Scientists suggest that a dog’s lick could enhance the mental well-being of teenagers. While not everyone might see a dog’s kiss as a mood booster, researchers have found compelling health benefits from such interactions.

Recent findings indicate that teenagers, in particular, gain from the unique properties found in dog saliva. Professor Takefumi Kikusui from Azabu University in Japan conducted research involving 345 teens and unveiled these results. He stated, “Raising dogs has positive effects, especially for adolescents, which may be due to a symbiotic relationship with microorganisms. Adolescents with dogs show improved mental health, and dog ownership appears to influence their gut microbiota.”

The study included 96 teens who lived with dogs and 247 who did not, with two lacking sufficient data.

The Telegraph reports that those teens living with dogs scored higher in mental health and happiness assessments compared to their peers without regular canine contact.

According to Professor Kikusui, the secret lies in the distinct bacterial composition, or microbiome, present in dog saliva. When these dog-derived bacteria were introduced to lab mice, the animals became more social and interactive with their peers.

Additionally, spending time with dogs was found to aid teenagers in developing stronger relationships with friends and family.

Prof Kikusui added: “Since the gut microbiota influences behaviour through the gut-brain axis, we conducted this experiment”, adding that the system “may be partly involved in improving the wellbeing of adolescents living with dogs”.

He added: “We recently revealed that small numbers of bacteria can be transferred between owners and their dogs, and vice versa,” the scientists write in their study, published in iScience.

“In humans, kissing facilitates the transfer of oral microbiota. Since kissing and licking are common in human-dog interactions, it is speculated that these interactions may alter the oral and gut microbiota of owners, potentially influencing gut-brain function.”

“The most interesting finding from this study is that bacteria promoting prosociality, or empathy, were discovered in the microbiomes of adolescent children who keep dogs.

“The implication is that the benefits of dog ownership include providing a sense of security through interaction, but I believe it also holds value in its potential to alter the symbiotic microbial community.”