A rare cat-owner may refrain from kissing her pet at least once. These cute, soft, fluffy creatures evoke so many positive emotions that it is simply impossible to resist being caressed.
Is it really dangerous to have close contact with furry pets? Why can’t cats be kissed and what are the consequences? Detailed information can be found in this article.
The benefits of communicating with cats
Each cat owner knows how many positive emotions this cute animal can bring. Cats cheer up, can keep company on long winter evenings. Owners of cats and cats claim that animals help them normalize blood pressure, strengthen immunity, relieve headaches and much more.
It is proved that single people who have a cat in their companions live longer. They are happier, calmer and more confident. In children who have been in contact with cats since birth, allergic reactions are much less pronounced. This is probably due to the fact that the body is forced from the very beginning to form a defense against various bacteria and viruses.
But if these animals are so useful, then why can't cats be kissed? The reasons can be completely different. Let's talk about them in more detail.
Mystical reasons
It is believed that cats are guides to the other world. The Egyptians believed that the animal can drive away evil spirits, and worshiped cats as a deity. In Europe, for a long time, cats were considered helpers of witches, so they were often burned at the stake with their mistresses.
One of the reasons why cats cannot be kissed in the face is the danger of becoming her slave. It is believed that the owner, kissing the cat, will serve her until her death. He will fulfill all her whims and cease to notice other household members.
According to another belief, a man who kissed a cat gives her all his life forces. The more often kisses fall on a pussy, the weaker and more painful its owner becomes.
Another superstition is that cats supposedly lose their scent from kisses. This is another argument why cats should not be kissed. In practice, such a situation has never been confirmed by any veterinarian. Most often, the pussy loses its scent due to the commonplace cold (in cats, it also happens). Another reason may be the age of the animal.
Psychological reasons
Among the reasons why cats cannot be kissed are several psychological points. Pussy is so firmly entrenched in our lives that we can no longer imagine that we can exist without them. But they could not learn the human language. This means that all manifestations of love must be expressed in their language.
In some animals, excessive host kissing is simply annoying. They do not understand that we express our affection for them in this way, and can regard such actions as a threat or restriction of personal freedom. Neither the first nor the second, these animals do not like. Some of them begin to take revenge on their masters: to shit in shoes, tear curtains, scratch wallpapers, dig up land from flower pots, and so on. If your pet has never sinned before with such behavior, and then suddenly “found” it, think about it. It is quite possible that you overdid it with a manifestation of love and affection, and lately you have squeezed the animal too much.
It is better to show love for pussies in other ways. You can treat the beast with a treat, once again scratch behind the ear, stroke or play.
The fears of doctors
Reasonable explanations for why cats cannot be kissed on the nose, paws and other parts of the body are put forward by doctors.
There are a huge number of diseases that a tailed friend can transmit to a person:
- staphylococci, salmonella, bacteria, other microorganisms;
- lichens, fungal infections;
- bartonellosis;
- toxoplasmosis and various types of fever.
Of course, if you see that the pet is clearly sick, then most likely common sense will prevail, and you will refrain from kisses. But the problem is that many diseases simply cannot be determined without special tests. In addition, the animal may not be sick, but simply transmit the infection.
It is especially important to carefully handle animals for those people who have a weakened immune system:
- Pregnant
- children;
- HIV infected.
If a healthy person can kiss a cat without visible consequences for his body, then how low immune immunity will react to a probable “infection” is not clear.
Common diseases
Here are some of the most common diseases that can go from cat to man. Agree, this is a pretty good reason why cats should not be kissed.
- Toxoplasmosis. This disease affects the liver, spleen, eyes, nervous system, heart and other organs. It is especially dangerous for girls "in an interesting position." Toxoplasmosis is capable of causing irreversible intrauterine lesions of the fetus and affect its development.
- "Scratches . " This disease is quite common, although this is not too customary to talk about. Scratch spots can become very inflamed. A rash may appear, an allergic reaction, intoxication, inflammation of the lymph nodes may occur.
- Worms. The disease is caused by parasites living in the body of cats and humans. It is very easy to get infected. Do not think that if your pet is not on the street, then it is “clean”. If a cat eats raw meat or fish, then it certainly has worms.
- Rabies . A well-known disease that can be fatal. It is transmitted by bites along with the saliva of a sick animal. Of course, home-made pussies rarely become "wild", but still this happens.
- Plague. This is a very dangerous disease. It is generally accepted that rats are its carriers, but cats can also be sources of infection. In people, the plague causes severe fever, sepsis and affects the lungs.
- Felinosis. It manifests itself in a person in the form of a rash, pustular inflammation, fever and other unpleasant symptoms. It is transmitted mainly from cats through mucous membranes and saliva.
- Deprive . A very unpleasant and common disease. Fungal infection causes hair loss, severe itching, sores and redness. It is treated for a long time.
This is not a complete list of what a furry pet can “reward” you.
Precautionary measures
According to many avid cat-lovers, all of the above reasons apply to street cats. And why not kiss domestic cats, those that do not go outside the apartment? The arguments are the same. Of course, absolutely a pet has a chance to pick up a disease is not so great, but it is. Many of the fungi and bacteria we bring home on our street shoes and clothes. So, all of the above remains relevant.
If you do not kiss your pet above your strength, then at least try to minimize all the risks:
- give your pussy all the necessary vaccinations;
- treat fleece with anti-flea drugs even if you are sure that there are no “guests”;
- never feed an animal with raw fish or meat;
- as often as possible and carefully remove the cat tray;
- do yourself and your pet regular prophylaxis against worms;
- regularly undergo preventive examinations at the veterinarian.