Vicky Pattison, known for her roles on Geordie Shore and Ex on the Beach, has ignited a wave of reactions among her followers after sharing a video on Instagram that shows her allowing her dog, Max, to lick inside her mouth. This unusual display of affection has drawn both adoration and disgust from fans, particularly due to concerns surrounding hygiene.
In the video, which appears to be part of a collaboration with the dog food subscription service Butternut Box, Pattison is seen outdoors engaging with her black Labrador. “I can’t help it,” she remarks to a friend, who jokingly refers to her as “Gammy.” The lighthearted exchange continues, with Pattison expressing that such interactions bring joy to their pets, adding, “And you know what? It makes them happy.”
While some viewers found the video amusing, many others were taken aback. Critics expressed worries about potential health risks associated with allowing dogs to lick human faces, particularly given where a dog’s tongue may have been. Comments ranged from “I love my dogs more than anything, but after seeing them licking their bits, I couldn’t” to “THAT IS FOUL — I don’t understand how people let their dogs lick their face… that tongue has been to horrible places.”
Concerns about the safety of such interactions have been raised by experts in veterinary medicine. Dr. Katrina Warren, a veterinarian, addressed the topic on Channel Nine’s Today Extra back in January 2023. She stated that while a dog’s saliva is “unlikely to cause issues” if a person has unbroken skin, there are risks if there are cuts or open sores. “Letting your dog lick your face, their saliva alone is unlikely to cause issues if you’ve got unbroken skin… but if you’ve got broken skin or if they’re getting their saliva across your mucus membranes, like in your mouth, that can transmit bacteria,” she explained.
Despite the backlash, Pattison has not publicly responded to the concerns raised by her audience. As of now, the video remains accessible on her social media page, continuing to generate discussions around the boundaries of pet affection and hygiene standards.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate among pet owners about the limits of canine affection and the implications for human health, revealing a divide between those who embrace such behaviors and those who strongly oppose them.
