In a viral TikTok video, a dog owner claimed that if you stop your pup from licking you, it will feel rejected and its heart will break a little. So Newsweek asked a veterinarian if this was true.

The post shared, earlier in December under the username @theodog12340, shows the dog owner allowing their coton de Tuléar/Yorkshire mix to lick them because they could "never break his little heart" by asking him to stop.

While licking you is a way for a dog to bond and promotes affection, stopping it will not compromise your relationship.

Liza Cahn, a veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, told Newsweek your pup may be persistent in trying to lick you but won't get offended if you take steps to prevent this.

"This may include providing them with plenty of enrichment to help prevent boredom and anxiety; redirecting them, like giving them a command and then rewarding them; ignoring them and moving away; and rewarding them with treats and attention for interacting with you in other ways," she said.

Cahn said a disease from your dog licking you is rare, but its mouth contains over 700 species of bacteria, some of which can be harmful to humans, including Capnocytophaga canimorsus and pasteurella.

"They can also spread bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, especially if they eat a raw food diet. Lastly, topical medications or lotions applied to your face could be harmful if ingested by your dog during licking," Cahn said.

So if you're not comfortable with your pup licking you, especially on the face, you can gently redirect its attention without feeling guilty.

If the licking is excessive, a new behavior or accompanied by signs of illness, there could be a medical cause for this behavior. If so, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with a vet as soon as possible.

"Other causes of licking include attention-seeking, grooming and self-soothing due to anxiety or stress. In many cases, your dog may simply like the taste. Rarely, excessive licking could be a sign of a medical condition known as pica, in which nonfood items are ingested," Cahn said.

There are many other ways in which you can show your pup love, according to the American Kennel Club. You can spend extra quality time with it or book some training classes together.

Keeping the pet healthy and happy is also a way to show your love. Lastly, you can buy your pup a new present, like a favorite treat or a squeaky toy.

The video quickly went viral on social media and has received over 1.7 million views and 156,000 likes.

One user, Erlx1n, commented: "It's so cute, but they won't stop until you stop them."

Maggie Porobich said: "My dog does this with my husband. I just can't handle the feeling."

Marie wrote: "I'm sorry but it tickles too much and not in a good or funny way. I cannot stand it for too long."

Newsweek reached out to @theodog12340 for comment via TikTok comments and could not verify the details of the case.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.