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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To home bake with dogs?

105 replies

MrsJunglelow · 29/10/2020 19:00

I mean not literally with the dogs Hmm, but bake cakes to sell from my kitchen when I have a dog (and cat) in the house?

I make lovely cakes and a friend of mine is currently making a very good living from it and frankly, I want a bit of her success too!
I’m in a diddly terrace so not massive kitchen but if I feed the animals in the hallway and pop their water bowl out there too they have no need to ever enter the kitchen.

Is it possible or will environmental health immediately refuse it on hygiene grounds?

Anyone know please? 🙏

OP posts:
Em308 · 29/10/2020 20:04

I ran a home cake business, had all the appropriate healthy and safety certifications and had a cat and dog. My kitchen was spotless. The dog had a run in the garden and the cat was out all day. I had a separate utility room where all finished cakes were stored, again away from the pets. Why do people assume just because you have pets you have lower hygiene standards? I can't bear a dirty home, so I clean, it's very simple.

Original poster
MrsJunglelow · 29/10/2020 20:06

My only concern however is that you say it's a small house, and the hallway doesn't really feel like a far enough distance. You only have to open the door for a loo break, or to grab the door and release the animals into the kitchen... plus I expect it will be a NEVER enter the kitchen that you'll need, not 'only when I'm baking'
In theory you are absolutely right.
In practice though, the animals rarely enter the kitchen as it is.
The dog isn’t allowed in when I’m cooking anyway because she lies down next to me and I trip over her when I go to move.
They only tend to go in there to get a drink and eat dinner but I can easily move their bowls.
But I appreciate that a health inspector that doesn’t know me or my animals will probably have exactly the same concern re opening the door and then running in

OP posts:
Nikhedonia · 29/10/2020 20:22

@scoobydoo1971

I went to see a house I was thinking of buying a few years ago. A lady lived there with a cat and dog. She was preparing and decorating cakes as I viewed, and told me she ran a catering business for weddings etc. It must be possible and it was clean enough, but must be hard work to maintain the standards needed for professional work.
Did we view the same house? Was it absolutely filthy, with her also being a veterinary nurse? I'm sure all of those cakes got "extras" The thought of eating cakes from there makes me feel sick [boak]
Original poster
MrsJunglelow · 29/10/2020 20:25

Did we view the same house? Was it absolutely filthy, with her also being a veterinary nurse? I'm sure all of those cakes got "extras" The thought of eating cakes from there makes me feel sick
Mine’s super clean I promise!

OP posts:
Offtothedogs · 29/10/2020 20:28

I believe cats are generally seen as more of a problem as they're able to get up and walk around on surfaces, which dogs don't tend to do, so I think you'd have to prove the cat didn't have access to the kitchen.

Oysterbabe · 29/10/2020 20:30

I wouldn't buy from you. The cheese and dog hair sandwiches I had for lunch every day as a child still haunt me.

Flupibass · 29/10/2020 20:31

I’m sure you can talk to the food hygiene people and ask them what is required, mentioning your animals. I’m sure it can be done.

SidekickSally · 29/10/2020 20:31

There’s baking at home for your family with pets around and then there’s baking to sell. I wouldn’t expect any animals in a commercial kitchen or restaurant. There’s a lot online about setting up your own baking business from home including the certificates you need. They may specify that the baking area is separate from where animals go, am not sure.

Quillink · 29/10/2020 20:38

I wish you luck but would not be able to buy your products if there's a cat in the home. DH and DC are so allergic to cats that they can't go into cat owning households without instant reactions. Dread to think what ingesting an accidental stray cat hair might do. I think you should make it clear to customers that the food is prepared in a pet owning home, even when pets aren't allowed in the kitchen.

SuperCaliFragalistic · 29/10/2020 20:45

It would definitely put me off.

kikilo · 29/10/2020 20:47

As long as you produce a detailed document explaining how you will keep the animals out of the kitchen and how you will clean in preparation of your cooking you should be fine. Email your local environmental health officer at the council and they will help you understand what steps you will need to do. It is in their best interest to help you at the start of your journey. Lots of info on line. www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-a-food-business-from-home

Newfornow · 29/10/2020 20:53

Sounds like it’s doable, legally. Id not buy from a home baker with pets. Everyone I know with pets has different ideas about hygiene to me. When animals have been in a room the dander and smell lingers. No from me.

Purpledaisychain · 29/10/2020 20:54

The pearl clutching, animal hating mumsnetters may think that your circumstances make it impossible to get a hygeine certificate but it can be done.

Escapedgoats · 29/10/2020 20:59

I had my own cake business from home and a dog. Was inspected by the council and passed all the requirements. The dog was not allowed in the kitchen. It wasn't a problem at all.

DidoLamenting · 29/10/2020 21:00

@OverTheRainbow88

Wouldn’t put me off, but I’m a dog lover
Wouldn't put me off but I'm a cat lover and avid home baker with very low standards. I've never poisoned anyone but I'm sure my kitchen and standards would horrify many posters.
Original poster
MrsJunglelow · 29/10/2020 21:03

The pearl clutching, animal hating mumsnetters may think that your circumstances make it impossible to get a hygeine certificate but it can be done
It is certainly making me think it’s may well be a no go.
The vote certainly is very against it.
If the opinions here are in line with the wider British public I think it’s safe to say I probably won’t sell many cakes!
I know in theory I probably wouldn’t have to mention the animals, but in practice I definitely would because of allergies.

OP posts:
DidoLamenting · 29/10/2020 21:04

Why do people assume just because you have pets you have lower hygiene standards? I can't bear a dirty home, so I clean, it's very simple

To be fair almost every cat or doggy person I've ever known, including myself, does.

gingerbread88 · 29/10/2020 21:05

It wouldn't bother me

Smellbellina · 29/10/2020 21:07

My friend does she has a dog

Piffle11 · 29/10/2020 21:09

The thing is, if you had a the proper hygiene certificate, would anybody actually ask if you had pets? It wouldn’t enter my head to do so.

Poshjock · 29/10/2020 21:22

@Piffle11

The thing is, if you had a the proper hygiene certificate, would anybody actually ask if you had pets? It wouldn’t enter my head to do so.
Exactly. A work colleague's daughter has a business making and selling cakes and cookies. She sells at the weekly market. Her cakes look and taste amazing and she sells out every week. I buy regularly and it has never occurred to me to consider where she bakes her cakes or if she's got pets.
teenagetantrums · 29/10/2020 21:22

My friend has 3cats and a food hygiene certificate. She makes fabulous cakes. It never occurred to me that pets would be a problem.

ThirstyGhost · 29/10/2020 21:25

There'll be a way to make this work. Be exciting if this works out! I found this just now: www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/threads/baking-from-home-with-a-pet.388140/

Witchcraftandhokum · 29/10/2020 21:27

I'm part of an online baking group where loads of people are professionals with the correct certification and have pets.

ForTheLoveOfHalloween · 29/10/2020 21:30

My friend has a cake making business and food hygiene certificate, she has a cat.
I don't see why not.