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Original poster

Dig licking plates before going into dishwasher - ick or not

907 replies

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 21/04/2025 15:11

Have have hosted a lovely Easter BH Monday for all 7 GC, 3 step children, partners & children. We had an Easter egg hunt in garden, had breakfast in local farm shop & walked my lovely little dog around, petted animals etc.

For context I need to say that DSS & DIL are both British, but live in USA.

After a roast dinner I put the plates & general pots & pans down for the dog to lick. My DIL lost the plot saying that was so unhygienic I assured her that they would be going into the dishwasher on a high temperature - about 90c so would be sterilised. I always let the dog pre-wash my plates as consider it's going into the dishwasher at high temp to be sterilised so no problem.

DIL saying she will never let her children eat at my house again & gone-taken her DH & DC off in an huff.

DH has had a text from his son apologising but saying what can he do as has to support his wife. I totally get that. But....

My question is - is it OK to let dog lick out the plates etc when they are going into dishwasher at a high temp? WWUD?

OP posts:
thevassal · 27/04/2025 11:48

CatA27 · 26/04/2025 22:16

Of course it happened, the polar responses on here show that!

Show quote history

exactly, the worst thing about this thread isn't that OP did it herself, but that so many people think it's fine
I highly doubt I know OP so could judge from afar, now I'm going to be wary of accepting a cup of tea from anyone I know who owns a dog 🤮

Setyoufree · 27/04/2025 09:46

Massive dog fan but that is absolutely gross. Scrape food into their bowl if you insist but no tongues on human plates 🤢

Mothership4two · 27/04/2025 09:43

But I'm sure you understand that most people wouldn't and why?

SensibleGranny · 27/04/2025 09:29

Gloriia · 26/04/2025 19:38

Yes we've established its probably clean enough, it's just the optics isn't it. Would you eat your dinner from the dog's bowl even if it was fresh out of the dish washer? Probably not.

Animals shouldn't use our pots amd plates, it's just basic hygiene and social etiquette.

Show quote history

Optics not a problem. Our Labrador's job is to pre wash our plates and dishes. She waits to do it and yes, I would eat from the dog bowl after it had been through the dishwasher.

ShyLimeTiger · 27/04/2025 08:48

I’d be horrified. Even if you do this, to do in front of people when hosting is awful! It’s really gross.

elfendom · 27/04/2025 01:44

@KnickerFolder it does sound like you are preaching from google. So many incorrect things written, don't know where to start.

I am fairly sure the primary mode of transmission from dogs to humans is bites or contact of dog saliva with broken skin

Lookup modes of transmission and stop pretending to know what you are talking about. Lookup dormancy, serotypes of the bacteria you mentioned, other bacteria not mentioned, biofilms, dishwasher temperatures, replication rates etc.

The simple thing is why bother doing it if there is a risk, not to mention the dog thinking it's ok to eat off human plates.

WandaWomblesaurusWonka · 27/04/2025 01:33

Sorry but that’s absolutely disgusting.

elfendom · 27/04/2025 01:25

Cantthinkofagoodnametoday · 22/04/2025 14:19

The dishwasher will kill any germs but honestly it’s a bit socially inept of you to do this in front of guests. Some things should remain private.

But it won't kill any germs, it will kill some germs, would you put a small baby's bottle in a dishwasher 😉

Mossey55 · 27/04/2025 01:12

Omg that is gross

Pupinskipops · 26/04/2025 22:30

Totally fine. That's what dish-washing is for!

CatA27 · 26/04/2025 22:16

WorkItUpYourBangle · 26/04/2025 20:10

First of all this is a bait post and didn't happen. If I'm wrong, then you're a dirty manky git and I'm glad someone finally told you.

Of course it happened, the polar responses on here show that!

Coco1379 · 26/04/2025 22:08

I’d not want to eat at your house!

CinnamonBuns67 · 26/04/2025 21:46

It wouldn't bother me, after all it's going in the dishwasher and will be very clean by next use.

Gustavo77 · 26/04/2025 21:25

Of course it's ok, she needs to give her head a wobble and stop being so precious. Dogs deserve plates to lick!

Gardenservant · 26/04/2025 21:16

viques · 21/04/2025 15:51

I think it’s grim, which surprised me a bit because I always wash the cats dishes in the dishwasher which is pretty much the same thing.

I also wash the cat bowls in the dishwasher. My cat is a very dainty eater and does not lick the bowl. Cats are much cleaner than dogs.

Gardenservant · 26/04/2025 21:02

A dog's tongue is its toilet paper! I feel sick when I see people let their dog lick their face. The plates would be clean with hot water and strong detergent but it is psychological. Americans can be hyper hygienic but her behaviour was extremely rude.

Iammatrix · 26/04/2025 20:51

WorkItUpYourBangle · 26/04/2025 20:10

First of all this is a bait post and didn't happen. If I'm wrong, then you're a dirty manky git and I'm glad someone finally told you.

Course it did! have you read the whole thread?

OP originally tried to blame the disdain of her DIL being American. Sort of…!

WorkItUpYourBangle · 26/04/2025 20:10

First of all this is a bait post and didn't happen. If I'm wrong, then you're a dirty manky git and I'm glad someone finally told you.

JustFeedMeCake · 26/04/2025 20:07

YANBU. Oh please. The temperatures they reach in the dish washer will kill everything. I’d be glad not to have such ridiculous people at my house ever again.

Aulddeacon · 26/04/2025 20:05

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 21/04/2025 15:11

Have have hosted a lovely Easter BH Monday for all 7 GC, 3 step children, partners & children. We had an Easter egg hunt in garden, had breakfast in local farm shop & walked my lovely little dog around, petted animals etc.

For context I need to say that DSS & DIL are both British, but live in USA.

After a roast dinner I put the plates & general pots & pans down for the dog to lick. My DIL lost the plot saying that was so unhygienic I assured her that they would be going into the dishwasher on a high temperature - about 90c so would be sterilised. I always let the dog pre-wash my plates as consider it's going into the dishwasher at high temp to be sterilised so no problem.

DIL saying she will never let her children eat at my house again & gone-taken her DH & DC off in an huff.

DH has had a text from his son apologising but saying what can he do as has to support his wife. I totally get that. But....

My question is - is it OK to let dog lick out the plates etc when they are going into dishwasher at a high temp? WWUD?

Never get why a husband or wife has to support their other half if you think they are wrong surely you can say so

IzzyHandsIsMySpiritAnimal · 26/04/2025 19:51

I don't see the problem. The plates are washed and sterilised.
However, in future, I'd just not do this when guests were around, just to avoid this sort of nonsense.

lashy · 26/04/2025 19:47

Ick.
It may not kill anyone but I find it quite grim. By all means scrape leftovers into the dogs bowl, but allowing them to lick the plates is a step too far for me.

broney · 26/04/2025 19:43

How many of you, or your children, been made ill after being licked by a dog? None I expect.
Nothing wrong with dogs licking plates at all.

Gloriia · 26/04/2025 19:38

SensibleGranny · 26/04/2025 19:14

Absolutely fine. In an operating theatre the instruments used in the guts of one patient are then autoclaved and reused in the next patient.

Yes we've established its probably clean enough, it's just the optics isn't it. Would you eat your dinner from the dog's bowl even if it was fresh out of the dish washer? Probably not.

Animals shouldn't use our pots amd plates, it's just basic hygiene and social etiquette.

SensibleGranny · 26/04/2025 19:14

Absolutely fine. In an operating theatre the instruments used in the guts of one patient are then autoclaved and reused in the next patient.