Pets and Hygiene

peachyprice

My cats are allowed everywhere, their favorite passtime is opening the door when OH is on the toilet. Most of them sleep on our bed during the day, with the dog, but I do put a bedspread over the bed so that our sheets don't get hairy.

Dog sleeps downstairs at night, but that's only because he stomps over me all night trying to get as close as possible if I let hm come upstairs.

I don't mind the cats licking, not that they do much, only if there's something tasty on me, dog does the occasional little lick on the end of my nose when we're staring lovingly into each other's eyes, which is ok.

The thing I really hate, that really turns my stomach, is when my mum's chihuahua licks, his tongue feels like a piece of liver slapping against your skin and he has a thing for licking feet, which I cannot stand, and your chin, which isn't quite so bad. But the feet licking really sends me over the edge.

zaxdog

Our animals all sleep on/in the bed with us especially in the winter and we end up in a pile of flannel jammies and fur. :j

geri1965_2

My cats are allowed everywhere in the house apart from the kitchen work surfaces. I've never seen them on them so it's not really an issue. I wouldn't put food on them without cleaning them first anyway.

One of them is very licky so if she has licked my hands I will wash them afterwards, she doesn't do it very often to me but she licks OH all the time (especially his head, LOL)

MrsNorthman

Im the dog licking thread starter, that sounds wrong, its the dog thats a licker not me thats a dog licker.

Anyway as you can guess, I cant stand dogs licking, with having allergies anyway a dog lick makes me come out in a itchy rash, so I always have to wash my hands whenever I touch the dog, in fact im quite obsessive with washing my hands since having kids, I wash them after changing nappys, toilet (obviously), before and after touching food, touching bins, picking something off the floor, reading this im actually surprised Im not just stood washing them all day.

The dog isnt allowed upstairs, purely because he is a moulter, he's moulted for months now and it drives me insane so I like to have a part of the house thats dog free, he's not allowed on furniture and would never ever be allowed on the bed, the thought of it makes my skin crawl, eeek, its just the thought of relaxing on the bed when the dogs bits could've touched where I am, (the dogs lipstick is always sticking out so it could happen) urgh.

I probably shouldnt have a dog, but if it wasnt for me, he wouldnt get fed and watered, brushed etc, you know how it is when you get a pet and the kids promise to do everything, then you end up doing it all, well the same applies with husbands too. So I cant be all bad.

SavingPennies_2

Mrs Northman - Thanks for your imput, it wasnt a criticism of you in any way so please dont take it as such, I was just interested. I have had OCD several years ago but these days I would consider myself to have "normal" levels of cleanliness if that makes sense! It was one of my concerns before getting a cat as I really wanted one but knew I would struggle with the cleanliness issue. I do think it has helped me a lot and Im not so paranoid now which is a good thing as rationally there are far more hurtful things out there than eating after stroking a pet or letting the cat on the bed. I do think the pleasure I get from her cuddles and company outweighs the risk.

coinxoperated

Oh god doggy hygiene is not my speciality!!! I kiss him, snuggle him, fuss him and... blow raspberrys on his little budda belly!

I sometimes think I may need help, or a baby! Haha!

murrayfan_2

Our two cats sleep on the beds and go anywhere they want to really. I do discourage them from the worktops in the kitchen because I don't want them getting hurt. One of them sleeps on the kitchen table quite often and although I don't mind, I do wipe it over with antibacterial spray before we eat on it.

I've always lived with animals, had dogs for years before and worked with horses aswell as various other critters. I've always shared hugs, kisses and food with them. Me and my horse Seamus used to pass polos to each other mouth-to-mouth . I do always wash my hands after stroking animals though, because their dander sets off my skin dermatitis if I touch my face afterwards without washing.

I believe most animals are pretty clean. The thing I do object to is one of my cats bringing his mice into my bedroom and then crunching them up whole .

I think having pets in the home has helped my son get over his fear of dirt and germs really.