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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:
VintedVirginal · 21/04/2025 16:08

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 21/04/2025 16:01

OH CR@P HAVE I SET MN off!!!- am so sorry. Am going to partake in Mass for the soul of Pope Francis now so logging off for now. RIP Holy Father.

Well, that's good for you.
How convenient that religion has saved your day.

Mudkipper · 21/04/2025 16:07

For me it’s on a par with putting your loo brush in the dishwasher.

Jackrussellsaremad · 21/04/2025 16:07

Of course it's perfectly fine to let your dog clean the plates as long as there's nothing on them that's poisonous for them. At least you are putting them in the dishwasher afterwards (unlike my aunt according to my mum's suspicions...)

StarDolphins · 21/04/2025 16:07

Sorry I clicked yabu by mistake!

I have absolutely no problem at all with dogs licking plates before dishwasher! They’re being thoroughly washed!🤣

SnakesAndArrows · 21/04/2025 16:07

YourFairCyanReader · 21/04/2025 16:01

I agree. Not only would I never eat or drink at OP'house, I've just made a lifetime promise to myself to never eat or drink at any dog owners' house.
There is still bacteria in dishwashers, the filters get blocked with stuff and the same bacteria get swilled around with the water next time. It's not going to be spotlessly clean every time once it's been installed for a few months. But there's a difference between knowing there's a risk of food bacteria, and knowing there's particles of poo in there. Either the dog's own from cleaning itself, or the fox or cat poo it's eaten.
You're also messaging the dog that it's ok to lick human crockery, so they could be doing that any time you weren't watching and you wouldn't know.

Absolutely gross

Edited
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The bacteria living in dishwasher drains are the same kinds of bacteria that live in your sink, bath and shower drains. E. coli, for example, is quickly killed in the dishwasher.

faerietales · 21/04/2025 16:07

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest, but equally I wouldn't let my dogs lick the plates if we had guests as I know lots of people hate it.

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/04/2025 16:07

Strictlymad · 21/04/2025 16:04

Not a good habit for dog to be used to so much human food and utterly disgusting. Especially in front of guests!

Food is food. Dogs eat food. Dogs have been cleaning up after human dinners for around 40'000 years.

This distinction between 'dog food' and 'human food' is a human construct that dogs could not give a shit about. There are a few things that are toxic to dogs (chocolate, onions, large amounts of salt or sugar) but thats not likely to be an issue with them simply licking traces off a plate.

HearthLight · 21/04/2025 16:06

Martymcfly24 · 21/04/2025 16:00

Are we seriously comparing a child to an animal that licks its own bottom and could eat shit

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I mean, yes, absolutely...

Have you had small children recently?!

Love them greatly but they are absolute, filthy plague carriers if allowed to have a proper childhood!

This is a great question to ask people to see if they lead with fact and reason or their feelz, in my view. Forewarned is forearmed!

Nevertrustacop · 21/04/2025 16:06

VintedVirginal · 21/04/2025 15:57

Crockery and pans used for humans should not be used for animals as well.

It's simple.

Although the odds are that your dishwasher will clean them thoroughly, you can't be sure.

You can be absolutely sure

Magnastorm · 21/04/2025 16:06

I mean, hygenically it's fine, as long as the dishes are getting washed properly.

But.... if I were a guest and saw you doing that... it is a bit grim, and it would certainly make me wonder what other grim stuff is going on that I haven't noticed.

VintedVirginal · 21/04/2025 16:06

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 21/04/2025 16:04

No I put it on overnight at the highest setting as only dishwash every couple of days.

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90 isn't boiling point so it isn't sterilising.

AquaPeer · 21/04/2025 16:06

Whilst I agree that a 90c wash will kill the dog germs, I don’t understand your surprise that other people find this gross!

XenoBitch · 21/04/2025 16:05

Martymcfly24 · 21/04/2025 16:03

I have two and have taught them for 23 years .
I have yet to see one able to lick their own bottom.

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Their fingers get everywhere. My friend had a little boy, and she would be asking him why his fingers smelt "like bums"... because he was having a fiddle.
Or they stick their fingers up their nose and touch everything.
Kids are gross. Parents get ill from their own kids. You don't get ill from dogs.

letsnotIRL · 21/04/2025 16:05

This reminds me of the time I saw a waitress pour a full ashtray onto a dirty plate and said "they're going in the dishwasher anyway". I never went back to that cafe. I wouldn't eat at yours either. Regardless of hygiene, I think some things just shouldn't mix in life. Cutlery and unnecessary germs are one of them.

catsand · 21/04/2025 16:05

While I know logically that the dishwasher would clean everything I would still be disgusted seeing someone do this if I was visiting their house

godmum56 · 21/04/2025 16:05

Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 21/04/2025 16:01

OH CR@P HAVE I SET MN off!!!- am so sorry. Am going to partake in Mass for the soul of Pope Francis now so logging off for now. RIP Holy Father.

its ok, we were all sat here bored and now some of us have something to kick off about.....you have done a public service OP

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 21/04/2025 16:05

Oh that's disgusting. And you did it in front of guests who had just eaten off your plates too?! 🤮

FedupofArsenalgame · 21/04/2025 16:05

Martymcfly24 · 21/04/2025 16:00

Are we seriously comparing a child to an animal that licks its own bottom and could eat shit

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It's all germs. And human ones are more likeky to affect other humans.
small kids Dan also poke around their bottom / genitals then touch plates etc

Adult humans can give oral sex then eat, Saliva on the utensils along with traces of other fluids.

From a biological point of view I can't see why dishwasher would wash human germs but not dog ones

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/04/2025 16:05

Doggy pre-wash here too - we never have to soak stuff or send it round again, the dogs remove the traces of food, the dishwasher removes any traces of dog. Perfect solution.

Don't like it, don't eat at my house.

Pipsquiggle · 21/04/2025 16:05

I do this sometimes for my dog.

I did a food science degree, honestly, 99.9% of bacteria will be killed by the washing machine. No one has ever got ill.

Genevieva · 21/04/2025 16:04

My dog always licks the dish if there are nice surfaces to lick. I then either wash by hand or pop the dish in the dishwasher. I don’t see the difference between that and any other dish. How does she ever eat outside the home if she’s that fussy?

Nevertrustacop · 21/04/2025 16:04

It's absolutely fine. Anyone who objects for hygiene reasons is crazy. What the heck do think is going to happen? Seriously please tell us.

Strictlymad · 21/04/2025 16:04

Not a good habit for dog to be used to so much human food and utterly disgusting. Especially in front of guests!

Original poster
Happyspendingthedayinthegarden · 21/04/2025 16:04

101Nutella · 21/04/2025 16:02

I know in theory the dishwasher cleans things but it’s really grim standards in my opinion.
we have separate bowls for the dogs.

if I’m honest I’d wonder what other corners you cut and not want to eat at your house…but I get what you’re saying re dishwasher.
however are you always running it at 90 degree sterilisation ? Is the Celsius?

our normal run is 50 and you’re assuming maximum efficiency etc. it seems grim. Sorry!

No I put it on overnight at the highest setting as only dishwash every couple of days.

OP posts:
UndermyShoeJoe · 21/04/2025 16:03

It does also lead people to wonder what other things you do with food and hygiene they wouldn’t. It’s just a layer of hmmm.

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