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Many cat owners are familiar with how often cats groom themselves with their rough tongues and have even occasionally found themselves on the other end of a grooming session themselves.
If you’ve ever been groomed by your cat, you may be asking yourself, “How clean is my cat’s mouth?” You may even be wondering how it compares to a human mouth.
Read on to learn just how clean your cat’s mouth is and how it compares to your own.
It’s important to avoid letting your cat lick your face or any open skin wounds or cuts, as it may lead to opportunistic and sometimes serious infections, especially in people with a weakened immune system. In case of cat bites or scratches, please consult your doctor.
How Clean Is a Cat’s Mouth?
While the exact number of bacteria that live in your cat’s mouth can vary greatly based on multiple factors such as their oral health, recent meals, and dental hygiene, a study conducted in Hong Kong in 2022 identified 54 bacterial isolates, with Pasteurella being the most common, followed by Neisseria and Staphylococcus.1 Fourteen bacterial isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics, which poses a concern when dealing with such opportunistic infections, particularly in humans.
Cats’ mouths do contain various bacteria and other pathogens, which can be passed on to humans, most often through bites or licking of open wounds or cuts, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The bacteria and viruses in their mouth can also cause health issues for the cat itself, such as the role of various feline viruses in the development of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. What does that mean for humans with cats that like to give them the occasional “bath?” How concerned should you be if your cat bites you?
Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonotic diseases are illnesses that can be transferred from an animal to humans. Most humans are at low risk for zoonotic diseases, but those with weakened or immature immune systems should take precautions to avoid catching diseases from their cats, especially in case of any skin cuts or wounds.
Cat bites can quickly spread infection because their teeth are like tiny needles puncturing the skin and leaving behind bacteria. If you’re bitten by your cat, you should rinse and clean the wound thoroughly and call your doctor for advice.
Common bacteria and viruses found in a cat’s mouth that can cause illnesses in humans include:
Pasteurella multocida
Pasteurella multocida is found in 70% to 90% of cat mouths, and it’s also found in 50% to 80% of humans when they seek medical assistance after a bite. Pain, redness, and swelling appear within 24 to 48 hours, and if left untreated, the bacteria can spread throughout the bloodstream causing severe illness.
Bartonella henselae
This viral disease attacks the central nervous system and is usually fatal. Cats are vulnerable to the rabies virus and should be vaccinated to prevent catching or spreading the disease, especially those living in high risk areas or outdoors. Rabies vaccination is a legal requirement in many states and countries for this reason. If you suspect your cat may be at risk of rabies and you have been bitten, contact both your pet’s vet and your doctor to get care immediately.
Rabies
This viral disease attacks the central nervous system and is usually fatal. Cats are highly vulnerable to the rabies virus and should be vaccinated to prevent catching or spreading the disease. If you suspect your cat has rabies and you have been bitten, contact both your pet’s vet and your doctor to get care immediately.
Other Bacteria
There are many other bacteria that can pose a risk to human health, especially through bites, scratches or licks from a cat. Some of the more common ones include Capnocytophaga, which often causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised people, and common pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus species. They could all lead to various signs of illness, from skin infections to more distant problems in the body, some of which can become life-threatening in people at risk.
How Does a Cat’s Mouth Cleanliness Compare to Humans?
There’s a common myth that dogs’ and cats’ mouths are cleaner than human mouths, but studies are showing that our pets have just as much bacteria in their mouths as humans. Dogs host around 600 distinct types of bacteria in their mouths, while humans have over 615 types of bacteria in their mouths. There don’t appear to be many studies yet detailing how many different types of bacteria, as well as viruses that live in a cat’s mouth, but a microbiome of different types of bacteria that contribute to periodontal disease is being looked at.
Conclusion
When it comes right down to it, neither our mouths nor our cats’ mouths are especially clean. They both likely contain hundreds of different types of bacteria that can cause illness under the right circumstances. Immune-compromised individuals are more likely to develop issues from their cats licking them, but cat bites and scratches should always be cleaned immediately with disinfectant and then looked at by a doctor.
Featured Image Credit: Pitsch, Pixabay
