Your pet’s food and water bowls might look clean after a meal, but appearances can be deceiving. Have you considered how much residue from saliva, dry or raw food particles, and standing water is left behind? It creates the perfect environment for bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that cause foodborne illness. Regular cleaning of your pet food dishes reduces these risks and helps your furry companion stay healthy.
How often should you clean your pet food bowls?
This really depends on what your pet eats and drinks. Wet food can leave sticky residues that require washing after every meal. Dry food, though less messy, still accumulates bacteria over time and warrants a daily wash. Water bowls, often overlooked, should be cleaned daily and refilled with fresh water to prevent mold or slime buildup. If you're feeling like a bad pet parent, you're not alone.
How to Wash Your Cat and Dog Bowls
By Hand:
- Rinse the bowl with hot water to remove bits of leftover food.
- Use a pet-dedicated sponge or scrub brush with dish soap to thoroughly clean the bowl surface.
- Rinse away all soap residue with clean water.
- Dry with a clean, pet-only towel to avoid cross-contamination.
In the Dishwasher:
- Check that the dirty bowl is dishwasher-safe.
- For stubborn messes like dried-on food, soak the bowl in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes before scrubbing or loading it into the dishwasher.
- Place it on the top rack to avoid damage.
- Run a high-temperature wash cycle.
- Consider washing pet bowls in a separate load from human dishes.
Choosing the Right Pet Bowl
Not all pet bowls are created equal. Stainless steel dog bowls are the most hygienic option because they're non-porous and easy to sanitize. Ceramic and plastic dog bowls can develop cracks or scratches where bacteria can hide, making them harder to clean thoroughly. Opting for dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowls simplifies cleaning and promotes better hygiene, and having a set of extra bowls can take the pressure off this daily chore.
Maytag Introduced a Dishwasher Determined to Help
For pet owners with busy schedules, dishwashers like the Maytag® Third Rack Dishwasher with Pet Pro Sanitization Cycle offer a convenient solution. "[This product] is specifically engineered for homes with pets, combining high heat and powerful cleaning to eliminate bacteria while tackling tough pet food residues," shared Gerrod Moore, Integrated Brand Manager at Maytag Kitchen.
He adds, "You can clean your pet’s food and water bowls in your kitchen sink or with a dishwasher such as the Maytag® Third Rack Dishwasher with Pet Pro Sanitization Cycle – which uses high temperatures to wash and sanitize 2x faster, killing 99% of bacteria harmful to pets such as Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus – while the PowerBlast® cycle scours away stubborn messes like peanut butter and dried-on pet food."
*When compared to Normal Wash cycle plus Sani Rinse option and Heated Dry.
FAQ
Can I wash pet bowls with human dishes?
While it’s possible to wash slimy dog bowls with human dishes, many pet owners prefer to separate them to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. At the very least, use a separate sponge for the pet's food bowl and disinfect it with regular bleach on a weekly basis.
How often should I replace pet bowls?
Pet bowls should be replaced if they become damaged, scratched, or worn out. Stainless steel bowls generally last longer, but even they should be replaced periodically to maintain cleanliness and safety. Inspect your bowls regularly and switch them out as needed.
