Do you wash hands after petting your dog?

I don’t have dogs but I have a few friends that do. I’ve observed they don’t tend to wash hands after petting their dogs and can go on and eat or cuddle with their babies. I don’t feel comfortable around this behaviour and really on the edge when they come near my baby in this situation. Is it only me?
Like
Share Mobile
Share
  • Share

Show your support

I've never even thought about washing my hands after petting or playing with our dogs before playing with my 5 month old. Hell I don't even wash his pacifier if it falls on the floor, building that immune system. That being said, you have the right to ask them to wash their hands before touching your lo!

If you're not comfortable with it you can ask them to wash their hands first but it's usually good for kids to have a good immune system against germs antigens etc they will be around regularly like cats dogs as building immune system is important but more so in cases where pets are in a house so they can build a tolerance

It’s something I haven’t even thought about. In general, I’m washing my hands though out the day. But not just because I pet my dog. My dog lays on the same couch and bed that my baby does. He’s growing up in the house alongside our cats and dog. It’s just not necessary in my opinion. People who don’t have pets might not agree. But when you have pets, you automatically have a “dirtier” home than those without. And that’s something I accept lol. I keep a very clean home but I still have slobbery dog toys all over the place. I roomba daily but I still have animal hair in the corners. It just is what it is. Your baby is fine. Don’t stress it.

No I totally agree, I would expect anyone to wash to their hands prior to holding my child regardless of what they have been doing, I have never even had to ask all friends and family they just do it naturally. I think its a sign of respect I wouldn’t hold someones child without washing my hands first

If I washed my hands every time I petted my dog I’d have no skin left from washing them so often. My daughter is 8 months and tries to let our dog. I’m not going to wash her hands every time she touches him.

I'm obviously the odd one out here. I have two dogs and always wash my hands after petting them. I suppose it may sound excessive, but I don't want to touch my face, cook, or play with my baby with dog all over my hands. I guess I've just seen too much working in healthcare.

Yes, I wash my hands after petting my dog and my cat.

I’m commenting again because I did not fully read your post. I commented just briefly glancing at it. And I apologize!! My comment came off super rude and that’s not how I meant it at all. I was thinking you were concerned about petting your animal and then holding your child. You have every right to ask someone to wash their hands before touching your baby. Even if they didn’t pet an animal!!! I am washing my hands constantly through out the day because I’m always touching random things. I’m not concerned about my dog that lives in my house with my baby. But you can and should ask anyone to wash their hands before touching your baby if that makes you feel comfortable.

@Bailey i feel like im the odd one out here too. If I had a dog i would always wash my hands after petting him. I guess this is one of the main reasons why I don’t have one

Maybe not EVERY time I pet my dog but I do wash hands often throughout the day and we also hand sanitise quite often. If I’m about to feed or change baby I always wash or sanitise anyway. However, that’s for MY baby. If I was going to touch someone else’s baby would for sure wash hands or sanitise. You have every right to ask that of people!

It’s your baby! We all have different things.. I won’t touch anything on public transport, but I’m super lax about almost everything else.. but you do you? We all get to make up our own set of rules

Read more on Peanut