What Happens If a Dog Licks Human Blood?

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Unraveling the mystery as to why your pup wants to lick your wounds (and whether or not you should let them)
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Have you ever gotten a cut or a scrape, only to have your dog seem overly invested in that little bit of blood? Dogs will not only lick their own wounds, but they’ll also try to lick wounds of their human companions—but why is that? And will human blood make them sick? In this article, we’ll explain exactly why your pup wants to lap up that little bit of blood and what might happen if you let them. For scientific and evolutionary explanations, keep reading.

Things You Should Know

  • If a dog licks human blood, there’s a chance that they could get sick or get an upset stomach.
  • There’s also a chance that they could pass disease or bacteria to you, making you ill.
  • Dogs lick your wounds because they want to help you heal and they care about you.
  • Stop your dog from licking your wounds by covering your cuts and scrapes with bandages.
Section 1 of 3:

What could happen if my dog licks human blood?

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  1. While there aren’t a lot of diseases or viruses that pass between humans and animals, there are a handful that can make your dog seriously ill. These are called zoonotic diseases, and they include the flu, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. [1] It’s a small risk, but it could cause your dog harm if it ever happens.
    • Plus, if your dog drinks too much of your blood (we’re talking cupfuls of it here), then they might experience vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.
  2. If your dog has any sort of virus, it can be passed to you via their saliva. One of the major viruses to be concerned about is rabies, which is a potentially deadly disease that is passed via open wounds. Other things that your dog could pass onto you include:
    • Salmonella, a bacteria that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
    • Giardia, a parasite that is ingested via dirty water.
    • Campylobacter, a bacteria that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea.
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  3. Have you ever heard that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than ours is? Unfortunately, that rumor isn’t 100% true. When a dog licks an open wound of yours, they’re introducing bacteria that can cause infection, some of them so severe that they could lead to amputations. [2]
    • Plus, the constant licking can agitate the wound, slowing down healing time.
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Section 2 of 3:

Why do dogs lick human blood?

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  1. When your dog gets a cut or a scratch, they’ll instinctively lick at it to clean off the blood. Some components of canine saliva can actually help heal wounds, which is why dogs will often lick their own wounds so incessantly. Since your dog views you as part of their pack, they want to take care of you and help you heal fast. [3]
    • Dogs are intelligent animals, and they can tell when you’re hurting (especially if they see blood).
    • While it’s true that a dog’s saliva can help heal their own wounds, a dog’s saliva is not beneficial to wounds on a human. The healing properties that may help your wound are negated by the potential bacteria and illnesses you could contract from a dog’s mouth.
Section 3 of 3:

How to Prevent Your Dog from Licking Your Wounds

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  1. Clean your wound with a disinfectant to avoid infection, then cover it up. Keeping a wound covered will not only put a barrier between it and your dog, but it will also speed up the healing process, too. [4]
    • Always seek medical care for severe wounds that may need stitches.
  2. The best way to prevent your dog from licking your wounds is to not give them access to the wounds in the first place. If your dog comes near you, cover your wound with clothing or get up and walk away. Eventually, they’ll lose interest and will likely leave you (and your wound) alone.
    • If your dog really won’t leave it, distract them with a treat or a fun toy instead.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201106/can-dogs-help-humans-heal
      3. ↑ https://wagwalking.com/behavior/why-do-dogs-always-lick-your-cuts
      4. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-clean-a-wound/

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