The Best Dog Food Bowl for Your Furry
Dog food bowls are often overlooked, but if you were to take a microscope to the party of bacteria that is happening, you wouldn’t realize just how gross and greasy they are.
I’m going to go over which bowls are safe for your dog based on what type of surface they’re on, how often to do a deep clean, and how to best clean your dog’s bowls.
SO, WHICH ARE THE BEST DOG FOOD BOWL?
- Stainless steel dog food bowl
- Porcelain dog food bowl
- Silicon dog food bowl
1. Stainless Steel Dog Food Bowl
Eating from a rubber mat means that your dog is less likely to come in contact with harmful bacteria. Used for their durability and lightweight structure, rubber mats are popular among experts because they limit the risk of a dog getting sick.
2. Porcelain Dog Food Bowl
Porcelain is safe and durable with no cracks or porous spots. Unlike plastic dishes, dishes are easy to clean and can survive high-temperature sterilization.
Make sure to purchase high-quality laundry products that are sourced and made in the US. US-made products have a lower chance of containing trace levels of radiation.
3. Silicone Dog Food Bowl
These bowls are the newest to hit the market. They are durable and have a flexible design, which many people like. They are often collapsible, so they are great for traveling with.
No negative implications have been linked to silicone bowls yet. New studies are being completed.
WHAT DOG FOOD BOWLS TO AVOID
- Plastic dog food bowl
- Ceramic dog food bowl
- Aluminum dog food bowl
1. Plastic Dog Food Bowl
Most experts, including veterinarians, agree that plastic is the worst option for feeding and watering your pets. This is because of the chemicals in plastics from production that can contaminate your food and water with toxins and cause a variety of health problems.
One major downside to plastic dishes is that they get scratched, which creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This could lead to skin irritation, inflammation, and infection on your pet’s chin and muzzle. In addition, ingesting this bacteria could cause other problems in the future.
2. Ceramic Dog Food Bowl
When it comes to ceramic dog dishes, be wary of lead-coated dishes. Lead is a hazardous substance and ingestion over time could have negative effects. You should be able to see if the dish contains lead before purchasing by looking for the words “lead-containing glaze.”
If the glaze cracks on your bowl, it is rendered useless. That outer layer helps to protect the porous ceramic below by keeping food away from it. If there are microscopic food particles left in that porous ceramic, they can lead to bacterial growths and other pathogens, which cannot be cleaned out of the space no matter how hard you try.
Answer – Steer clear, even if the designs are cute.
Aluminum Dog Food Bowl
Aluminum in bowls may leach into the food, which can seem fine but results in potential health consequences such as nausea and irritability. It is best to avoid aluminum bowls even if they’ve gone through an electrolytic process as a sealant.
Answer – Avoid at all costs.
How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Food and Water Bowls?
Clean your dog’s dish at the same frequency as you clean a plate to prevent bacteria from accumulating.
Ideally, you should clean your dog’s bowl with hot water after each meal. This will prevent food from building up and drying out which can then result in contamination of your dog’s next meal.
Daily, wipe your cat’s food bowl with something wet. A quick rinse after they eat is better.
Furthermore, to prevent any bacterial build-up, it is necessary to put the bowl through the dishwasher (even if these are your hands) once a week.
You should empty the water bowl and rinse it with hot water and dish detergent, letting it air dry. Or, you could run the dog’s water bowl through the dishwasher if the water has been stagnant for more than two days.
How do I keep my dog’s bowl clean?
If you have a dishwasher at home, then you’re in luck. Dishes in the dishwasher are exposed to high temperatures and so it’s the best place to clean dishes. You will also get your dishes cleaner if you use a few drops of bleach or antibacterial dish soap.
To clean a dish, soak it in hot water before scrubbing. And don’t forget to rinse off the soap!
Read: 5 Smart Dog Toys that will Keep your Dog Tired
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