You should post this in Kitchens as well.

I don't have cats, but this doesn't bother me. Good hand washing goes a long way.

Hand washing is always good while preparing food, of course, but I think the problem allowing cats on kitchen counters is the residue, germs, and hair that they can leave on the counters and then it transfers directly to food being prepared.

I admit, I'm another one who does a private little cringe whenever I see a cat on a counter or table. I don't sit bare-bummed on any food prep surfaces, and neither should cats be walking around on them with poopy litter paws. Hand washing certainly won't remove e coli (or God forbid, parasites if your cat goes outdoors) from your countertops, so unless a person is disinfecting their counters prior to cooking/prepping food every single time, they are really putting themselves at risk.

I don't have cats (or any pets), but I don't prepare food directly on my counters. I always use a plate or cutting board.

I feel pretty well the same way about purses on countertops or the table.
Wonder why you never see a picture of a dog on a counter or the eating table????

Have you noticed people who bring their dogs in some stores and let them ride in the shopping cart??!! I think it's disgusting. You may "love" your pet, but I don't and I don't want to use a cart that has had your dog's butt in it. Not too mention, someone will come behind them and put their child in the cart. I also don't want to stay in a hotel that allows someone to have their dog in the room either! I'd rather stay in a room that someone smoked in!

OK....sorry for the rant, but that is my pet peeve. I couldn't help myself! I rarely post on here, but this topic made me do it! Leave your pets at home where they can wipe their fannies on your things!

Oh and don't think for one minute I believe that your little "poochie" is a service dog! That was an excuse this obnoxious couple used when they brought their stinky dog in a bakery...of all places!

OK carry on.

Who cares whether a baby butt, dog butt or a purse last sat in the grocery cart? Your filet mignon or lettuce or tomato soup or whatever has a wrapping on it. Germs are everywhere.

In a grocery cart graywings? You mean you have actually seen a dog in a grocery cart? I was speaking of other stores, but that is even more disgusting. I also wasn't worried about the "baby butt" in the cart as much as it being a child that would be put in behind a dog. I don't know about you, but I certainly didn't want my child....as nasty as children can be with putting their hands in their mouth and all of that....licking on a cart that had not 5 minutes before had someone's dog in it.

No, I'm not a germophobe either. I just don't know how healthy your dog is and whether or not you have kept up with the deworming schedule like you should have.

So that is why I do care if you have had an animal in my shopping cart.

I'm with you, graywings.

I'll bet there are many more germs in a grocery store from people who don't wash their hands at appropriate times than from dogs.

I have seen dogs in carts in Target and Ross, both of which carry food items. And these were NOT service dogs. And yes, it does skeeve me out.

Non-problem ... I clean the counters BEFORE food prep starts and I use a cutting mat that is stored vertically so the cat's can't walk on it.

I'm a microbiologist by training, and it takes more than a cat on a countertop to get me worried. A church picnic with unrefrigerated foods sitting in the park? Now that worries me.

Oh there's plenty to skeeve us out if we think about it, but each of us has our special triggers. GF was saying they had hidden cameras in a grocery store and watching people sneeze all over the fruit and veggies, or wiping their noses and reaching to grab the stuff, etc. Always wash your fruit and veggies when you bring them home. Blecch.

And another one my old secretary told me about with hidden video cam....how many times in hotels they just wipe out the drinking glass with the same rags they use to clean the rest of the bathroom and put them back on the counter. Always wash the drinking glass in a hotel room before you use it!

When I was pregnant I knew about Toxoplasmosis, so I stayed away from the litter box. I think Tox. is common knowledge now.

But does this mean I have to tell Lizzie she can no longer drink out of the kitchen faucet? And I have to take away her glass of water next to the faucet in case no one is in there when she's thirsty? She refuses to drink out of the water bowl.

She's my sidekick. Loves to sit on the bar while I'm piddling in the kitchen.

But I'm like others, I don't prepare food on the counter, and I wash the counters all the time because of dust from living on a dirt road.

I guess I'm not too concerned since I've had cats and dogs my whole life.

Also, if you look carefully, many grocery stores have a box of wipes near the cart to wipe it down.

I'm with you on this one, lazygardens. Who here washes hands each time after touching a dog or a cat?

I've had cats for many, many years, and I'd let them go anywhere they wanted. I still do. One of them in particular likes to lie right next to my plate when I eat, which is fine with me. The only reason I'd ever dump them on the floor is that I wanted to use the counter, or to actually eat my dinner -- without a tail in my food. I don't worry much about germs - and I haven't had a serious illness since I was a kid.

I don't worry about diseases, but I don't like cats on counters. That's my space and it's off limits to them. If they want to climb they can get on their tree.

I wash my hands everytime I touch my cat. I also wash my hands after using the elliptical or other equipment at the gym, after going to the supermarket -- pretty much all day long there's handwashing going on. I've instilled the same habit in my kids. We use good ole' organic Dr. Bronners, no antibacterial anything. Hand sanitizer is not good for you, unless you're in a setting where you really can't get to soap and water. The Dr. Bronners liquid is so mild we can wash constantly without dryness. I've also read that in many cases, it's not even the soap that cleanses your hands but the force of the water that is pushing germs off the skin. So even a vigorous soapless scrub has benefits.

My cats aren't supposed to be on the counter or the kitchen table but they sneak up on there, btw. And I too only prepare food on a clean cutting board that is put away after each use.

That was an excuse this obnoxious couple used when they brought their stinky dog in a bakery...of all places!

I wouldn't suggest a trip to Paris for your next vacation. :)

Oakelyok,
She's my sidekick. Loves to sit on the bar while I'm piddling in the kitchen.

Er...um...we usually piddle in the bathroom!

Sorry, I couldn't resist!
;)

LOL, Annie. When I'm cooking or cleaning the sink, Lizzie sits in the kitchen windowsill.

Last night was funny though. We had take-out pizza for dinner, two boxes. I stored the pizza on a platter in the fridge and left the boxes next to the stove for me to take to the trash this morning.

I woke up around midnight to get a glass of water, and Lizzie was sound asleep on top of the boxes!

I do wash my hands after I brush or pet her, because I'll have an allergic reaction if I touch my lips or eyes and not wash.

When I had more than one cat, the kitchen counters were definitely off limits. But since I'm down to one, who's a girly girl, I love having her hang out with me. :)

But how can I say "no" to this?

For years and years I've used a spray bottle to train our cats. I start their training the day we bring them home and it doesn't take long before they get the idea. None of our animals have ever been allowed on the counters or above floor level in the kitchen, actually, the cat we have presently doesn't get on our furniture either. I just don't think it appropriate for cats to be where food is prepared no matter how cute we may think they are. Each of our animals has their own spot with their own bedding and that has to suffice.

I agree that sanitizer isn't healthy too, it breaks down your immune system, but I'm so glad that stores with carts now provide those handy wipes to clean the handles and seats with. Every little bit helps!