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Original poster

Would you eat food a cat licked?

111 replies

LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:12

I had the food out I was going to reheat from last night for my lunch. I wasn't particularly looking forward to it but waste not want not etc. I turned around to see the cat up on the counter eating/licking the food. I had only turned my back for a second so I'm fairly sure it was only one corner.
Should I throw the whole lot out or just eat the but that's probably safe?
Yabu : yuck throw the whole lot away
Yanbu : meh it's probably fine to eat most of it

OP posts:
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SecretRoses45 · 05/09/2025 11:02

Stoufer · 03/09/2025 13:19

If you did eat it, you’d need to stock up with Ovex (threadworm treatment) for the whole family!
(edited for typo)

Edited

Thread worms my arse!! Excuse the pun 🤣
Roundworm and tape worm are found in cats!
Cats don’t get threadworm. Threadworm are a human parasite.

2dogsandabudgie · 05/09/2025 10:50

GettingFestiveNow · 05/09/2025 07:11

Friend of mines boyfriend used to let his cat up on kitchen worktops etc. Friend caught toxoplasmosis and was extremely ill for months, including weeks in hospital. Friend lost nearly 3 stone - but she was five foot nothing and slender to start with.

I don't have cats.

It's very rare to be that ill from Toxoplasmosis. Most people who get it don't even know and once you've had it you are immune.

It's dangerous for pregnant women as it can affect the foetus which is why they advise pregnant women not to empty litter trays.

SeagullSam2027 · 05/09/2025 10:28

Howmanycatsistoomany · 05/09/2025 10:18

Calm down @SeagullSam2027 bleach is a thing 😂Mine are much more interested in snoozing in their beds on the floor next to the Aga than jumping onto the countertops. We never leave food out. I've honestly not seen any of them attempt to jump onto the countertops since they were kittens.

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They're filthy creatures that stink. 😁

Howmanycatsistoomany · 05/09/2025 10:18

SeagullSam2027 · 03/09/2025 17:57

And plant their disgusting, moist, germ-ridden butt holes on the work surfaces no doubt.

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Calm down @SeagullSam2027 bleach is a thing 😂Mine are much more interested in snoozing in their beds on the floor next to the Aga than jumping onto the countertops. We never leave food out. I've honestly not seen any of them attempt to jump onto the countertops since they were kittens.

CeciliaDuckiePond · 05/09/2025 07:34

I probably have done accidentally but not intentionally. If it was possible, I'd cut the bit off that had been licked by the cat. Cats' mouths are full of germs, hence you need to see a doctor ASAP if bitten by one. Fortunately my cats are polite and wait till I've finished before making any move to lick the leftovers.

Cabinqueen · 05/09/2025 07:31

Now it's a hard no from me, but when I was a toddler apparently I had no bother eating worms and beetles so don't listen to me...😋😂

Gettingbysomehow · 05/09/2025 07:27

My cats are wormed vaccinated and deflead regularly and my house is clean. As long as the food was hoing to be cooked thoroughly afterwards, but then my cats have never attempted to eat human food, they prefer dead mouse and cat foods.
I've had multiple cats for 40 years as has my DS and neither of us have ever had worms.

GettingFestiveNow · 05/09/2025 07:11

Friend of mines boyfriend used to let his cat up on kitchen worktops etc. Friend caught toxoplasmosis and was extremely ill for months, including weeks in hospital. Friend lost nearly 3 stone - but she was five foot nothing and slender to start with.

I don't have cats.

AJLOAL · 05/09/2025 07:07

BluebellWoods78 · 03/09/2025 13:15

DD did it as a toddler and survived with no ill effects. Turned my back for one second and now I am forever traumatised by ‘look mummy, DCat and I are sharing ice cream’ 😭🤣 Taking it in turns - one lick for her and one lick for him. At least she was being kind😬

Edited

🤣

Billybea · 05/09/2025 07:02

Cats are very clean and lick their arses after going in the tray .... need I say more!

TheCheekyCyanHelper · 05/09/2025 05:44

LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:22

Oh really 😯 🤢

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No, they are a talking bs.

tartyflette · 05/09/2025 00:55

We have a friend who is tight as arseholes somewhat frugal and absolutely abhors food waste. So his partner had some leftovers, chicken, I think, that he put down for their cat. The cat ate some but then decided he'd had enough.
Our friend scooped it up and ate the lot.

RightOnTheEdge · 05/09/2025 00:22

I love cats but absolutely not 🤢
I probably would have done the same as Bikergran though 🤣

saltandvinegarchipsticks · 05/09/2025 00:13

I love my cats but absolutely not!

YeOldeGreyhound · 05/09/2025 00:07

I would cut the licked bit off. It makes no sense to bin the rest.

When I turned 40, I had a party and of course my dog was there. Someone cut themselves a piece of cake, and whilst they were carrying it, she managed to lick it. They cut themselves another piece, and I ate the licked piece. I am still here many years later.

OneSharpFinch · 04/09/2025 23:59

No chance as my cats will happily gut a mouse and I never prepare food directly on the work surfaces just in case...

Sleepy90 · 04/09/2025 23:53

Just eat it, I get woken up by mine drooling into my mouth atleast once a month. Haven't started growing any whiskers yet.

CrostaDiPizza · 04/09/2025 23:05

jmh740 · 04/09/2025 18:08

My husband often does, I dont tell him though lol

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If he dies, we'll tell the Bizzies.

Original poster
LeeshaPaper · 04/09/2025 23:01

jmh740 · 04/09/2025 18:08

My husband often does, I dont tell him though lol

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🤣

OP posts:
jmh740 · 04/09/2025 18:08

LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:12

I had the food out I was going to reheat from last night for my lunch. I wasn't particularly looking forward to it but waste not want not etc. I turned around to see the cat up on the counter eating/licking the food. I had only turned my back for a second so I'm fairly sure it was only one corner.
Should I throw the whole lot out or just eat the but that's probably safe?
Yabu : yuck throw the whole lot away
Yanbu : meh it's probably fine to eat most of it

My husband often does, I dont tell him though lol

MontysMum909 · 04/09/2025 17:52

The worst cold I ever had was when Alfie the cat sneezed in my tea and I forgot then drank it - bin it!!

Gonksmum · 04/09/2025 17:22

I've eaten loads of stuff my cat has licked a part of - just cut off the bit they licked! Not my cat, no chance!

Hairshare · 04/09/2025 17:20

Bikergran · 04/09/2025 17:12

Confession time. Many years ago, back in the days of formal dinner parties, we had husband's senior partner and wife to dinner. Dessert was put out on a trolley in the cool dining room before guests arrived. On checking last-minute, I discovered the cat had sneaked in and licked a large bare patch on the side of the elaborate cream-covered gateau I had made earlier. With only minutes to spare before they arrived...........I took a knife and spread some of the rest of the cream over, then turned that bit to the back. I did mark where it was, so that bit didn't get eaten, I hasten to add. The meal was a great success......😂

Anyone with sense would have done that. No point in depriving those diners of that lovely cake.

Hairshare · 04/09/2025 17:19

I'd cut away the bit you saw being licked and then skim off the top layer before eating it. I'm pretty sure my cat and I share germs in all kinds of ways, and anyway I'd be more likely to catch a bug from another human, so wouldn't be too worried.

HRTQueen · 04/09/2025 17:17

yes I would

I would break/scrape off the area my cat licked and heat it up. I am sure the microwave will kill off any possible germs

My cat is so adorable she couldn't possibly have any nasty germs and I accept she likes to share my food