Why Do Dogs Rarely Get Sick? The Real Truth

Dogs rarely get sick, which is a common misconception. They do get ill, but we mostly fail to recognize it. Dogs can be infected with several dangerous diseases, such as Distemper, Rabies, and Cancer. However, the frequency of dogs getting sick is lower than that of humans.

The reason that dogs rarely get sick is in their saliva. Dog saliva has a higher pH and contains many helpful bacteria. All these substances help them to knock back the bacteria that can make them sick. Also, they have a strong resistance to diseases. It helps them to survive in the wild.

The Benefits of Pet Saliva

Pet saliva has many beneficial properties, such as antibacterial and antimicrobial effects. Dog saliva has several benefits – 

• The presence of histatins (specific proteins ) in dogs’ saliva protects them from infections.
• They use their saliva to clean the wounds and cuts on their body. 

There are several myths about dog saliva. People believe it has scientifically proven healing properties. 

Do Dogs Get Sick Like Humans?

Yes, dogs can get sick like humans. Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, and even weight loss. However, dogs cannot contract the common human cold virus; they can, however, develop their own versions of colds, such as dog flu and kennel cough.

Why Can’t Dogs Get Sick from Humans?

The viruses that make humans sick, such as the common cold and flu, are species-specific and cannot cross between species. So, dogs rarely get sick from humans. However, research suggests that dogs can catch human flu viruses like SARS-CoV-2. Still, they often don’t get sick due to these infections. 

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Why Do Dogs Lick the Floor When Sick?

Dogs licking the floor are a sign that their stomachs are upset. Certain tongue and mouth movements while licking increase saliva production, which fights against the acid in the stomach. Sometimes, while feeling nauseous, they lick the floors. Another probable reason is separation anxiety, which is very common in dogs. 

Lick Guard for Dogs

Dogs’ natural tendency to lick their injured parts can sometimes be harmful. Several products on the market discourage licking. Lick guard ointments and protective dog collars are popular. Lick sleeves are also beneficial, covering areas like legs, ankles, or hips. 

Why Don’t Dogs Get the Common Cold?

Dogs can’t catch a common cold, which is a misconception. They do get cold, but it’s different from a human cold. The chances that a dog will contract a cold from a human are meager. The bacteria that cause the common cold differ between humans and dogs. Bordetella and bronchiseptica are responsible for canine colds, while rhinoviruses are commonly responsible for human colds. 

Can Dogs Get Aids?

Fortunately, dogs can not get infected with AIDS. HIV is a delicate virus that cannot survive in a dog’s mouth. So, it’s unable to develop any infection. 

Although ehrlichiosis is the dog version of AIDS, it can infect dogs through biting or blood transmission from an infected dog. 

Conclusion

The moral of the story is that dogs do get sick. We tend to go unnoticed because we are unable to complain. Street and wild dogs often die from wounds or cuts that become infected. Diseases like cancer and distemper take their lives. Dogs rarely get sick because they can easily treat minor illnesses on their own. For example, they eat grass to vomit if feeling nauseous.