Is it really okay for dogs to lick kids in the face and share their food? It seems to me that dogs have behaviours and habits that do not equate with healthy Co habiting to this extent. Dogs have their snouts up each other’s behinds as a way of greeting, and getting to know one another they also lick their genitals and have been learning to sample, even eat excrement… I’d be really interested to hear from anyone with an informed, educated opinion on this…

We never let our dog lick our toddler, she wasn’t allowed human food and didn’t beg for it. For all the reasons detailed below.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/31/should-i-let-my-dog-lick-my-face

https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2016/bcr-2016-215450.abstract?sid=98ccb2ff-8d00-401f-9c1a-5fb1ae5e768a

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/should-you-let-your-dog-lick-your-face-1.2850404

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/04/05/letting-dog-lick-face-might-render-antibiotics-useless/

Thanks for your input I found the articles very interesting, especially the Guardian. It seem to come from a clear, calm and considered place

I really wouldn't let a dog lick a childs face, if preventable. If not, clean face, esp. mouth and around eyes as soon as possible.
Sharing food is also not advisable imo, nor should a dog every be fed at the same time or near children. For some dogs this will trigger anxiety and unwanted behaviours towards children and food.

I see so many owners letting their dogs lick them & find it repulsive!