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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:
Arlanymor · 04/09/2025 17:14

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......😂

Provided no one died and you didn’t subsequently move to Australia and make ‘Mushroom Wellington’ then this is a great story! And probably deserves its own thread of ‘near misses at dinner!’

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......😂

Arlanymor · 04/09/2025 17:08

Baby26 · 03/09/2025 18:56

My cats know that they aren't allowed on the countertops but they jump up there when they think they are being sneaky. Have caught them on occasion and they immediately jump down. How exactly do you train them? As mine clearly know they aren't allowed, but like children, that doesn't mean they won't try to not get caught!

People shouldn't worry about eating at my home though, I do disinfect the countertops before any food will be prepared directly on it! Surely that's basic cleanliness in any home.

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Foil - works a treat I promise!

soupyspoon · 04/09/2025 16:23

I showed the cat this thread

She said she is disgusted that some cats will eat things that humans have touched or nibbled.

She did that retching motion.

I thought it a bit dramatic.

Goldengirl123 · 04/09/2025 10:03

No I wouldn’t

Baby26 · 03/09/2025 18:56

Arlanymor · 03/09/2025 15:17

No - I love cats - but no.

I never understand why people let their cats up on the countertops either - not saying you did this at all by the way, not even your cat right?!

But all of our cats know it's a massive 'no no', so being on the countertop AND licking food would have them in disgrace for the rest of the day.

Sounds like a Deliveroo is in order @LeeshaPaper ?!

My cats know that they aren't allowed on the countertops but they jump up there when they think they are being sneaky. Have caught them on occasion and they immediately jump down. How exactly do you train them? As mine clearly know they aren't allowed, but like children, that doesn't mean they won't try to not get caught!

People shouldn't worry about eating at my home though, I do disinfect the countertops before any food will be prepared directly on it! Surely that's basic cleanliness in any home.

Baby26 · 03/09/2025 18:50

Stoufer · 03/09/2025 13:26

Yes, definitely! Same with dogs.. threadworm eggs are barely visible, and cats are always licking their rear-ends.. and when one person has them, they rampage through the rest of the family

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But threadworms are host-specific from what I've always read🤔

ConnieHeart · 03/09/2025 18:45

sanityisamyth · 03/09/2025 15:27

Absolutely no way. Horrible creatures.

Strange comment. You're unlikely to have a cat in your house then

I kiss my cats frequently and my immune system is super strong. I'd just cut off the bit I think they'd licked & eat the rest (or justify chucking it away if I really didn't fancy it)

DoAWheelie · 03/09/2025 18:35

I have a very food motivated cat who can be very snatchy. He's grabbed my steak or chicken breast of my plate a fair few times and usually manages at least a chip or similar most meal times (he's very very stealthy).

I usually just cut off the bit he touched and carry on or I'd never get a full meal. I do try and lock him out at mealtimes but he's learned the signs and hides behind furniture I can't move when he senses cooking now.

Greenfinch7 · 03/09/2025 18:27

You can’t get threadworms from a cat. I don’t mind sharing food with my cat.

WhatAboutTheOtherOne · 03/09/2025 18:23

Lifestooshort71 · 03/09/2025 17:58

Presumably those horrified at the very thought of it don't let their dogs lick their faces, sleep on their beds etc?

Letting dogs lick your face or sit on furniture or beds is equally gross.

Arlanymor · 03/09/2025 18:03

soupyspoon · 03/09/2025 17:52

Youve trained them not to jump on the worktops in your eye line

I can guarantee they do it when you're not around

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It's possible of course - but weird that in 21 years of cat ownership they've not been caught out once. I honestly doubt they do - one is too lazy, one is too old, and the third one never needed training in the first place because he just wasn't interested.

Gonk123 · 03/09/2025 17:59

JohnTheRevelator · 03/09/2025 17:01

🤢 Cats lick their bums.

It’ll just add to the flavour 😂

Gonk123 · 03/09/2025 17:59

Get it eaten lols…I used to share ice creams with my dog 😂…I know gross but I am still here to tell the tale!

Lifestooshort71 · 03/09/2025 17:58

Presumably those horrified at the very thought of it don't let their dogs lick their faces, sleep on their beds etc?

SeagullSam2027 · 03/09/2025 17:57

soupyspoon · 03/09/2025 17:52

Youve trained them not to jump on the worktops in your eye line

I can guarantee they do it when you're not around

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

soupyspoon · 03/09/2025 17:52

Arlanymor · 03/09/2025 15:56

Yeah like I said - not your cat! They haven't trained it then. You can train cats not to jump on countertops - we used to put down foil when they were little. We also trained one of cats to use the cat flap with a system of steps (where when he got used to the steps we would take one away - we used patio slabs) and Dreamies - he jumps in and out of it no problem now, it was when they first moved into their home and the cat flap was higher in the door than the one he was used to.

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Youve trained them not to jump on the worktops in your eye line

I can guarantee they do it when you're not around

soupyspoon · 03/09/2025 17:50

Yes I have done, half gnawed cake and a bit of licked butter

As with others though only my own cat and actually only one of them, the other one for some reason I wouldnt

Also cats are almost never 'allowed' on worktops. Cats dont follow rules though.

TubeScreamer · 03/09/2025 17:46

Not a chance

i was the only one who didn’t eat a turkey that MIL’s cat had licked one Christmas and also the only one who didn’t go down with food poisoning,

cupfinalchaos · 03/09/2025 17:10

Might’ve just eaten a delicious spider.

Complet · 03/09/2025 17:04

Unbeknownst to me I shared my bedtime water glass with my cat for years. Woke up in the middle of the night with the cat drinking out of it on the nightstand. I’d never ever seen them get up there before. I changed it to bottle after that, but I’ve lived to tell the tale!

JohnTheRevelator · 03/09/2025 17:01

🤢 Cats lick their bums.

Pricelessadvice · 03/09/2025 16:48

HostaCentral · 03/09/2025 16:07

Goodness, I feel really outnumbered..... Arthur is known to lick the top of the butter it is left open on the counter. I just scrape the top off. I'm not going to throw away a whole tub of butter, just because of a bit of cat lick.

Never caught anything nasty .....

Don’t worry, I share food with my cat and kiss her on the lips. I haven’t died yet!

GrinchoftheNorth · 03/09/2025 16:20

Someone else's cat - no. My own indoor cat who gets wormed even though he never ventures out - yes. I'm often woken up by him licking my face so wouldn't make much difference

Ohmygodthepain · 03/09/2025 16:18

Cats have incredible levels of germs in their mouths. Mental.

That said, if I could safely hack off the cat-licked bits, or spoon those off (clean spoon for each go) yeah I'd probs eat it.