Would you eat from a bowl or drink from a glass that hasn’t been cleaned in days?
These are items that your cat or dog uses every day.
But did you know that our pets’ bowls need to be cleaned as regularly as the utensils we eat and drink from, especially if left outside?
Studies have shown that pet bowls are the third most contaminated item in the household.
They are also a breeding ground for bacteria and germs like salmonella and E. coli, making you and your pets sick.
What are we going to talk about today? That’s right, your cats’ and dogs’ food bowls!
After all, sometimes they can also be carriers of germs and bacteria.
As usual, our article is based on one of the interesting studies regarding the microbiological evaluation of water and the effect of the materials used to make animal bowls.
We hope that this information will be useful
Table of Contents:
- A study on the effect of bowl materials on water composition
- Why does a pet’s bowl need to be properly cleaned?
- How often should cat and dog bowls be cleaned?
- Best ways to clean pet bowls
- Natural disinfectants and cleaners for pet bowls
- What are the safest pet bowls?
A Study on the Effect of Bowl Materials on Water Composition
Let’s start with the results of one of the studies conducted by Hartpury University in the UK.
It is worth noting that Hartpury University and Hartpury College are among the UK’s leading specialized schools in animal care, agriculture, horses, sports, and veterinary medicine.
It is worth noting that the study was conducted on dogs, but there is a good chance that the results apply to cats as well.
Research Objectives
The objectives of the study were to determine which dog bowl material (plastic, ceramic or stainless steel) would contain the most bacteria over 14 days of use.
It was also to determine if there were any kind of correlations between the identified species (bacteria) and the bowl materials.
Research Parameters
The study took place over 6 weeks.
A sample of 6 medium-sized dogs (10-25 kg) aged 2-7 years (mean age = 3.8 ± 1.95) was used.
All dogs were clinically healthy, kept individually, and located in a rural area.
All bowls were purchased brand new and sterilized before the two-week sampling period.
On day 0, day 7, and day 14, technicians took swabs from each bowl and performed 10-fold serial sampling.
The cultured bacteria were subjected to biochemical testing, and the most prominent bacteria from day 14 were further identified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Results of the Research
It’s time to get to the most interesting part.
Let us remind you that the bowls made of plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel were tested.
The following results were obtained:
Section 1
A significant increase in CFU was found for all bowl materials between day 0 and day 7 and day 0 and day 14.
Recall that a colony-forming unit (CFU) is a unit that estimates the number of microbial cells (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) in a sample.
That is, there was an increase in the number of microbial cells.
Section 2
No significant difference was found between the total CFU count and the bowl material. However, descriptive statistics indicate that the plastic bowl material retains the highest bacterial count after 14 days.
Section 3
Several medically important bacteria were identified in the bowls, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and salmonellae. Moreover, most of the species were identified in the ceramic bowl.
This may indicate that harmful bacteria may be more successfully formed on ceramic materials.
However, further research is needed to determine the most appropriate or alternative materials for water bowls for dogs and cats.
Why Does a Pet’s Bowl Need to Be Properly Cleaned?
Some owners may wonder, is it really that important to take cleaning our pets’ bowls seriously and why can’t we just wash the bowls with soap and water?
If you wash their bowls properly, you will not only keep their food fresh, but you will also prevent bacteria buildup.
Keep in mind that bacteria can lead to problems such as food poisoning, fever, and vomiting in your pet.
Comment from Murmeo! In addition to bowls, don’t forget to wash other surfaces like countertops, the floor where your pet’s bowl rests, and the handles of your refrigerator. This is especially true if you feed your pet raw food.
How Often Should Cat and Dog Bowls Be Cleaned?
Food bowls.
Food bowls should ideally be washed after each meal.
It is best to wash your pet’s bowl immediately after they have eaten. This greatly reduces the time it takes for bacteria and microbes to develop and grow.
If bowls are left outside, they should be washed twice a day due to the increased risk of insect and plant debris infestation.
Water bowls.
Water bowls should be washed thoroughly once at the end of the day.
Infrequent washing can lead to the formation of a layer of biofilm in the water bowl. This is a slimy substance formed by a combination of algae, bacteria, and fungi that can lead to weakened immunity and the development of chronic diseases.
Comment from Murmeo! Since we are pet owners ourselves, of course we sometimes forget to rinse the water bowl. Sometimes we have also observed some slime forming in the water bowl.
Best Ways to Clean Pet Bowls
Here are some tips for a deeper, more thorough bowl wash:
- Wash all bowls with 60°C to 70°C warm water and a mild soap solution.
- Use only separate sponges and rags. Keep them away from items used to wash human dishes and cutlery to prevent cross-contamination.
- Disinfect all bowls weekly by soaking them in a white vinegar solution for 15 minutes and then rinsing them again with warm water.
- The bowls can also be washed in the dishwasher, but if they are plastic, put them on the top shelf.
Natural Disinfectants and Cleaners for Pet Bowls
Here is also a list of natural remedies that can be used to wash and clean cat or dog bowls.
White wine vinegar (apple cider vinegar)
Apple cider vinegar is really the thing that is essential in your home. This is because it has quite a few uses.
The acetic acid content in vinegar makes it very effective in killing disease-causing bacteria and germs.
It also has anti-fungal properties as well, which are especially useful for containers with uneven surfaces. It is also known to be able to remove mold.
Vinegar can also help you get rid of plaque buildup from hard water and remove odors.
Natural white vinegar and apple cider vinegar are non-toxic and safe for pets.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a mild cleaning agent and a safe deodorizer.
It is also known as sodium bicarbonate. Its alkaline properties help to effectively clean bowls by removing organic compounds such as dirt and grease with plain water.
Mix baking soda with vinegar and you have a powerful cleaning duo. You can also pour the powder onto a sponge and use it as a mild cleaning agent to remove food residue.
This product is completely safe for your pets.
3% hydrogen peroxide
Although hydrogen peroxide comes in different concentrations, a 3% concentration is sufficient to sanitize your pet’s bowls.
It is a mild oxygen-based bleach with antifungal and antiseptic properties.
Although it is classified as a bleaching agent, when the peroxide breaks down, it converts to oxygen and water, leaving behind no residual toxins that can harm your pets.
What Are the Safest Pet Bowls?
The safest pet food bowls for pets are stainless steel or silicone.
They are non-toxic, non-porous, and will not leach. They are durable bowls that are very easy to sanitize with hot water and mild soap.
And of course, they can be washed in the dishwasher.
Comment from Murmeo! We use a metal bowl for water too. But for food, we have the usual small porcelain saucers.
Ceramic pet bowls are also a great choice if you want to combine style and functionality. They are heavier than metal or plastic ones, so your dog or cat won’t be able to push or knock them over easily.
Ceramic cookware keeps food and water cooler longer on hot days, among other things.
Keep in mind, however, that bacteria can grow faster in ceramic cookware (according to research) – so wash them more often and thoroughly.
What bowls and containers do you use? Do you use any “tricks” to keep them clean?
We hope you now know which cat and dog bowls are best to use. And as a bonus, remember how to wash them properly.
And to summarize, let’s record some facts:
And that’s it for today!
Murmeo link to the article: https://murmeo.com/en/pet-bowls-how-to-choose/
