All I know is cat bites are supposed to be particularly septic (I've
been lucky, I guess), so that should give you an idea of the nature of
the bacteria in their mouths.

I often offer the cats at work a bite of my sandwich - I just hold the
sandwich out to them and let them take a bite if they want.  Usually it's
Harriet who acts as if she wants some but she rarely does take a bite.
Stinky will, though.  Then I'll take a bite and I never thought much about
it.  I'd never offer them food right out of my mouth, only because I
wouldn't want my tongue clawed or bit accidentally.

At home, Otto will try to get into whatever I'm eating.  I usually chase him
away, because he will make a pig of himself and most likely puke it all up
later.  He doesn't do well with human food.  Tiger isn't as pushy and will
usually wait until she's offered something, unless it's deli ham or
cheese-in-a-can.  Then she's pushy.

I've never gotten sick from sharing with the cats, but it's not an everyday
thing.

Liz

It's not good for a cat to be eating people food, and it wouldn't be
good for your daughter to eat cat food so that the food she feeds her
cat would be good for it.  ;-)

That having been said, cats' mouths are very dirty -- probably almost as
dirty as human mouths.  On the other hand, there aren't many
communicable diseases that can be transmitted from cat to human and vice
versa.

I think the best argument is at the bottom of your second paragraph.  
She is getting James accustomed to something that he may look for from
others but find only from her.  She is doing him a disservice in his
socialization.  She'd be a better "mom" to James if she raised him with
a realistic expectation of people.   It'll make for less stress in his
life and more joy, and it would be more loving of her -- realistically
loving.

Priscilla

I think daughter is trying "to get your goat".  Ignore her actions.
I wonder how clean she is preparing food?  Don't think I would like to
eat in her kitchen.

My cats wouldn't condone eating off a *huhmans* utensils or person (other
than fingers and even that is debatable!).

Karen

If you can get your hands on the February 23, 2004 issue of Time Magazine,
there is an article entitled "Cuddle With Care" about diseases one can get
from pets.  Here's the link to the first paragraph http://tinyurl.com/38ex9
but unfortunately you have to pay to read the rest.  I'd have typed it out
for you had my cat not bitten my finger (how appropriate), making typing a
bit difficult...and painful (the bite is right on the pad of my middle
finger--much like a blood test puncture but a bit deeper).

rona

I actually went and copied the article Rona mentioned.

Going to have DD do a report on this :) Then it's not *me* telling her, it's
the experts.

Thanks again everyone!

Hailey

Here is the article:

Feb. 23, 2004 (TIME)
Deadly diseases that cross the species barrier and infect humans - like bird
flu and SARS - make big headlines these days. But if you're really worried
about getting an animal disease, you need look no farther than the fluffball
curled up on your pillow. Cats, dogs, hamsters and snakes are breeding
grounds for all sorts of microbes and swap molecules with us regularly. Our
pets share our air, furniture and food dishes. We change their litter, enjoy
their slobbery affection and endure their occasional bites.
Of the 1,400 or so recognized human pathogens, 61% are classified as
zoonotic, or naturally communicable between animals and people. Here are a
few of them:

CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE (CSD) This is a bacterial disease that cats transmit to
people through scratches, bites or infected fleas. More common in children
than adults, CSD triggers fever, enlarges lymph nodes and may damage major
organ systems.

TOXOPLASMOSIS A big problem for pregnant women (it can produce miscarriages
and birth defects), toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan that can be
picked up by eating undercooked meat or by contact with infected cat feces
more than a day old.

SALMONELLOSIS AND CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS These illnesses, caused by bacteria
shed in the feces of infected dogs, cats, birds, farm animals and reptiles,
can cause diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping.

RINGWORM These are round, crusty skin lesions caused by a highly infectious
fungus that can spread via touch from cats or dogs.

MULTI-DRUG-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS This is a deadly emerging
pathogen usually associated with hospitals. Recently it has started showing
up in house pets and horses.

Don't get me wrong. As a veterinarian, I firmly believe that the benefits of
pet ownership far outweigh the risks. But if you're going to keep animals,
you need to use common sense and follow some basic rules of hygiene.

First, always get your pets from reliable sources and adhere to a regular
schedule of veterinary visits and vaccinations. Wash your hands after
handling pets, particularly reptiles, and get immediate treatment for any
parasites that show up. Don't let your pet scavenge, hunt or eat raw meat.
Avoid contact with your pet's feces, urine and other body fluids. And clean
litter boxes daily.

High-risk groups - small children, the elderly, pregnant women and the
immunocompromised - require special precautions. Ask your doctor, and your
veterinarian.

Capuzzi is a Philadelphia area - based veterinarian