Reply to Old cat - let on counters? (more lifestyle than pet question)

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[quote=Anonymous]Where Have Your Paws Been, Miss Kitty?
As a veterinarian, it’s my job to tell you what home practices are unhealthy — for you and your pets. That would include allowing your cat on the counter as well as kissing your dog on the mouth. But look, I’ve already admitted that I kiss my dogs, even though I graciously concede that I shouldn’t. I will also admit that it’s not logical that I have no problem kissing dogs (and cats, if they’ll let me!), but I don’t want cats on my kitchen counter.

Cats keep themselves pretty clean — much cleaner than dogs. But they’re still using those paws in the litterbox, and walking around on them too, which raises the potential that they're picking up dangerous germs and bacteria and tracking them across your kitchen counters. You are putting yourself at risk by letting your cat walk the countertops. But you know what? You can minimize the possibility of disease pretty easily.

How? Wipe your counters well with an antibacterial agent before you prepare food, and I wouldn’t worry too much about those cat tracks. Of course, even if your cat never sets foot on the counters, you're probably wiping them clean before you prepare food and following safe food-preparation rules anyway. Right?

If, like me, you can’t stand the idea of a cat on the counter, then don’t allow it. But if you're OK with your cats wandering across your kitchen island, then cover your bases and protect yourself from zoonotic diseases with a clean sponge, soap and hot water.

Like I always say, “Lose the risk, keep the pet.”

http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/is-it-safe-for-cats-to-be-on-the-counter

I use Clorox clean ups constantly on counters and bleach/water after before “heavy” food prep.[/quote]

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