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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:
MummaMummaMumma · 03/09/2025 14:22

Errr you know they lick their bums, right?! So not only will they have spread germs, but also worms! Gross yo consider this.

primnproper1 · 03/09/2025 14:22

LOL, I made myself a fried egg toast the other day and in the few moments that I went to get something else, my beloved cat licked the yolk. I ate the rest. 😹

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 03/09/2025 14:17

I remember my mum making a load of fairy cakes and icing them, leaving them on the worktop and the cat came along and licked the icing off every single cake (it was buttercream, which was probably why). I can't remember whether we ate the cakes anyway now! But my daughter used to grab food off her cat and run away and eat it, and she's still with us over thirty years later, so it might give you the ick to think about but it probably wouldn't be fatal.

HiGunny · 03/09/2025 14:13

Not a hope I'd eat it. My cat regularly munches on mice and rats so don't fancy those germs thank you very much 🤢

LittleGreenDragons · 03/09/2025 14:09

Honest answer - depends if it's my cat or not. But I wouldn't eat the area they've licked just the rest of it.

A family cat who doesn't sit on your lap or bed, or nuzzles, would be classed the same as a neighbours or friends cat and I would throw it away. I would already be contaminated by my own cat's germs so would eat most of it.

MrsR87 · 03/09/2025 14:05

Nope, I couldn’t eat it. I’ve seen the things my cat licks 😳

Lifeinthepit · 03/09/2025 14:03

I'm actually really chilled about this sort of thing usually. Ie I remember laughing at the thread where people were going nuts about eating from a plate that had been licked by a dog and then been in the dishwasher because (apparently) china can absorb dogshit or something. But on reflection I wouldn't eat food that a dog or cat had licked.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 03/09/2025 13:58

I wouldn't eat it and as punishment for the cat I would have one of their tins of Whiskas - and I would make sure they could see me eat it.

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 03/09/2025 13:57

I would have just cut off the licked bit and ate the rest. My cat licked the edge of a cake once, I wasn't going to throw the whole thing away, I'd only just baked it 😂

Tam285 · 03/09/2025 13:55

On the small chance that the cat isn't regularly wormed and does actually have thread worms, the eggs would be nuked in the microwave and you'd be fine as long as it was piping hot.
I'd eat it tbh.

Catinabeanbag · 03/09/2025 13:44

Depends on how much licking / eating has taken place. If I think they've been in it a while (I've turned away to get something, for example) then no, I'd cut the corner off. If it was just one or two licks before I caught them then yes, I'd eat it (and have done so several times with no effects). We have indoor cats though, so that probably cuts down some of the stuff they can eat / get into. I'm more worried by what's in/under their claws than their mouths.
I figure its not all that much different from someone else having prepared food for you and not having washed their hands properly (for example).

CoffeeCantata · 03/09/2025 13:42

LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:15

Ok. I'll bin it . I'm so glad I wasn't looking forward to it 😁 it was a reluctant lunch choice

The idea is horrible. Cats in particular...they lick their backsides.

AdaColeman · 03/09/2025 13:35

I can't believe so many people would eat food a cat had licked!
What difference would it make if it were your own cat? The food will still taste of cat's arse!

MummyMIH · 03/09/2025 13:32

Nope absolutely not 🤮
I have two cats and try my best to keep
them away from the worktops, they are quite well behaved but if they ever jump on the worktops I get the antibacterial spray out immediately.

CurlewKate · 03/09/2025 13:26

My mother once retrieved a whole salmon from the cat, cooked it and served it to us and guests…..

Stoufer · 03/09/2025 13:26

LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:22

Oh really 😯 🤢

Show quote history

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

Original poster
LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:22

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

Oh really 😯 🤢

OP posts:
minipie · 03/09/2025 13:22

LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:17

Not my cat!!!

Show quote history

Oh not your cat! In that case bin definitely, you’ve no idea what it’s got.

PullingOutHair123 · 03/09/2025 13:22

TheFluffiestCat · 03/09/2025 13:20

If it was my cat, yes. Someone else’s cat, gross. 🤮 Irrational, I know.

Same. Irrational though it is.

Although it's probably no worse then dropping something on the floor and then eating it (5 second rule).

ladybirdsanchez · 03/09/2025 13:21

Cats' mouths are full of horrible bacteria that can make you really unwell (note 'can', of course there are instances where food has been shared with a cat to no ill effect). Ditto dogs, for all those who enjoy 'doggie kisses'. Bleugh! Cats lick their bums, dogs do too. Do you want cat or dog shit bacteria in your food?

TheFluffiestCat · 03/09/2025 13:20

If it was my cat, yes. Someone else’s cat, gross. 🤮 Irrational, I know.

ohyesido · 03/09/2025 13:19

Yuk chuck it.

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)

Limth · 03/09/2025 13:19

LeeshaPaper · 03/09/2025 13:17

Not my cat!!!

Show quote history

Then bin it.

Use it as an excuse to have a lunch you actually want get an Uber eats delivered

Rightandwrong · 03/09/2025 13:18

I couldn't eat it.

I have a friend with multiple cats and they are allowed up on the counter tops in the kitchen and are allowed to lick the plates after meals are finished. I love cats but it actually turns my stomach and I can't eat in her house at all.