Do you allow your pets to go on kitchen tops?

[BloodyDisgrace]

Hello everyone. Do you have some strict rules re: kitchen tops/surfaces?

I'm afraid our 2 indoor cats go there, I wipe it (no detergent though). If we had kids I'd be more germ-aware and the cats won't be allowed, but we are probably some "slum people" :))

DH has an allergy to the younger cat, so both of them aren't allowed to the bedroom (he took some antihistamins at the beginning), but he lets them in when he gets up for work so they can sleep next to me for the next couple of hours. I de-fluff the bed and change the linen every 2 weeks.

But, all in all, the puss pretty much runs (and reigns in) the household. Here are the buggers:

No, it is unhealthy, grim and disgusting. Cats like other animals lick there bits then get onto the work service .... YUK

When I was at school I had a friend whose cats were not only allowed a free reign of the work tops, they were also allowed to lick the butter 🤢

We’re not friends any more

I can’t understand the bed sheets thing. You’re a ‘housewife’ so you have time to do it every fortnight? You should be doing it weekly if your cats are sleeping there. Yuk.

No, it's disgusting. They are trampling around in their litterbox and then walking all over the kitchen surface and dining table. I have friends who allow this and I will not eat from their house. I bring my own food.

And honestly, people who say cats don't listen just can't be bothered to keep on top of training them.

You’re a ‘housewife’ so you have time to do it every fortnight? You should be doing it weekly if your cats are sleeping there

It's only here on MN I see people who change bed linen weekly. I've been kind enough and took it as "just someone's else's opinion and a way to live", but I've had enough and will say what I really think: I'm just not that anal or OCD, and I have interests (for example, might want to read a book instead).

My cats weren't allowed on the kitchen sides, but still did it. At one point we used to come down in the morning and find one of the cats sleeping on the kitchen table! He got a row, but was supremely unmoved. Just make sure your hygiene is good.

It does make me laugh that people are horrified about thier cats “licking bumholes, then themselves” and sitting on the counter, but have no qualms with stroking them, letting the snuggle up to them etc. Do you wash your hands after every interaction with the cat? I bet it’s few and far between.

OP good in you for saying what you really think. I agree with you and I find it strange that so many people on MN feel so strongly about how often other people change their bed linen.

Your cats are beautiful.

freshstart24 - thank you for the kind words :) yeah, I'm interested in what people think but it's not the same as their opinions determining what I do.

RavenLG - yes, I do wash my hands very often, that's what my parents drummed into me from early age as we always had cats.

LittleCandle - cheeky puss that was :) I was looking after my friend's cats once and found one of them stretched in the sun on a chopping board in the kitchen.