Heya, fur moms and dads out there! Raise your hand if you cannot remember the last time you thoroughly washed your pet bowls. We thought so. Hey, don’t worry, for whatever it’s worth, we are guilty too. We understand that there’s still a lot of dog owners who usually ask how to clean and how often should you wash your dog’s bowl. For most fur parents, cleaning their furkids’ food and water bowls is often an afterthought. Pet bowls can be filthy. A study shows that pet bowls are the 4th dirtiest thing in a dog owner’s house. Yes, your dog’s bowl may look clean after they’ve finished licking up all the food or water in it, but these bowls still need to be cleaned often to avoid bacteria build-up. Thus, we have created this guide to answer those questions.
Bacteria in a Bowl
Before we proceed to your question, how often to wash dog bowls, this aspect should not be left out. Not only should you wash your dog’s food bowl with hot water and soap after every meal, but it is also a must that you should wash your hands before and after handling your pet’s food to help prevent passing any disease.
Just like with human food, your pet food that’s left out too long can also grow bacteria. Because pets eat directly from their bowls, microbes that are commonly present in your pet’s mouth can be transferred to any leftover food in the bowls, building an area where bacteria can flourish. Some of these microbes may be possibly dangerous not only to your pets and but to you as well.
Tips on How Often Should You Wash Your Dog’s Bowl
Now, it’s time to get things done! Here are some simple tips on how often to wash dog bowls. Consider these steps to make you, your family, and furkids safe.
- Well, for starters, consider using a stainless steel bowl, the gold standard, for your dog’s food. Ceramics are also recommended as long as there are no cracks. Avoid using plastic bowls as they can withhold bacteria in even micro-scratches.
- Get busy washing. Wash the bowls and rubber mat (if you’re using one) with hot, soapy water (as hot as you can handle) every single day.
- After washing, disinfect your sing (unless you are using a dedicated one for your pets). This simple step can be done using a disinfectant wipe.
- Let the bowls air-dry. Avoid using towels, as we don’t want any cross-contamination.
- Once a week, do super sanitation. You can do this by making a solution of ¼ bleach to a gallon of water, a quick soak for 10 minutes, or throw everything into the dishwasher on a high setting (others have a sanitize option).
- If you are serving raw food, you have to sanitize it after every meal. This includes your utensils, cutting boards, and clean your countertop as well.
- Lastly, ant the most important of all, again, wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds before and after chow-time.
Hacks for Cleaning your Dog’s Bowls
Now that you know the simple tips on how often to wash dog bowls, check out these hacks that may be useful for your dog’s daily life. If you are unable to clean your dog’s food and water bowls daily adequately, there are other alternatives that you may use.
- Disposable Bowl Inserts – These disposable inserts are available in most pet stores. While this option isn’t environmentally friendly, this can work in a pinch if you are unable to clean your dog’s bowls thoroughly.
- Multiple Bowls – Another popular option is to buy multiple bowls and rotate them daily if you seldom use the dishwasher. This will give fresh and clean food and water to your furkids.
- Electic Fountain – To replace water bowls, you may opt to buy an electric fountain that keeps circulating.
When pets don’t have safe sources to drink and eat from, chances are, they may avoid eating and drinking completely, and this may lead to weakness and dehydration. Know more about dog bowls.
Conclusion
When it comes to cleaning or washing your dog’s bowls, there’s a lot of discussions as to how often to wash dog bowls, how should you wash dog bowls, or where should you wash dog bowls. But one thing’s for sure, if you’re guilty of leaving your dog’s bowls uncleaned, you are running the risk of growing bacteria and contracting foodborne diseases not only to your furkids but also to your family. So it is essential to clean your dog’s bowls as often as possible and don’t forget to practice proper hygiene as well.
It may seem a little more work than your usual routine. However, taking these simple tips on how often to wash dog bowls will ensure both you, your furkid, and your home free from potentially dangerous bacteria.