You might be neglecting this cleaning task you should routinely do for your pets.
We love our dogs and cats so much, and we’re happy tospoil them rotten.
We’re talking pet bowls, and they need to be cleaned every day.
Credit:ti-ja / Getty Images
How Often Do I Need to Clean Pet Bowls?
Cleaning your pet’s food and water bowls is crucial for their overall health.
“These are a breeding ground for infections that may lead to illness.
To prevent this and keep your pet healthy, clean both the water and food bowls every day.
What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Pet Bowls?
Neglecting to clean your pet’s bowls can lead to various health issues.
Mold is another significant concern, especially black mold, which can grow quietly.
Best Practices for Cleaning Pet Bowls
Clean your pet food bowls every day.
The water bowls should be cleaned at least every other day, if not every day.
Think of it like cleaning your own dishes after a meal.
You wouldn’t eat meal after meal on the same dirty plate, and neither should your pet.
Use hot, soapy water with an unscented, pet-safe dish soap to wash the bowls by hand.
Stainless steel and ceramic bowls can be placed in the dishwasher on a high-heat setting for thorough sanitization.
Allow the bowls to air dry completely or use a clean towel to dry them.
double-check the towel is clean.
Otherwise, it’s possible for you to introduce new bacteria with a dirty towel.
With dry food, the oils and crumbs from kibble can accumulate and attract bacteria.
Dry food bowls should also be cleaned every day.
