To believe feeding pets off plates is a tad unhygienic

[zignzag]

Ok so I was house sitting and dog sitting lately. The dog a beautiful golden retriever is much loved and treated like another member of the family, which is to be admired. My kids were with me, who are used to visiting and staying in this house a good bit. Anyway after dinner I went to clear off plates into refuse bin when my little says ..."just let the plates down on the floor and the dog will clean them off" ! This happens after meals it appears. I'm not a fanatic about hygiene and I love my pets but is leaving them lick the plates clean a bit much?

I know some people will see nothing wrong and I know houses where cats are fed on counter tops in utility rooms etc but I think pets should not be fed around worktops or off plates

[LtEveDallas]

Oh well Zig, in that case I'm even more confused - I mean, if they wash the plates afterwards, what on earth is the problem?

I'm not being sarcastic, I really don't get it?

[echt]

OP, YANBU about the plates, unless you seriously believe that all people wash their hands after using the lavatory.

[zignzag]

Ltevedallas ... Never said they put dog locked plates back in press, don't know where you picked that up from.

[theodorakisses]

As I said up thread, my darling dog died from eating human food that he stole. It is so important to remember that, an onion rich curry may mean, like me, you will never forgive yourself.

[LtEveDallas]

Seriously, a child said to you that the dog licks the plates and from that you have decided that the dog licks them and its owners put them back in the cupboard? Are you barking? (arf!)

Dog licks plates, plates then get washed (dishwasher or by hand). No saliva left on them, no diseases, nothing to worry about (actually dog saliva is cleaner than human saliva, so....)

[LimburgseVlaai]

Sorry meant to say 'any suitable scraps'.

[LimburgseVlaai]

I wouldn't let cats/dogs do it, not so much for hygiene reasons (dishwasher) but because a) human food is not always good for animals - they might get ill or too fat; and b) because we don't want cats/dogs begging for food. Any scraps get scraped off the plates/pans and saved up for their 'proper' breakfast/dinner.

[theodorakisses]

Dogs face licking is a big no no in our house. we have too many and I know they secretly dig up cat shit as a hobby.

[theodorakisses]

When I was picking up Pitbullpup (Carrot) to bring home, I stopped for a Hardee's burger (do you get those in the UK, they are lush). Anyway, I was chatting to a mate next to me in the traffic jam and then realised he had nibbled and slobbered on it while I wasn't looking. A U turn and another drive thru would have added at least an hour on my journey so I ate it anyway. I'm still alive although anxiously watching him for signs of disease!

[Emilythornesbff]

I will only eat at home or at zignzag's place now. Decided.

[Emilythornesbff]

Gross.
Why not just clear the plate into the dog's dish?
Yuck.

[zignzag]

Well I've learnt from this thread to ask the next house I visit if their dog has eaten off the same plate, or better still bring my own plates, cups etc

Would it acceptable to ask? Would you be insulted if a guest asked if the dog had eaten off the plates? Because I seriously do not want to share utensils with a cat, dog or similar!

[thebody]

My cats stalk us for cereal and milk.
They finish off our fish.

I wash plates properly and put in dishwasher.

There's no health risks here its just preference like hating sprouts or liking Mark White..

My little cat sleeps with us as well.

So there.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I wouldn't be bothered unless they thought the dog licking the plate meant they were now clean and put them back in the cupboard. That would be incredibly disgusting.

[KellyElly]

If you wash your plates properly frankly it wouldn't matter if you had a shit on your plate. If you use antibacterial washing up liquid and clean it thoroughly it will be good as new the next time you come to use it.

[Sparklingbrook]

I don't like it when dogs lick people's faces, and that's similar.

[pud1]

my dog has just pre washed our Sunday lunch. his favourite is the gravy pan.

[patienceisvirtuous]

In my defence my cat is indoors only - and I wash and disinfect the worktops without fail before use :-)

[LittleChimneyDroppings]

Gross. I'm sure the dishwasher does get them clean enough, but I still couldn't do it.

[Sparklingbrook]

We need to see the figures for dog/cat germ related illnesses as a direct result of plate licking. How many a year I wonder?

[SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker]

yeah cats on countertops gross me out, but licking plates before going through the dishwasher, nah.

[5hounds]

My dogs do, iv also been known to share my ice cream with them :D

[DoctorAnge]

That is so disgusting

[Dawndonna]

If the dishwasher, on a hot wash is good enough to sterilise a baby bottle, it's hot enough to clean a plate that's been licked by an animal.