What Animal Has the Cleanest Mouth?
No single animal can claim to have the cleanest mouth; however, many species can assist you in fighting bad breath with their natural cleaning abilities.
Dog saliva contains antibacterial agents which help speed wound healing; however, these bacteria can make humans sick as well.
Nate Bonham of The King of Random conducted an experiment where human, cat, and canine mouths were all put through rigorous Petri dishes testing procedures.
Dogs
Common belief holds that dogs have cleaner mouths than people; but is this really the case? Our Montao vets discuss this myth and uncover the facts regarding dog saliva production.
Numerous animals clean themselves by licking, such as cats, dogs, monkeys, elephants and anteaters. Licking is an efficient means of grooming and cleaning as it removes dirt from fur or skin surfaces as well as germs that could potentially be harmful.
Dog saliva contains numerous microorganisms that can spread diseases to humans and other animals, and over 600 types of bacteria live in dogs’ mouths alone (some different than what exists in ours)! Furthermore, other sources may introduce extra bacteria via chewing on contaminated objects or through other means.
An environmental factor accounts for why dogs collect so many different strains of bacteria in their mouths; some may cause infections in the skin or digestive tract while others can enter through scratches, licks, or bites and cause an exaggerated immune response.
Although some bacteria found in dog’s mouths can make people sick, most are harmless and do not pose a threat. A person’s total mouth bacteria levels depend on factors like diet, lifestyle and hygiene practices they use; those who regularly brush their teeth, use dental chews and visit their dentist for regular check-ups tend to have healthier mouths than those who don’t follow such practices.
As all animals differ greatly from one another, it can be challenging to determine which has the cleanest mouth. Much depends on which types of bacteria reside within their saliva; and this could change with each season. Unfortunately, no animal has an entirely free of harmful bacteria mouth.
Cats
The myth that cats have cleaner mouths than dogs is simply not true; in reality, both animals’ mouths have similar bacteria counts. However, it should be noted that cats contain Pasteurella multocida bacteria which has the ability to cause serious infections in humans with compromised immune systems. Although the level of bacteria found in cat saliva may be low compared to that found in dog or human saliva samples, if bitten by one it should still be cleansed off immediately with soap and water after the bite has occurred.
Cats don’t brush their teeth regularly, meaning their mouths can become susceptible to plaque buildup and gum disease. To combat this risk, regular dental cleaning and tongue wipings by pet owners is recommended in order to eliminate food debris and bacteria before they become an issue.
Many people worry that coming in contact with the saliva or mucus of cats and dogs could expose them to illnesses that might compromise their immunity; though this is unlikely in most people with strong immunity systems. Still, it’s wise to be wary when around any animal – including your pet! – as touching any part of their face, ears, eyes or mouth prior to thoroughly washing is best practice.
Although a dog’s mouth may not be as clean as that of humans, it still ranks among the cleanest in the world. Dogs‘ natural filtration systems help them keep sediment and contaminants at bay from entering their mouths while their saliva contains beneficial bacteria that keep the oral environment healthy.
Although pigs have a reputation for being dirty, they’re actually among the cleanest creatures on the planet. While they tend to live in dirty environments, they do not defecate near where they reside or consume food. Their scaly skin keeps them cool in hot weather while their ability to sweat allows them to avoid defecation altogether.
If you’re in search of an animal with low maintenance needs and an impeccable mouth, cats and geese make excellent pets. Both species possess natural methods for keeping their teeth, tongues, eyes and ears clean – providing regular toothbrushing sessions as well as tongue wiping sessions can keep these creatures looking their best! They make fantastic additions to any household!
Giant Pacific Octopus
The Giant Pacific Octopus boasts one of the cleanest mouths among animals worldwide. Its mouthparts are specially designed to prevent contaminants such as food debris or dirty water from entering its mouth, while also including natural anti-bacterial and anti-pathogenic compounds to fight bacteria. Furthermore, its mouth can produce thick mucous that helps keep its mouth free of debris; additionally it has eyes capable of detecting predators making this creature an extremely efficient hunter.
This octopus is one of the largest marine cephalopods, boasting arms up to four meters long. Usually reddish brown in color, its skin can quickly change color or texture to camouflage itself or signal potential prey. With a well-developed brain and proven intelligence in both laboratory settings and aquarium environments, solving mazes or unscrewing lids with its arms.
Carnivorous in nature, the Common Loon consumes shrimp, crabs, scallops, clams and other mollusks as food sources. A highly efficient hunter using camouflage and jet propulsion to sneak up on prey before striking with its powerful beaks. In addition, this bird has the unique ability to mimic prey species to elude potential predators and deceive potential threats.
Giant Pacific octopuses live their entire lives alone until reaching maturity and mating age, whereupon females become ready to reproduce. Once she finds a male to mate with, females will lay hundreds of thousands of eggs that they will guard for up to six months without leaving to forage for food during this period.
Octopuses do not appear on any official list as endangered or threatened in the wild, yet they do face threats such as overfishing and water pollution, which interferes with their egg development process and affect spawning and egg development. They can also become trapped in fishing nets and are typically killed immediately upon capture – although one young girl recently made headlines for helping save an octopus beached at Bay View State Park by using her toy bucket to pour water on it until rescuers could arrive to help with it until rescuers arrived – something no other young girl had done previously!
Humans
Dogs have long been said to have cleaner mouths than humans, but is this just an old wives tale? Our Richmond vets take a look at the facts.
Dogs and cats both carry bacteria that can spread disease to humans. Many different varieties live in animal mouths and these microbes may enter your bloodstream through scratches, licks and bites to cause salmonella poisoning or gastroenteritis in people.
Humans and dogs both spread germs to one another via hand shaking or kissing, known as zoonotic diseases. Common human conditions that contribute to bad breath include diabetes, gum disease and other medical issues.
Cats and dogs utilize their tongues to clean themselves, which removes food debris and bacteria. Cats also utilize natural ways of cleansing such as rubbing their faces against surfaces to eliminate bacteria build-up.
One difference between human and canine mouths lies in their respective bacteria counts – with dogs’ mouths harboring approximately 600 different species compared to 615 and counting in human ones.
Of course, monkeys, elephants and bears all engage in self-cleansing by licking themselves; however, these actions tend to serve social reasons or provide cooling effect. Wild animals such as lions and hyenas use their tails to wash themselves, while pigs despite their reputation of filthiness have their own method for cleansing themselves; either by wadding through dirt or spraying themselves with water. Humans cannot spit, so we need to brush our teeth and wash our hands regularly in order to remain free from bacteria. Therefore, it’s also crucial that your dog receives regular dental hygiene as well as being provided with an optimal diet to keep his or her mouths healthy. Your dog’s dental health should always come first! Regular check-ups with our Richmond veterinarians will help keep their mouth and teeth free of plaque build-up that could otherwise lead to gingivitis, tartar buildup, tooth loss and other dental issues. Also keep an eye out for signs of halitosis or any other issues with their mouth health if any concerns arise regarding his oral wellbeing. If any questions arise concerning their oral wellbeing don’t hesitate to get in touch!