Dog Bowls Getting Down to the Dirt

Dog Bowls: Getting Down to the Dirt

How often do you wash your dog’s bowl?  Did you have to think about that?  There’s no need to worry as it’s never too late to start doing it and doing it the right way.

You’re probably wondering why you need to clean dog bowls.  Most importantly, the health of your dog is at stake!  According to an article from the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the microbes from your dog’s saliva can be transferred to your dog’s bowl, creating an area where bacteria can flourish.  I bet that you are wondering what kind of bacteria.  Well, the list is pretty long, but we will cover the basics: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus, Salmonella, Enterobacteria and Neisseria just to name a few!

Did that change your viewpoint yet?  If not, this will.  A study completed by NSF International found that pet food dishes are the 4th germiest product found in the average home!  We won’t go into detail, but you are well aware of where your dog is sticking their tongue.  Imagine the amount of bacteria that is forming in that dog bowl!

We conducted thorough research to determine how often you should wash your dog’s bowl.  See our results below:

  • Dog bowl with dry food – after the final meal of the day
  • Dog bowl with wet food – after every meal
  • Dog bowl with water – once per day, unless there are multiple dogs using the same bowl. In this case, plan to wash and sanitize every 1 to 2 hours.
  • Don’t forget about the dog mat – clean daily

There are multiple ways in which you can clean the dog bowls.  You can hand wash and air dry or utilize a dishwasher with a heated dry setting.  There is a chance that the dog bowl may have caked on dog food.  In this case, fill it up and let it sit in the sink for a bit before washing it.  If you do not want to put the time and effort into following recommended washing guidelines, there are compostable bowls that you can buy.  You will use them once and then they can be broken down and thrown away.  Either way, the health and safety of your dog is the main priority!