Most of us have probably kissed our dogs, either superficially or with a really wet one, but is that really a good idea? Since it’s possible to get deathly ill from kissing your dog, it’s probably a good idea to avoid kissing as much as possible.

Essentially, we should all always wash our hands after handling, feeding, and brushing our pets, and actually avoid kissing them. If you kiss your dog, there is a chance that you will exchange plaque from his mouth with yours, which could introduce different bacteria into your mouth that could be harmful.

If you haven’t noticed, dogs like to lick their bottoms, so if you kiss your dog on the mouth, you could pick up some of those bacteria. It doesn’t seem to bother the dog, but it probably would bother you. Any type of feces from any living thing is not good to put in your mouth, as it could introduce e-Coli and other harmful germs.

For example, a protozoan organism found in dogs can cause flu-like symptoms in a disease called toxoplasmosis. It can be especially dangerous if pregnant women get it, as it can cause miscarriage and birth defects.

Dogs commonly get worms, particularly hookworms and roundworms. Dogs constantly have their noses to the ground and are very susceptible to picking up these critters, and if you and your dog are kissing, you can catch them too.

Dogs can also spread Salmonella, although it is usually spread through spoiled meat, dogs can get it from reptiles such as turtles, lizards and snakes. It can be present in their feces and the dog can pick it up from there.

It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on what your dog eats, such as not letting him rummage through neighbors’ trash cans. The half-eaten hotdog, or rotten hamburger he stumbles upon might taste good to him, but the bacteria that’s growing like crazy might not faze him, but he’d give you a good fever if he licked your mouth.

Ultimately, watch what your dog eats and don’t kiss him on the mouth. Wash your hands every time you come into contact with it, as dogs are ravenous lickers and any part of it could have bacterial problems for you.