Have you ever considered eating your next meal out of a dirty dish? Odds are, probably not. Your dog's food bowls, however, may occasionally get overlooked when the day's dishes are gathered and washed. It is important not only for home sanitary reasons, but also for for your dog's health, to ensure that his food and water dishes are just as clean as your own.
Frequency
Clean your dog's food and water dishes at least once per day. While there is no consensus to how frequently it should be done, a good rule of thumb is to keep the dog's diet in mind. Wash food bowls once per day if the dog is on a dry food only diet. Clean the food dishes after every meal if your dog is served wet or raw foods. Water dishes should also be cleaned daily, as hair and dust more easily collect in water.
Method
There are several ways to keep your dog's food and water bowls clean. To hand wash pet bowls, use a mild detergent and warm water. Rinse the bowls thoroughly to ensure no residue is left behind. The chemicals in the residue could upset your dog's stomach. Most bowls can withstand the high temperatures and be ran through the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on the sanitize cycle, which is the highest temperature setting, to rid the bowls of as many germs and bacteria as possible. With both methods, it is important to keep the dog's dishes separate from your own to prevent contamination. An alternative to washing your dog's bowls so frequently is to use disposable plastic inserts. These can be found at most pet food stores.
Other Considerations
Select either a stainless or porcelain bowl to feed and water pets in. Ceramic and plastic bowls should be avoided. The porous nature of these materials provides a breeding ground for bacteria and other germs, which could be harmful to your dog's health. Plastic bowls should also be avoided because dogs have more of a tendency to chew on them.
Keep in mind that cleaning your dog's food bowls will be easier if food is not left in the dishes for hours. If your dog is a free feeder, consider switching to scheduled feedings. Not only will his dish be cleaner, but he will be less prone to becoming obese and developing other health problems as a result.
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