In the home of some pet owners, dog bowls are where you find the most germs in the house. Some dog owners do not seem to care about the condition of the bowl, allowing it to become a culture medium for all sorts of bacteria. On the other hand, some owners are concerned about the effect of the chemical components of dish soap on their dog’s health. So can you wash dog bowls with dish soap?
It is perfectly okay to wash dog bowls with dish soap. The same dish soap used to wash your dishes can be used for the dog bowl. Dogs are not affected by the chemical constituent of dish soap. Ensure however to use a separate sponge.
Why you should wash dog bowls with dish soap
It is disheartening when you come across the condition of the dog’s bowl in the home of some pet owners. It is unfair that dog bowls have been turned into breeding grounds for different species of bacteria and moulds. Dog bowls require the same cleaning and care as our dishes.
when dog food or water bowls shows a pink ring, this is indicative of the growth of Serratia marcescens. Other organisms commonly seen growing on a dog bowl include salmonella, e-coli, and yeast.
Dogs are however not as susceptible to these organisms as humans. This is because of the high gastric acidity which quickly kills these organisms at the level of the stomach. The short length of the dog’s bowel also gives the organisms less time to multiply to a worrisome number.
However, these organisms can pose a significant danger when the dog is ill or has advanced significantly in age, during which time the immune system becomes depleted.
When a dog is constantly being fed from a dirty bowl, the dog may develop disease conditions such as urinary tract infections, and ear infections, amongst others.
Additionally, it is encouraged to wash dog bowls thoroughly with dish soap and warm water to protect other members of the house, particularly children who may meddle with the bowls in such a dire state.
Dirty dog bowls not only pose a danger to the dog but also to children as well as immune-compromised adults. It attracts roaches and other pests. Bacterial activity on the left-over food also creates an unpleasant smell which is hard to miss.
How to wash dog bowls with dish soap
Hand washing the dog bowl can be tedious and time-consuming. It is however more effective than using a dishwasher. Here is how to wash dog bowls with dish soap.
- Get the washing sponge. Dedicate a particular sponge to washing the dog bowl
- Put on a short sleeve shirt or roll up your sleeves to avoid getting wet.
- Get the dish soap
- Apply the soap generously on the sponge and scrub the bowl thoroughly. Use a non-scratch sponge for plastic bowls.
- Rinse with clean water and air dry
How often should you wash dog bowls?
Some pet owners fail to wash dog bowls as a result of a busy schedule, un-mindfulness, or simply because the bowls are tough to wash. It’s easier to wash steel and ceramic dog bowls than plastic ones. Wash dog bowls with dish soap to ensure their cleanliness.
Owning more than one dog bowl reduces the frequency at which the bowls are washed. Water bowls require less washing frequency. While washing the water and food bowl, in addition to removing the remnants of food, clear out the biofilm and wash with dish soap and warm water.
Sometimes, the food remnants become dry and stick to the bowl. In this case, soak the dog bowls in the wash for a while before washing. Household dishwater can be used to clean up the dog bowls. The bowls can be washed together with your household dishes or separately. However, if you are unsure of the health of the dog, it is best to do this separately.
How do you keep bacteria out of the dog’s bowl?
Many dog owners do not clean the dog bowl enough. it is encouraged that the dog bowl is clean enough for you to also eat from it. Dog owners must learn the significance of cleaning their dog’s bowl, how often this should be done, how to clean the bowl, especially when the food remnant is dry and stuck to the bowl, and how to sterilize the bowl.
As surprising as this may sound, there are dog owners who have never once washed the dog bowl. I guess they are waiting for the dog to file a formal complaint.
Dogs are generally gross, putting their tongues in all manner of places including their butt. Does this excuse the need to wash dog bowls with dish soap?
An adult healthy dog has no problem dealing with the bacteria in the dirty bowl, the young puppies, elderly dogs and those with weak immune systems are however not spared. This category will cost you a trip to the vet when they are constantly fed from a dirty bowl.
It is recommended that the dog bowl should be washed every day using mild dish soap and warm water.
Can you wash dog bowls using a dishwasher?
The dishwasher is a less stressful and faster method of washing the dog’s bowl. However not all dog bowls can be washed this way, especially the ceramic types. If the bowl contains stuck food remnants, it should be soaked in water for some time to soften the food particle.
Aside from the use of dish soap in washing dog bowls, the bowl should be disinfected at least once a week to kill off microscopic organisms which may be resistant to the dish soap. If you have a messy dog, then you should have a special bowl to make washing easier.
If you find it difficult to remember the last time you washed your dog’s bowl, do not feel bad as you are now alone in this. however, this article is a reminder that dog bowls washing the same as other household dishes.
You can wash using dish soap and water, the same as that used to wash other household dishes. Dogs may exhibit sensitivity to soaps. Ensure the dish soap is safe and recommended for dog bowls.
Final words
The best way to keep bacteria off the dog’s bowl is not by simply wiping off the plate after a meal, you should make the extra effort of washing with dish soap and warm water. You can do this by scrubbing with a sponge or using a dishwasher for bowls that are dishwasher safe.
