Pet bowls may look clean but still harbour germs: How often should you actually wash your dog's or cat’s bowls?

A pet's food and water bowls may look perfectly clean, but that does not always mean they are free from germs. Dogs and cats can carry bacteria and other microorganisms even when they look healthy. Food residue, saliva, and moisture left inside bowls can also create an environment where germs can remain. That is why cleaning your pet's bowls should be part of their everyday care routine, just like feeding them on time or taking them for a walk. How often should you wash your pet's bowls?

The answer depends partly on what your pet eats. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bowls used for wet food should be cleaned after every use. Bowls used for dry food and water should be cleaned every day. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also recommends washing and drying pet food bowls after each use and washing water bowls daily. So, if your dog or cat eats wet food twice a day, its food bowl should ideally be washed twice a day rather than simply wiped and refilled.

Pet food can sometimes become contaminated with harmful bacteria. The CDC notes that pet food and treats can carry germs that may make both pets and people sick. These germs can also spread to feeding bowls and other pet items. Pets can carry germs even when they appear healthy. Some bacteria are harmless, but others can cause illness in animals or humans. This is one reason good hygiene around pet food and feeding equipment matters. A bowl that looks clean may still have tiny amounts of food, saliva or microorganisms left on its surface. Regular washing helps remove this build-up.

Not really. Simply rinsing a bowl may remove visible food but does not provide the same cleaning as washing it properly. The CDC recommends washing pet bowls with soap or detergent and warm water, using a sponge or brush to scrub them, then rinsing them well and allowing them to dry. If the bowl is dishwasher-safe, you can also put it in the dishwasher. The CDC says dishwasher-safe pet bowls can be washed along with household dishes. When should you disinfect the bowl? Daily cleaning is usually enough for normal circumstances. Disinfection may be useful in certain situations, such as when your pet is sick or when someone in the household is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from germs. If your pet eats raw food, extra care is also important because raw pet food can contain harmful bacteria. The FDA recommends thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting bowls and other surfaces that come into contact with raw pet food.

Water bowls should not be ignored simply because they contain water rather than food. The CDC recommends cleaning them every day, and they should be cleaned sooner if they become visibly dirty or slimy. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on the bowl itself. Scratched plastic bowls can be harder to clean properly, so replacing damaged bowls may be sensible.

Keeping your pet's bowls clean does not need to be complicated. Wash wet-food bowls after every meal, clean dry-food and water bowls daily, scrub them properly with soap and warm water, and dry them before using them again. And remember to wash your own hands after handling pet food or cleaning feeding bowls. Good bowl hygiene is a small daily habit, but it can help reduce the spread of germs and keep both your pet and your household healthier.