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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's fine to let the dog lick plates in the dishwasher?

401 replies

Randomtasks · 14/12/2020 17:12

Dog is only a puppy so it's only just become an issue but he likes to lick the dirty plates etc that I've put in the dishwasher.

It doesn't bother me at all, they are getting washed after all but DH tells me it's rather gross. Is it?!

I'd normally ask my mum this kind of thing as she's shit hot on manners but her dogs have always done a dishwasher pre wash!

OP posts:
sparticuscaticus · 14/12/2020 17:20

Not a dog owner so this grosses me out. Don't have a problem with dog licking / finishing off the odd plate of gravy meat that you put down, but prewash from dog chops on all your plates, would make me think ewwww. Dishwasher will definitely clean and sterilise it but it's living with thought that your dog is licking all your plates that bothers me.

LimpidPools · 14/12/2020 17:21

People are not going to like this Grin

Personally, I wouldn't allow it, because I draw a firm line between "dog food" and "people food" - People food is only to be received, never taken and it's not given from plates/the table either (to discourage begging).

However I have a small and relatively biddable terrier, not a labrador.

So from a hygiene point of view I wouldn't care, but I'd be wary of encouraging a thieving dog.

Cattybumbum · 14/12/2020 17:21

I don't think it matters in terms of hygiene, the dishwasher is an effective steriliser at high temperature.
I would be worried that dog might get a luck of something that makes him very ill. Thinking of my dishwasher particularly at this time of year is full of crumbs of raisins, melted chocolate etc.

WiddlinDiddlin · 14/12/2020 17:21

Dog pre-wash is standard in this house if the food was dog-safe to start with... but we don't have a dishwasher and we do have a washer-upper who likes to leave stuff to pile up before he does the dishes so it saves stuff getting all dried on and hard to wash off.

(When he does do the washing up hes good and he rinses everything in very hot water after the soapy wash so that it dries quickly so I am not worried there!)

ekidmxcl · 14/12/2020 17:21

I wouldn’t get upset about the hygiene aspect of it, I’d worry my dog would like a bit of onion, garlic, chocolate etc or cut his tongue/face on a knife, or damage the dishwasher putting too much weight on the door.

sueelleker · 14/12/2020 17:22

Mine does it when he can get away with it, but it's not something I encourage; apart from anything else, the food remnants might be something toxic to dogs (onions etc) Hygiene-wise it doesn't bother me, as the dishwasher gets hot enough to destroy any germs.

Somebodyotherthanme · 14/12/2020 17:22

@HitthatroadJack

I wouldn't.

I am quite strict on teaching my dogs not to eat any food than their diner given by us (more or less successfully...)
plus a dog used to go in the dishwasher is a nightmare when you are taking them with friends or family.

Start as you mean to go on...
plus some of the food really is not recommended for dogs

I don't really think it's a good habit to get into. Not very good dog management/behaviour training imo.
RumJerrySailorRum · 14/12/2020 17:22

Our dog is allowed to lick some crockery clean.....usually the steak pie dish!!

And we don't have a dishwasher, just my marigolds and fairy liquid!!!

(On a side note, magic dog licks on cuts etc Work too!!)

MaskingForIt · 14/12/2020 17:23

We don’t have a dishwasher but our dogs do a “pre-wash” of meaty trays, goosefat roast pans, cream tubs etc. Saves having to deal with the fat in any other way!

We don’t do it in company though!

Everything gets washed up anyway, and we seem to have fair robust digestive systems. I used to think that a few germs did you good, but I admit I am changing that a little in light of Coronavirus!

LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 14/12/2020 17:23

all of our dogs have done it...they are not really allowed, so they pretend not to do it and I pretend not to see.

I worry about sharp things and unsuitable morsels, not germs.

bluebluezoo · 14/12/2020 17:24

When they’re actually in the dishwasher?

No, because that’s weird. Generally the door is shut or closed to anyway or you trip over it.

Before it goes in the dishwasher? Yep. Dog bowls go in too, which apparently some people think is disgusting, but then I’ve seen some people put toilet seat in the dishwasher, which is a bit out of my comfort zone...

OrigamiPenguinArmy · 14/12/2020 17:24

It’s not a good habit to let him get into, some human food is toxic to dogs even in small amounts.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 14/12/2020 17:24

It gets properly wash after🤷🏻
This is why we always washed on high temp when we had pets. When we had suitable meals for them, they got leftovers on the dirty plate. Also our cat used to invade dishwasher after we emptied it and regused to come out for some reason. No idea what he liekd in there.
However, they knew well not to go after plates unless they were goven to them so it wasn't an issue in general.
Don't forget though, that you are on a website where some people wash towels after each use😁

KeithLeMonde · 14/12/2020 17:26

My friend's dog does this. If you get a cup of tea in their house it always smells noticeably of dog Envy

Noidontwantmootard · 14/12/2020 17:26

Gross is understating it.
This is the reason I don’t eat food other people make at home. Grim.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 14/12/2020 17:26

I've just realised he gets into the dishwasher (reading comprehension fail). No. He could injure himself.

LimpidPools · 14/12/2020 17:27

Ha, cross post about the labrador MerchantOfVenom

bluebluezoo · 14/12/2020 17:28

Also our cat used to invade dishwasher after we emptied it and regused to come out for some reason. No idea what he liekd in there

It’s warm?

Noidontwantmootard · 14/12/2020 17:28

I need to go and be sick from hearing the manky ways on here.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 14/12/2020 17:28

No it's disgusting.

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 14/12/2020 17:29

If you put the plate on the dog shelf the dog is going to lick it; if you don't then the dog can't get at it to lick, unless the dog gets into the dishwasher. So it really is up to you to shut the dishwasher door.

HotSince63 · 14/12/2020 17:30

As well as licking the plates in the dishwasher...

Given the opportunity my dog will steal a pair of my knickers out of the washing basket and spend a happy few minutes licking the gusset until someone notices what he's doing and takes them off him.

MedusasBadHairDay · 14/12/2020 17:30

I wouldn't, just because I wouldn't want them to learn it's always ok to lick things in a dishwasher, don't want them also licking plates when you are trying to unload the clean stuff.

BadTattoosAndSmellLikeBooze · 14/12/2020 17:31

Our dogs do try but I worry that they’ll eat something that makes them poorly so I do stop them. They love it when they get chance though.
Everything gets washed, dog bowls go in the dishwasher with our stuff which I know some people don’t like. You can’t be too precious about hygiene when you have animals really.

2bazookas · 14/12/2020 17:31

Its gross. Absolutely disgusting.

Also, some foods commonly eaten by humans are toxic to dogs.

Your puppy needs to learn (and be taught) that some things he would like to do are off-limits and Not Allowed.