Family argument sparked over dogs licking plates after dinner

A family dinner has resulted in friction after a woman was accused of an “unhygienic” act following the meal.

The woman explained on Mumsnet she hosted her family for “roast dinner” for Easter.

It was attended by all seven of her grand children, three step-children, their partners and children.

The family enjoyed a lovely day, including an Easter egg hunt in the garden, breakfast in a local farm shop and walking the woman’s dog before sitting down for dinner.

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After the meal, she “put the plates & general pots & pans down for the dog to lick”.

She says her daughter-in-law “lost the plot”, labelling the act “so unhygienic”.

“I assured her that they would be going into the dishwasher on a high temperature – about 90c so would be sterilised,” the mother-in-law explained, adding she “always” lets her dog pre-wash her plates as “it’s going into the dishwasher at high temp to be sterilised so [there’s] no problem”.

Her daughter-in-law wasn’t calmed by her explanation, declaring she would “never” let her children eat at the house again.

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She then left “in a huff” along with her husband and children.

It appears the daughter-in-law is married to the woman’s stepson, who later sent his father a text “apologising but saying what can he do as has to support his wife”.

She said she understands her stepson has to support his wife, but wonders if it is OK to let her dog lick the plates ahead of going in the dishwasher.

Mumsnet followers are equally divided when it comes to this issue.

“No, dogs licking plates isn’t going to kill anyone. Just apologise and next time they’re round scrape left overs into the dog bowl. They don’t need to know what you do the rest of the time,” one commented.

“It wouldn’t bother me – as you say they are going to be washed, and dog saliva will wash off much easier than, say, oils and fats that the food might contain or be cooked in – so there’s no hygiene issue,” another reasoned.

“However, some people would have a massive issue with it – and for that reason if I was you, I would wait until guests had gone until doing it,” one comment read.

Others agreed it wasn’t an issue but repeated the suggestion she refrain from letting her dog do this in front of guests.

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“I’m a dog person and have occasionally allowed dog to do this but never in front of guests. It’s a bit gross even though logic tells you it’ll be cleaned,” one said.

Others were firmly against the practice.

“Why?? Just scrape it into the dogs bowl. Takes 2 secs,” one said.

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“Disgusting. Could not eat in your house ever again,” added another.

Another commented: “You’re right, the dishwasher will obliterate any germs at that temperature. It’s absolutely fine germ-wise. They say you can actually put a toilet brush in a dishwasher, I have not done this myself but there we are.

“Social acceptance-wise I can see how someone might find this a bit low but [your daughter-in-law] totally overacted.”

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“It won’t kill anyone and yes the plates are going to be washed at high temp but I wouldn’t do it and I have pretty low standards. I don’t wash the dog bowls in the dishwasher either,” another said.

“It’s disgusting. My MIL does this too. Makes me want to vomit,” added another.

One person questioned the dishwasher’s ability to completely sterlise the plates.

“Anyone who thinks a dishwasher won’t obliterate anything that came from the dog’s mouth is plain daft,” they said.

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