As anyone knows, it's important to keep a wound clean so in that way licking has its advantages. Furthermore, cat saliva contains compounds that can aid the healing process. A few compounds contained in cat saliva such as opiorphin, peroxidase, lactoferrin, and thrombospondin act as a pain reliever and antibacterial.
As a public service to our readers, it's probably okay for you to lick your own wounds (though that's gross), but please never allow your cat to lick your open sores. Using your feline as your primary wound care specialist can lead to a terrible condition called cat scratch disease.
Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacterium carried in the cat saliva. The bacteria are passed from an infected cat to a human after the cat licks an open wound or bites or scratches human skin hard enough to break the surface of the skin.
Wound licking is an instinctive response in humans and many other animals to cover an injury with saliva. Dogs, cats, small rodents, horses, and primates all lick wounds. Saliva contains tissue factor which promotes the blood clotting mechanism.
There are several antibacterial compounds in dog and cat mouths—including small molecules called peptides—and in humans' mouths, too. But your pet's tongue is not a magic source of germ-killers. You wouldn't want to rely on these compounds to sterilize an area, Dewhirst says.
Cats tend to have traces of Staphylococcus intermedius and Pasteurella multocida in their saliva, especially if they live in groups or roam outside. Both of these bacterial strains are harmful if allowed to enter the human body.
It is true that the bacteria in a cat's mouth is quite similar to that of humans. As such, at any point in time, a cat's mouth may be no dirtier than ours. However, cats contain certain other bacteria in their mouths, which cause gum disease. As predators, they also eat animals and insects that may harbor diseases.
Cats carry bacteria in their mouths, which can lead to local or systemic infection if a cat licks an open wound. Immunocompromised people are most at risk. Acquiring a disease from your cat is very rare, but to be safe, don't let your cat lick your face or any cuts on your skin.
Human saliva contains a wide variety of bacteria that are usually harmless in the mouth but can cause significant infection if introduced deep within an open wound.
Saliva creates a humid environment, thus improving the survival and functioning of inflammatory cells that are crucial for wound healing. In addition, saliva contains several proteins which play a role in the different stages of wound healing.
While it is more likely that you'll receive germs causing human disease while shaking hands than when getting smooched by a dog, saliva from a cat or dog—delivered via an affectionate lick, an accidental or aggressive bite, or a defensive scratch—may contain organisms that can cause illness if they penetrate the skin ...
Do not allow cats to lick your wounds. Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of cat scratch disease or infection. CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. Up to 30% of cats carry B. henselae in their blood, although most cats with this infection show NO signs of illness.
It may not be that your wound has a particularly foul odor, but if it was treated with an ointment, even if it doesn't smell strong to you, it can smell strong to the cat. The scent glands in the roof of their mouths simply help them identify an odor.
Do not allow your cat to lick or scratch the incision, as he may pull the sutures out and could introduce an infection into the incision. If the incision is not bandaged, inspect it at least twice daily.
You may find your cat licking you after a workout or when you've applied lotion because they like the taste of salty sweat or moisturizing oils on your skin. Your cat wants to groom you. In a group of cats, there is often one cat that takes on grooming responsibility for all the other cats.
It's quite common for a cat to give their owner a lick or two on the hand, arm, or even on the cheek. For cats, licking is mostly a sign of affection or a method of cleaning, since cats lick themselves (or their kittens) in order to groom. However, cats will also lick each other to show various types of affection.
In fact, saliva is rich with effectors that exert direct antimicrobial activity, such as enzymatic breakdown of bacterial cell walls by lysozyme and sequestering iron by lactoferrin [4, 5].
Is It True If a Dog Licks Your Wound, It Heals Faster? No. This is an old wives' tale and a misunderstanding of the properties of a dog's salvia. While a dog's saliva does contain some antiseptic properties, these are often minor compared to the potential bacteria that may be introduced.
Licking one's wounds makes scientific sense, researchers have discovered. The instinctive reaction, shared by man and animals, to slobber over the injured part, aids healing because saliva is a natural antiseptic.
Wash Your Hands!
Although cats are very clean animals, sometimes they have germs, especially in their poop and in their mouths, that can make you sick. Don't touch your cat's bum (most of them don't like that!), and always wash your hands after playing with a cat. Don't let a cat lick your face or any sores.
To keep it on the safe side, wash your face with antibacterial soap after your cat licks it. Also, if you have any cuts or open wounds, keep your cat away from them.
A few compounds contained in cat saliva such as opiorphin, peroxidase, lactoferrin, and thrombospondin act as a pain reliever and antibacterial. In conclusion, cats lick their wounds because that's their way of cleaning the wound and giving themselves comfort.
When going in for a kiss, the most important thing is to avoid kissing on the lips, for hygiene reasons. It's best to avoid the stomach too as most cats don't like having their tummy touched.
It's also important to note that even if your cat appears healthy, they could still be carrying harmful bacteria. If you're concerned about the risks, it's best to avoid eating food your cat has licked.