08-09-2017, 06:08 PM
It will vary, not just with different Dogs, but with the same Dog at different times,
Oral hygiene, for both of you, is a given. But whatever pet you have - Dog, Horse, Goat, Monitor, Turkey - you should fully familiarize yourself with their full range of breath. Find out what is within a "normal" spectrum or "palette" of aromas, and how they vary with feeds, treats. medications, times, seasons, etc. If it then changes without an apparent reason, you will need to avoid oral contact and find out the whats & whys behind it.
Whatever the Animal, there are three scent types that are an immediate red flag against oral intimacy. Two of them are rot and feces. One minute, they could have a mouth freshly done from a Milk-Bone session, and five minutes later, have a mouth that is seething with the remains of roadkill Raccoon or a steaming pile.
it could also indicate an underlying health issue, such as a dental abscess or other infection.
The third scent warning is chemical, and could mean that they have gotten into something dangerous. A floral, fruity or "nail polish remover" smell could mean that they chewed-up an old air freshener, or it could indicate ketoacidosis, a life-threatening medical issue associated with diabetes that requires immediate attention.
Or they could have gotten into the garden shed or under the sink.
If they have a chemical breath and are acting even the least bit strange, they need to be taken to the vet right away. If you can tell what they got into, bring it with you.
Equines share breath and "kisses" as a regular part of their social interaction. If both parties are healthy, then such interaction in a non-sexual context ought to be encouraged, though the Horse should be, and the Human must be, familiar with the other species. Hold your tongue though, a bite would be devastating.
For Birds, it varies widely. Doves and Pigeons practice kissing as a regular social activity, and is generally fine with your own Birds, as long as you are both healthy. Larger Birds, such as Gannets or Albatrosses do the same, but the bite risk and the risk of a stray poke at the eyes precludes that activity.
If you are even lucky enough to work with these Birds!
Never present or insert your tongue into any Bird's mouth. Many Birds engage in courtship feeding or food exchange at the nest, and your tongue could be interpreted as a food offering, with potentially disastrous results.
Many people engage in kissing behavior with Parrots, a normal social activity for them. This is risky, but especially with Cockatoos. They tend to have rather "sketchy" personalities, and even the seemingly best behaved one could strike out with little or no apparent provocation or warning.
I knew a person that did this for years, without incident, with a Triton Cockatoo. Then one day, he nailed him, with no apparent warning. Recovery to a "presentable" state took months, even with cosmetic surgery.
Mouth-to-mouth contact with Vultures and other Raptors is always risky, even with captive Birds. Both pathogens and mistaken food-offering risks apply. Even with the most affectionate Vultures, I will not do it, unless it is for resuscitation in a medical emergency, which fortunately has never been necessary.
The tail-end of a Vulture is a totally different situation. But that's another story!
Resident Hyaena ^..^
