Have you ever heard someone say, “let the dog lick it, it will heal faster”? Sounds gross doesn’t it? Well, research findings suggest that it’s true, a dogs saliva actually does have healing properties that can help a wound. Just the simple mechanical action of a dogs tongue can be helpful in dealing with a wound, as the saliva of a dogs tongue acts to loosen any debris that may be on the surface of the wound. The dirt or other debris will become attached to the moisture of the saliva, causing a cleansing of the wounded area.
Researchers at the University of Florida at Gainesville have discovered a protein called Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in saliva. Wounds that were treated with NGF actually healed twice as fast as untreated wounds, indicating that if a dog does lick a humans wound, it could in fact lead to a faster recovery. In addition, Dr. Nigel Benjamin, a clinical pharmacologist with St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, has conducted research indicating that when saliva comes into contact with skin, a natural component of saliva called nitrite, breaks down into nitric oxide, a chemical compound that is very effective in protecting cuts and scratches from bacterial infections.
The scientific research that has been conducted has mainly focused on the helpful compounds and antibiotics that are found in dogs saliva. Menno Oudhoff of the University of Amsterdam has found simple proteins called histatins in saliva, which are well known for their ability to ward off infections. In fact, some histatins also prompt cells from the skin’s surface to close over a wound more quickly. Oudhoff further noted, “The first thing that needs to happen for wound healing is to activate the migration of epithelial cells.”
There are some dangers of letting a dog lick a deep open wound, so always take precautions. The anaerobic bacteria called Pasteurella is found in dogs saliva as well and can cause serious infections when introduced deep into an open wound. Although the healing properties outweigh the negative impacts, there will always be a number of people who find it in their best interest to treat a wound by cleaning it with soap and water, then covering with an antibiotic cream and a bandage.
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[…] to an article by All Pet News (referencing a study by University of Florida Gainesville), in which risk for zoonotic transmission […]
[…] to an article by All Pet News (referencing a study by University of Florida Gainesville), in which risk for zoonotic transmission […]
Jesus gave an illustration in the Bible book of Luke 16:20,21 of a man named Lazarus, a beggar who was full of ulcers and this illustration said that the dogs were licking Lazarus’ ulcers. So there may be some validity to such claims of the healing power of dog saliva.
The anaerobic bacteria called Pasteurella is found in dogs saliva as well and can cause serious infections.
It’s true. I had athletes foot really bad and nothing seemed to get rid of it, at least not for very long. I finally gave up. One day while sitting on my couch with my bare feet propped up I discovered that my dog liked to lick feet. I thought it was kind of gross and weird but also kind of felt good. The dog did this every day for about a month when suddenly I realized I wasn’t having foot problems any more. Athletes foot problem gone completely. And that’s why they call him man’s best friend.
Probably explains why a dog is men’s best friend
It just makes sense that dogs would have different properties to their saliva than man, they also have stronger stomach acids to dissolve bones and they have to survive in the wild where there are no medicines available. They also lick their own wounds and each others wounds clean preventing infections.
[…] It has flour, eggs and milk. It’s virtually health food. You should eat it every day.", AllPetNews.com has an article on its site entitled "Dog saliva has healing properties." The article […]
My best friend as a child was a lab. She went swimming with me, she went everywhere with me and if I injured myself she would lick the wounds. Never got sick from it. Matter of fact I just a few days ago I lost my entire big toe nail and my current dog walked up and sniffed then licked it. Since I didn’t see it coming I had to “Peel myself off the ceiling afterwards”. It was a surprise for sure!!! I then told Penny thank you for helping me and braced myself petted her and let her lick some more. It actually felt a lot better afterward.
I’ve always had my dogs lick my cuts and scrapes. I heal quick with minimal scarring and have never gotten an infection. I never use band aids either.
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