Research from North Carolina State University published Wednesday in the journal PLoS ONE found homes with dogs have both a greater number of bacteria and more types of bacteria than homes without dogs.
"Dogs need to be outside for exercise and for their mental well-being. It makes them happier." Our dogs enrich our lives and improve our health, so it's natural to want to protect them. But keeping them inside doesn't do that.
In the wild, dogs maintain their own hygiene without human intervention, but this level of cleanliness is seldom adequate for human interaction. Humans and dogs have different ideas about what counts as “dirty” so the regimen we impose on our pets may be contrary to their nature.
In Islam, dogs are considered unclean animals -- unlike cats -- and are generally banned from public places in Saudi Arabia.
While of course opinions vary and the elite in many Muslim countries keep dogs as status symbols, the majority of Muslims see dogs as dirty, impure, sometimes even evil.
But that doesn't mean you have to kick your pooch out of the bed. Research from North Carolina State University published Wednesday in the journal PLoS ONE found homes with dogs have both a greater number of bacteria and more types of bacteria than homes without dogs.
“Dog saliva likely will do little harm to intact human skin, but could lead to irritation or even infections if there are any breaks in your skin barrier. You are most at risk if the saliva comes in contact with your mucous membranes, such as your mouth.”
Go ahead and sleep with your dog—it's perfectly safe, as long as you are both healthy. In fact, sharing your bedroom with your canine companion—as long as he isn't under the covers—may actually improve your sleep, according to recent research published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Con: Health Care Costs
Besides routine veterinarian care, there's also the chance that you will have to pay for emergency care at some point in your pet's life. These unexpected costs can often be the most expensive, so it's essential to have a pet savings account or have your pet signed up for pet health insurance.
Prolonged close contact to dogs exposes them to pet dander and may result in respiratory symptoms. But even people who do not have pet allergies can suffer increased allergic symptoms when co-sleeping with their dog. When dogs are ouside, dust and pollen clings to their fur and can exacerbate human allergies.
In families that do not have pets, parents' top reasons rated as very important not to have a pet include: hassle of owning a pet (62%), family member with pet allergies (55%), cost of owning a pet (48%), that their child would not be responsible (43%), and having a pet would not be safe for their child (39%).
Dogs are social animals and should have the opportunity to interact with people at least several times a day, and with other dogs on occasion, if this is something they enjoy. It's even more important to not leave puppies home alone all day.
Not only can pet dander cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but pet dander can potentially be harmful to your respiratory system. According to the American Lung Association this can “lead to a decline in the ability of the lungs to function.” Make sure that you and your loved ones are safe; let's start at the basics.
May decrease sleep quality
Dogs are always on the alert, so they're light sleepers. One 2020 study shows that having a dog in bed increases human movement. This can potentially disturb sleep, but those people rarely remember waking up due to dog movement.
A crate is a great place for your dog to sleep! Not only does a crate guarantee that your dog won't get into trouble in the middle of the night, but it also provides him comfort and security. If you have decided to crate-train your dog, it is ideal to pad the crate with soft blankets or pillows.
Traditionally, dogs are considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam as they are thought of as dirty. But while conservatives advocate complete avoidance, moderates simply say Muslims should not touch the animal's mucous membranes — such as the nose or mouth — which are considered especially impure.
One of the most common ways to pick up an illness or infection from a dog is through saliva. But, it's important to know that it usually takes a bite or skin abrasion for a dog's germs to cause infection in a person. This means you can continue to let you dog lick your face — if that's your thing.
Unsanitary? Definitely. Animal experts are in agreement on one scientifically proven fact: It is highly unsanitary for your dog to lick around your face, eyes, and nose! Dogs have been proven to carry various bacteria in their mouths that can be beneficial or non-effective to their overall health.
Some dogs make excessive amounts of sebum and it gets onto everything in your house.” Bonk says these oils and other things, like dog dandruff, are often difficult to remove from certain fabrics and carpets. “Bacteria and yeast that are normally present on your dog's skin and in their ears can cause odor,” she says.
A dog that isn't properly cared for or trained could cause substantial damage to your property. Importantly, this doesn't just apply to big dogs. Even small dogs can chew through cabinets, damage trim, ruin carpet, and destroy furniture.
Generally, you should mop 2-3 times a week to ensure maximum cleanliness of your floors, or whenever your furry friend brings in a little more dirt or mud. A little trick that you can do is to add a bit of a cleaning agent with fragrance, just to give your home a nice smell after you're done mopping.
They need plenty of regular exercise. Dealing with their poop is unpleasant and time-consuming. Dogs come with odors, hair, fleas, and chew marks, all of which are undesirable. Then there are the veterinary bills, which can be astronomical if they get injured in an accident or fall seriously ill.
As long as the pet is happy and lives a life of love without undue suffering, for most people, animal rights and welfare activists alike, pets are definitely fine to have!