Dog/Pet Helping Wash Dirty Dishes (Lick)
By PageTurner
@PageTurner (2825)
United States
June 26, 2012 3:15pm CST
Recently, Mrs. Turner and I were dinner guests of someone from work. The meal was quite enjoyable.
After the meal, our hosts were tidying the kitchen and washing the dishes. Mrs. Turner and I offered to help, but they insisted that they had everything under control. They added that they had help from their dear dog, Rufus.
As I looked on in horror, their dog, Rufus, was gleefully licking clean all of the dirty dishes!! Plates, saucers, pots, pans, even long-stemmed glasses proved no match for Rufus and his dextereous tongue.
Although I am a dog lover, I found this quite disconcerting.
How about you? Do you accept dish washing help from your pets, whether dog, cat, iguana, ferret, etc.?
Have you experienced something like what Mrs. Turner and I experienced? How did it make you feel to see the animule eagerly helping their master at this task?
If you knew that the dishes upon which your meal sat had previously been washed by the tongue of an animal, either domesticated or wild, would it make any difference on how your meal?
4 people like this
25 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
26 Jun 12
Honestly if I were to have just witnessed that after eating, I'd probably be alright... Until I thought "did they clean those dishes AFTER letting the dog lick the plate?"
I mean, okay sure let a dog lick off the scraps and such from a plate, but THOROUGHLY wash it afterwards.
In the past we've given a dog a plate to eat off of that was one of our regular plates, but we THOROUGHLY cleaned the plate before letting a human touch it again.
5 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
I suspect that this is very common, SomeCowgirl.
2 people like this
@psychoartist (756)
• United States
26 Jun 12
i don't know pageturner, i have read or heard somewhere that dog's mouths are less germy than human mouths...i do find this hard to believe however!
3 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
I have always heard this as well. I did some investigating on that matter, and read that, in fact, a dog's mouth is less germy when attending to its own wounds than a humans mouth would be if it were to give a human / self first aid.
2 people like this
@suzzy3 (8341)
•
26 Jun 12
A dog is full of germs.My daughter lab will eat other dogs poop,horse poo.I think it is cats that have saliva which can heal themselves not humans.My daughters dog also licks other dogs bums ,I certainly would not eat anything that had been licked by a dog.By the way I love dogs.
3 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
You make some excellent points, suzzy3. Did you know that a cat's bite is especially dangerous to humans? Because of their saliva.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92711)
• United States
26 Jun 12
I am concerned about what my dog eats. But if I have say a tiny bit of spaghetti sauce, and I mean TINY (because the spices could upset her tummy), I let her lick it off. She never touches my pots, pans, or silverware. But if I have a little milk left in my cereal bowl - she gets to lick it up. I figure if the dishwasher doesn't do it's job right - dog germs are the least of my problem.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92711)
• United States
26 Jun 12
I considered that. But to be honest, if I didn't have a dishwasher I would buy paper plates, paper cups...I just don't trust myself to get them clean enough. I mean how many times does the rag go in the soapy water before the soap isn't really getting anything off anymore. It might be expesnive, but I'm pretty sure that would be what I'd do. My grandmother HAS a dishwasher, but still washes everything by hand.
2 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
You make a good point about the dishwasher working properly, AmbiePam. Of course, not all people have a dishwasher.
My dog really likes left over cereal milk as well. I think it's because of the sugar.
Peace
1 person likes this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
My father was like that with a dishwasher, and in the last place we lived, we have a dishwasher yet still preferred to wash things by hand. Of course, we usually just have pots and pans to wash, as we use paper plates because it seems more economical.
We're doing some renovating and we don't plan to add a dishwasher. There are only two of us, and it takes no time to wash things.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
26 Jun 12
I am a dog lover, but I don't let our dog lick the plates. I let him lick the containers if we buy take away and I let him eat the rest of the food in other situations where don't plan on keeping the containers, but I don't want him to lick our own plates. We are going to use them again and our guests are going to use them so when our dog gets the leftovers we use his own bowl. I have friend who let their dog do the same thing as you experienced. The children in that family are also allowed to share their icecream with the dog. They don't give the dog the last bit of icecream, no the child licks the icecream, then the dog licks the icream and then the child licks the icecream again. I think that is disgusting.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Jun 12
oh gross sharing the ice cream after seeing what dogs lick,oh
my my tummy muscles are tightening just thinking about that.
I know once when I was little my dog licked my ice cream and my dad gave it to the dog and got me a clean one.once you have seen dogs licking some disgusting things and places you wou ld never share food with a dog. lord thats horrid.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
27 Jun 12
Yes, that is gross 
I almost didn't believe my eyes when I saw that they let the child and the dog share the same ice cream. Maybe the child doesn't understand that it is a bad thing to do, but I think that the parents should stop the child. I definately wouldn't let my child and my dog share the same ice cream.
I almost didn't believe my eyes when I saw that they let the child and the dog share the same ice cream. Maybe the child doesn't understand that it is a bad thing to do, but I think that the parents should stop the child. I definately wouldn't let my child and my dog share the same ice cream.1 person likes this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
I am of the same feeling as you about the dogs, Porcospino. I am a huge dog lover. I have always had a dog in the family, and I have one now, but there are limits.
As to the children sharing the ice cream with the dog. I will probably have nightmares tonight.
1 person likes this
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
26 Jun 12
My two dogs always licking their plates and they did very well because they can clean up there plates using their tongue, but after that I still washed there plates for personal hygiene. I will never allow my pet to clean our plates because its improper. I love my dogs very well but even though they are still animals and we are human. If we allow our pet to licked or plates were risking our health.
2 people like this
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
27 Jun 12
I have 2 years old boy pug(puggy) and 1 1/2 girl maltese (snow white). I miss them so much because I am not able to bring them here in our unit because as building policy no pets allowed. But my sister and nephew taking care of them very well. I am going to visit them next week and bring them some food and new clothes.
2 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
I am so glad that you get to see them regularly. I bet they miss you and are so happy to see you! It is good of your sister and nephew to care for them. Your pups sound real cute.
Peace!
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
Yes, indeed, Bhebelen14.
What kind of dogs do you have? Have you had them long?
@shansavy (171)
• Jamaica
26 Jun 12
even if i was going to wash them again after the dog was done with them i still wouldn't feel comfortable eating out of those dishes. i think knowing that a dog liked a plate i ate from would have he thinking less of a good meal. i dont even like dogs in my house let alone my kitchen.
2 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
Hello shansavy
I am a lover of dogs, but I found this disturbing and I couldn't help but wonder just how clean were the dishes from which I had just eaten.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
27 Jun 12
I think it is not goo for the dog. Dog's saliva is many times cleaner than our own, is antiseptic and has healing properties, however unless the crockery is then placed in a dishwasher there maybe a potential health risk as there would be eating of a plate licked by a human
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
27 Jun 12
Well, when I was travelling in Scotland a pier collapsed beneath my feet and was miraculously spared horrendous injuries being left only bruised and a deep cut on my left hand and a right thumb that was bent back so it didn't work for a while. Now, as I drove with my left hand on the gear lever, my dog licked my cut hand which healed unbelievably quickly, so perhaps there is more in the old myth than we know
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
I regret that I neglected to specify that the dog licking was a pre-wash, urbandekay. I admit I thought this was assumed.
As I have always been curious about the healing properties of a dog's saliva, I did a little research into it a few years ago. I learned that a dog's saliva is, indeed, antiseptic and healing, but only to itself, and that the same antiseptic qualities are not useful were a dog to lick a human's wounds.
Peace
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
27 Jun 12
personally I don't see anything wrong with that as long as the dishes are washed after. dog's mouths are surprisingly clean. I do know some people are appauled at such behavior.
1 person likes this
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
27 Jun 12
lol yes. he is being much less annoying now. I guess we all have our annoying little habbits at times.
good thing the dogs contribution was a prewash otherwise I would be grossed out a bit.
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
Hello ladybug565
I have always heard that dogs mouths are very clean. And yes, the dog's contribution represented the pre-wash.
Have you figured out how to deal with that pesky son-in-law?
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
Good to hear abou the son-in-law. I don't mean to appear immodest, but I feel a bit affirmed since I just know that my bucket treatment idea is probably the reason for his attitude change.
Peace :)
@albto_568 (1268)
• Costa Rica
27 Jun 12
All that comes to my mind is..."Are you being serious????" 
I am a dog lover too, but I wouldn´t let my dogs to get close to my meals, or the plates I or my family will eat, this is antihigienic, and I don´t think that most people would do something like this, no matter how much love for dogs they have, this is something hard to believe for me.
I am a dog lover too, but I wouldn´t let my dogs to get close to my meals, or the plates I or my family will eat, this is antihigienic, and I don´t think that most people would do something like this, no matter how much love for dogs they have, this is something hard to believe for me. 2 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
Unfortunately, albto_568, I am being serious. Even as a dog lover, this incident didn't geehaw with me.
Peace!
@suzzy3 (8341)
•
26 Jun 12
Oh my goodness .Dogs carry germs which can be harmful to humans.I love dogs but this is just to much to take on board.Tell me they went through a dishwasher afterwards please.I think I might always be busy when they invite me again.This is so awful you have made me laugh in disbelief.I am lost for words.Which takes a lot beleave me.
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
Oh yes, I apologize for leaving out that the dog was doing the pre-wash and that the dishes were going into the dishwasher. Even that way, I found it rather upsetting.
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
26 Jun 12
That's precious! I wish my cat would wash the dishes. Instead, she meows at me and bugs me while I'm doing the dishes. I don't think I'd be horribly grossed out. I would hope that the dishes would be rinsed and soaped before getting put away or used again, but if the critters want to lick the plates clean of scraps I think that's fine. It feeds the critter and gets a number of the food cleared away already! Then it doesn't have to get wasted going down the sink or anything.2 people like this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
26 Jun 12
I don't like to waste food either, allyoftherain. Many of my pets have benefitted from this philosophy.
Peace :)
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
6 Jul 12
hi dear PageTurner I would be disgusted as well knowing that the dog or kitty first washed the dishes.
I dont have a dog or cat ( I am a cat person and would like to give a cat a home someday), but I guess I would even wash the cat dishes separately from ours.
1 person likes this
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
7 Jul 12
LOL LOL LOL dear PageTurner just thought about this discussion a moment ago. We had dinner and it was brats seasoned with jalapenos. I have to admit I licked my plate clean tonight and thought poor Rufus he would have run for water had he licked that spicy mess clean
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
7 Jul 12
Thanks for sharing, RitterSport. I hadn't seen you in awhile, so it's good to know you are still around.
Yes, I found it a bit disgusting. Even though I love animules, this still bothered. Especially as my imagination is usually even worse than reality.
Peace
@Suebee (2013)
• Canada
28 Jun 12
To be honest PageTurner, it wouldn't bother me in the least. When I had a dog I didn't mind at all if it licked the plates after we were done. Of course I always washed the dishes after the dog was done licking them.
I don't currently have a dog, just 3 cats now and they don't seem to have the same interest in licking the plates as my dog did.
1 person likes this
@Suebee (2013)
• Canada
29 Jun 12
Actually, I used to be afraid of cats...a fear of my mother's that she passed on to me. Then, when my kids were small, they wanted a cat so bad that I caved. I thought that maybe if I got it as a kitten I'd be ok with it. Well, turned out I LOVED having a cat.
When my kids got to be a little older and got heavily into playing hockey, we found we were just gone too much to have a dog. We'd leave the house at 6 am and not get home till midnight some days and the dog just couldn't stay in that long, nor could it stay outside that long. Then we'd have out-of-town hockey tournaments on the weekends and would be gone for the whole weekend, leaving Friday night and returning late Sunday night. We couldn't take the dogs with us but we couldn't leave them home either.
Cats are much easier...they go in their litter box, so we became cat owners instead. I still love dogs and would really like to get another one someday but I don't have room for one right now.
1 person likes this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
29 Jun 12
You truly are a dog lover to sacrifice not having a dog because it would be a difficult lifestyle for them under those conditions. Cats are much better suited for your lifestyle. I'm glad that you're not afraid of them any more. :)
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
28 Jun 12
What caused you to go from having a dog, to no dogs and only cats?
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Jun 12
hi pageturner ugh gross. I think if I had ate a meal and found out the dishes had all been slobbered on by the pet dog I would be
heaving my guts out.,Yuck if one has seen some of the stuff
dogs a
nd cats put in their mouths, you would never let them
clean a dish.That is just gross and unsanitary too. I would love
to see the germ count on those plates.yes plates cleaned by a pets tongue would make me gag and maybe up chuck too.I know I would never ever go back to that person's home to eat again ever. 
nd cats put in their mouths, you would never let them
clean a dish.That is just gross and unsanitary too. I would love
to see the germ count on those plates.yes plates cleaned by a pets tongue would make me gag and maybe up chuck too.I know I would never ever go back to that person's home to eat again ever. @PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
Yes, I won't be eating there again. Nor will I eat any home cooked meals or treats that they may offer away from home.
It would be interesting to do a germ swab on a plate which a dog has licked and on a plate a human has licked.
Peace, Hatley
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
27 Jun 12
I am afraid that I would have had a hard time keeping down what I had ate if I had been in that position. I would not allow any sort of pet to lick our dishes. I think it is a bit on the disgusting side. My aunt use to do this constantly with their dogs. My Mama and Daddy always declined eating with them unless they were grilling out and using plastic plates. They never went to the extreme of letting their dogs lick the silverware and the glasses though. Usually it was always the plates that my aunt let the dog lick clean. Gives me geebees thinking about it.
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
28 Jun 12
They are very smart. I give you kudos for being able to stay calm and not make a scene when it happened.
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
It is a good thing you weren't present to see what I saw, Shallyann36. It was vile and disgusting beyond all standards of human decency.
Your Mama and Daddy sound like very smart folk.
Peace :)
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
1 Jul 12
That happened to us once when I was little and we were visiting family in Florida. I thought my grandfather was going to fall out right there. He swore to never eat there again.
I am not one to let the pets help with the washing of the dishes. I might scrap off a little something for them in their bowl, but we wash the rest of them in the sink. I don't know if, perhaps, my grandfather's reaction had an influence or if it was just something that I would have taken on my own. I love my pets very very much...that's why they have their very own bowls
He swore to never eat there again.
I am not one to let the pets help with the washing of the dishes. I might scrap off a little something for them in their bowl, but we wash the rest of them in the sink. I don't know if, perhaps, my grandfather's reaction had an influence or if it was just something that I would have taken on my own. I love my pets very very much...that's why they have their very own bowls1 person likes this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
2 Jul 12
Of course I don't know your grandfather, but I can imagine my own grandfather's face if he had been faced with the same thing, and it would have been an expression of incredulousness. :)
@thewonderboy (7501)
• India
27 Jun 12
I have a cat with me. I love it and i have a good time with it . Till now i did not make my cat to clean the plates because i feel it is very strange and it can cause us to have illness. Sometimes their mouth contains germs which can cause us to put on our bed.
1 person likes this
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
27 Jun 12
Hello, thewonderboy :)
Please be careful with the saliva of your cat as this can be very harmful to humans. Cat bites are very bad for humans because of their saliva.
That said, I am glad to hear that you have a feline companion. What is your cat's name?
Peace
@garavegeta (963)
• Kochi, India
27 Jun 12
Its ok to eat from a plate licked by your cat,after washing it.You have to clean up those food crumps before you put your dishes in the washer right?...so why don't you let your cat do the dirty work.
But cats eat rats sometimes,so it would have parasites in its mouth.So dogs are the better option,if its a pet dog.Don't let them hang around with stray dogs,though they might carry rabies Virus,equally harmful to you and your dog.
@neopersia99 (13)
• Mexico
27 Jun 12
Well HOPEFULLY it was a pre wash and they put them in the dishwasher.....then I wouldn't care.But if that was the only wash....yuck!
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
2 Jul 12
I certainly hope that the dishes from which I ate my meal weren't covered in puppy spit, too, minmin45!
