Letting your dog lick your plate or cup after you’ve finished...

[Aberforthsgoat]

Is this a normal thing?! I’m prepared to get flamed as I haven’t been a dog owner for a long time, but definitely didn’t do that.
I was on a video call with a family member and they were drinking coffee. There was a bit left in the cup and she held it down for the dog to lick up, then did the same with her breakfast plate.
I found it a bit gross 😳 but then wondered if it’s just a normal dog owner thing that I’m unaware of!
It just seems unhygienic? But then I guess if things are going in the dishwasher afterwards maybe not!
I’ve seen people give their pets scraps from dinner etc of course just never actually seen them licking the cup or plate!

I’m only asking because I think I AM being unreasonable in being a bit taken aback, and am curious as to how common it is!

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Our dogs used to eat grapes and cherries and atuff like that. Bastards kept harvesting it before we got to it🤦 Smart and fast. I saw mine actually standing on little raised wall to reach the bloody cherries! He lived till very good age of 18. Considering he was highly malnourished 8 week old when he was found abandoned and so carried some health implications from that, not bad. I think he just built up an immunity to the toxins😂

My old German Shepherd used to pick brambles. He was so gentle, didn't want the stems, just took the fruit. Stopped him whenever we could because he had no off switch but it was amazing to see.

Of course I let pets lick plates...saves on the washing up.

@Nottherealslimshady

My immediate reaction is that its gross, but you are washing it afterwards anyway.

We sometimes give our dog our leftovers but she is never ever allowed to eat off our plates. It's not for the hygiene but for boundaries, this is mine, under no circumstances do you touch it.

It prevents dominance issues or snatching with food and stops her eating dangerous things.

I totally agree with this. They can get quite grabby around food and then the owners go mad because the dog is misbehaving 🙄 Spaniels are really bad for this so absolutely no food sharing. Far too many overweight pets around .

@MostTacticalNameChange it is amazing to watch them being creative with harvest. My parents told me that I used to sit under one apple tree with the dog in the autum and race for the apples which fell. He loved them! Well, half of each, other half he left😂 Same with ALL veg in the garden...
Also walnuts. There was simply no way to stop them with all the trees spread out.
Amazing harvesters. Good guards too. I do miss them all often.

@DillonPanthersTexas

You know you can't own a toilet brush and be a true mumsnetter

Pfffft...... I let the workman use the toilet brush

You let workmen use your loo?

We let our dog 'pre wash' plates sometimes but it goes in the very hot dishwasher afterwards and wouldn't dream of letting him do it to the guest plates

Oh and re boundaries, plates that are not offered to him are off limits, to be given the chance to pre wash or be offered human food he has to be lying down quietly and not begging. Works well for us and we don't have any guarding or grabby behaviour, just a dog that spends a lot of time lying down in the hope of good things happening

Dog owner & nut here. Cleanliness aside its a big no from me. Plates are for humans, bowls are for dogs. Unless it’s cooked meat (no sauce, seasoning or marinade) or plain dog safe veggies, they shouldn’t be having it anyways. Even then it needs to be left awhile so the dog doesn’t associate it with human meals. Let alone cups of tea or coffee!! So unhealthy for them. It’s bad enough trying to stop mine scavenging unhealthy street treats, let alone polishing off the human plates too!