May 30, 2024, 10:53 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Pets are usually given food and water in bowls. To prevent the build-up of germs that can weaken the animal’s immune system, their bowls should be cleaned regularly. But how often is it actually necessary to clean the water and food bowls? And what kind of cleaning is suitable for each material?
Every pet owner seems to have their own approach to the hygiene of their pet’s bowl. Some remove the empty bowls immediately after feeding. Others continue to fill the unwashed but seemingly clean bowl, even after a week. This is because dogs, in particular, usually lick their bowls clean, down to the last crumb or gravy residue, until no dirt or food remains visible on the surface. However, picky cats sometimes leave food residue behind, which can form stubborn crusts. However, this is not the only reason why food bowls and water dispensers should often be cleaned much more consistently than many owners realize.
Overview
What does good food bowl hygiene look like?
Especially on warm days, bacteria and germs can build up in water and food bowls. If wet dog and cat food is left outside for too long, flies may lay their eggs in it. Bird and hamster food, on the other hand, will quickly attract fruit flies, as it is made up mainly of fruit and vegetables.
Therefore, food that pets do not eat immediately should not only be covered but also removed. Most four-legged friends strongly dislike dried leftovers anyway. But pathogens can also be found in the saliva of dogs and cats. And these can also end up in spotlessly clean food bowls or water troughs.
The material is also important. Not only do many animals not like plastic bowls because of their inherent odor, they also become rough and have parts break off through their prolonged use. The glaze on painted porcelain bowls, on the other hand, can also begin to crumble after a while. Damaged areas and microscopic cracks are then more prone to the formation of germs. In general, bowls made of stainless steel or ceramic are easier to clean due to their smooth, sealed surfaces. They also do not develop unpleasant odors.
How should you clean the water and food bowls?
The best and most thorough way to clean food bowls is in the dishwasher. This is because high temperatures are reached, so germs and bacteria are reliably killed. While some plastic bowls cannot withstand these high temperatures, ceramic or stainless steel bowls can be safely cleaned in the dishwasher at 60 degrees.
It is therefore best to first check whether the bowl is dishwasher-safe. This is usually signified by a symbol of a drinking glass and fork, which is usually located on the underside of the bowl. If you see it, you can put it straight into the machine – provided you don’t mind washing your own dishes in there too.
If you don’t have a dishwasher or don’t want to clean the food bowl in it, use a sponge or dishwashing brush. It is important that these are only used to clean pet bowls and should be replaced regularly. When cleaning, leave the soap and water solution to soak for a few minutes to loosen hardened crusts. Then rinse with clean water and dry the bowls thoroughly with a clean tea towel. The bowls can also be cleaned with baking soda instead of dishwashing liquid. Painted porcelain bowls – as well as most plastic bowls – should also be washed by hand. The best way to do this is with hot water and a drop of dishwashing liquid (without strong odors such as lemon).
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How often should you wash food and water bowls?
Whether for dogs, cats, rodents or birds, the food bowl should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a day – ideally even after every feed. For dry food, every two days is also sufficient in case you forget. The same applies to the water bowl. If you clean the bowls in the dishwasher, it is best to have two sets of water and food bowls for your pet. This way, a clean bowl is always available.
You should also disinfect your pet’s water and food bowls at least every 14 days, or even better, every week, for hygiene reasons and to protect against pathogens.
How should bowls be disinfected?
To kill germs such as bacteria, viruses, molds, parasites, algae or spores, you can use special commercially available disinfectants after the bowl has been thoroughly washed out. If you prefer to use natural household remedies that are well tolerated by pets, you can also use vinegar essence, citric acid or sauerkraut juice. These acidic household remedies should be diluted with water. Then rinse the bowls thoroughly to ensure that no residue remains, and then dry them completely. It is best to “air out” the cleaned bowls for some time. This way, even the most sensitive noses can no longer smell lemon.
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Clean food and water dispensers
Many owners also use automatic feeders, water dispensers or drinking fountains to feed their pets. These should also be cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals. This is not always easy if, for example, the components are firmly connected to each other. In this case you would have to remove the food completely to clean the feeder bowl.
With water dispensers and drinking fountains in particular, you should also make sure that you fill them with filtered water. This prevents the equipment from calcifying. This is because particularly picky cats will no longer use the fountain, which should actually encourage them to drink water, if the water smells funny or limescale deposits are visible everywhere. However, bacterial cultures that are anything but appetizing can also accumulate inside drinking fountains if hygiene is poor.
Conclusion: Generally speaking, dry feeding requires less work. But as germs are brought in through the saliva, everything, including the feeding tray, should be cleaned regularly for hygiene reasons.