Can you wash dog bowls in dishwasher with human dishes

Your Cart (0)

When was the last time you washed your dogs food and water bowls? Yesterday? Last week? Last month? When you bought them? Even the most caring, diligent pet owners forget or dont realize that dogs bowls need to be cleaned regularly, just like the dishes we humans eat off of. Dirty dog dishes do more than look gross. They can be hazardous to you and your poochs health! Both water and food bowls can become breeding grounds for bacteria and germs yuck. Thats why its time to clean up your act and get to scrubbing those dog bowls. Well guide you through it.

Why Thoroughly Cleaning Your Dogs Dish Matters

In one study, the National Sanitation Foundation

ranked dog bowls as the fourth most germ-contaminated object

in the house (after kitchen sponges, sinks, and toothbrush holders). A dogs saliva can mix with small bits of leftover food wet or dry to breed bacteria like Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and E. coli. These germs grow rapidly without proper cleaning and disinfecting. Touching the dog bowls or getting a kiss from your pooch can easily spread the bacteria to your household members. Algae and mold may also lurk in or under your dogs bowls if they arent washed regularly. And although its not a safety issue, no one likes the smell of a stinky food bowl! In other words, swishing some water around in your dogs dishes wont cut it. Its important to both clean and disinfect. Lets quickly clear up the

difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing

:

• Cleaning removes germs and dirt using soap and water, but doesnt kill the germs.
• Disinfecting kills germs using chemicals, but doesnt necessarily clean surfaces.
• Sanitizing lowers the number of germs to an acceptable level, either by cleaning or disinfecting.

While well focus on dog dishes in this article, make sure to apply your lean-mean cleaning skills to your

pets toys

too.

Recommended Equipment and Cleaning Products

Here are some of the items youll need to thoroughly clean and disinfect your dog bowls. Grab the following items before you get scrubbing:

Dog-Safe Dish Soaps

In most cases, the dish soap you use to wash your dishes is a safe choice for your dogs food and water bowls too. Another option? Make a

DIY, dog-friendly cleaning solution

with common household ingredients. If your pup has allergies, double-check the soap or detergent ingredient list. You may want to watch out for chemicals and fragrances made from ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like

peppermint or tea tree oil

.

Sponges Just For Your Dogs Bowls

Always use sponges and dish rags that are specially reserved for dog-bowl cleaning time. It may help to buy distinct colors red sponge for your pooch, green sponge for your family or cut them into unique shapes so you dont confuse them with humans-only scrubbers. On the same note, wash your dogs bowls separately from human dishes.

Disinfectant to Banish Dangerous Germs

Many experts recommend disinfecting your dogs bowl at least once per week to kill the germs left behind during your regular cleaning. Choose a commercial disinfectant thats suitable for the material the dish is made of (plastic, stainless steel, etc) and follow the instructions on the bottle. We know what youre thinking what about a homemade vinegar solution? Research shows that

white vinegar only removes certain germs

. Its a poor disinfectant, but its still an excellent all-purpose cleaner.

Step-by-Step: How To Clean Your Dogs Bowl

Get your dogs dishes sparking clean by following the simple steps below.

Step 1: Let It Soak for Dried-on Foods

Dishes looking a little crusty? To remove stuck-on food, fill your sink with hot water and dog-friendly dish soap and let the bowls sit for 5-10 minutes to loosen everything up. If stubborn spots wont come off, try a grit-busting vinegar and baking soda mixture.

Step 2: Hand Wash or Use the Dishwasher

You can either hand wash or load your dogs dishes into the dishwasher. If youre handwashing, grab your dedicated sponge, use fresh, hot, soapy water, and apply some elbow grease. Keep your dogs dishware separate from any human dishware or utensils. If youre opting for the dishwasher, first check whether your dogs bowls and platters are dishwasher safe. If so, use dog-friendly dish detergent and start a separate load for your dogs dishware. Choose the sanitize or disinfect cycle if you have one.

Step 3: Rinse and Dry Thoroughly

Wash soapy dishes with more hot water and dry with a clean towel thats reserved for your dogs bowls. Alternatively, pop your dishwasher open and remove your pets squeaky clean bowls.

Step 4: Repeat Daily (or More Often)

Your dog should eat from clean dishes each meal, so plan to clean their dishes morning and night at a minimum. If you feed them dry food instead of wet food, you may be able to clean less often.

Step 5: Disinfect Weekly (or More Often)

The final step to maintain health and safety for your entire household is to disinfect your dogs dishes (and any other feeding-related items like food mats) at least once per week. You can buy a commercial disinfectant or make one from scratch just make sure its compatible with the type of dog bowl you use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning A Dogs Food Dish

Now that you know how to sanitize your dogs bowl, well answer some cleaning FAQs:

How Often Should I Wash My Dogs Bowl?

The ideal scenario is to wash your dogs food and water bowls after every use. It sounds like a lot of work, but think about your own dishes and eating every meal off of an unwashed dish. Yep, pretty gross. Now that youve got that image in your head, start washing your dogs food bowls in the morning and at night. Pro tip: Buy extra bowls or platters so you can sub in clean ones at any time.

What Should You Use to Disinfect Dog Food Dishes?

You can buy a premade cleaning solution or make a disinfecting solution at home with strong chemicals like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and more. (Never combine chemicals.) Your dishwasher may also have a handy disinfect cycle.

Should I Hand Wash or Put My Dogs Bowl in the Dishwasher?

When it comes to cleaning dog bowls, the dishwasher wins, hands down. While hand-washing with soap and hot water will get the bowls clean, the dishwasher is much more likely to fully disinfect. Most bacteria that collects on pet bowls needs scalding hot water (135-140 F) to remove and kill it.

Do Dogs Need a Food Mat?

Dog food mats arent just decorative theyre an important part of keeping your dogs eating area clean. Most dogs are messy eaters and drinkers. Food mats catch spills and messes, as well as drool and slobber. Some food mats have a raised edge to assure that the food never touches or dirties the floor, making your life easier too. Remember to give the food mat a good hand washing or wipe on a daily basis to avoid bacteria growth.

When Should I Buy New Dog Bowls?

Inspect your dogs dishes regularly. If you see scratches, grooves, bumps, or deep bite marks, its time to replace them. These spots are a hub for bacteria and other icky things that are invisible to the eye.

Dogs Dish All Clean? Fill It With Our Healthy Meals

Wash, disinfect, repeat add dog-dish washing to your daily routine to keep your household safe and healthy. Next up? Fill your sparking clean bowls with tasty and nutritious dog foods, treats, and supplements from The Honest Kitchen.

Health Disclaimer: This post is educational in nature and doesnt constitute health advice. Please consult your pet's veterinarian or other healthcare professional for specific guidance on this topic.

Amy Tokic is the Editor of

Petguide.com

, the flagship site to over 70 different pet communities, which offers pet parents a one-stop-info-shop for all things dog and cat related. Amy's been with PetGuide since the beginning, guided by the wisdom of her Shih Tzu mix and furry roommate, Oscar. Together, this pet power couple has their paw on the pulse of the pet industry, sniffing out trends, advice, news, tasty treat recipes and other tail-wagging stories.

Can You Put Dog Bowls in the Dishwasher? A Guide to Cleaning Your Pets Dishware

Pets play a significant role in our lives and families, and its only natural that we want to ensure their health and well-being. Part of that responsibility involves keeping their food and water bowls clean. Many pet owners wonder if its safe to put dog bowls in the dishwasher. In this article, we will guide you through the process of cleaning your pets dishware and help you determine whether or not the dishwasher is a viable option.

Understanding the Importance of Clean Pet Bowls

Before diving into the specifics of cleaning dog bowls, its crucial to understand why its essential to keep them clean in the first place. Just like humans, pets are susceptible to bacteria and germs. When they eat or drink from dirty bowls, they can ingest harmful microorganisms that can make them sick.

Keeping your pets bowls clean helps prevent the growth of bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause severe gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, dirty bowls can attract pests like flies or ants, which can further contaminate the food and water.

Cleaning Dog Bowls by Hand

For years, pet owners have relied on the traditional method of cleaning dog bowls by hand using hot soapy water. This method is effective but can be time-consuming, especially if you have multiple pets or a busy schedule. Heres how you can clean your pets food and water bowls by hand:

1. Start by removing any leftover food or debris from the bowl using a spoon or spatula.2. Fill your sink or a large basin with warm water and add a small amount of dish soap.3. Scrub the bowl thoroughly using a non-abrasive sponge or brush.4. Pay special attention to the corners and crevices where bacteria can hide.5. Rinse the bowl with hot water to remove any soap residue.6. Make sure the bowl is completely dry before refilling it with fresh food or water.

Using the Dishwasher for Cleaning Dog Bowls

Now, lets address the main question can you put dog bowls in the dishwasher? The answer is generally yes. However, there are a few factors to consider before tossing your pets bowls into the dishwasher.

1. Material: Check the material of your dogs bowls. Stainless steel and ceramic bowls are usually dishwasher safe. However, plastic bowls may melt or warp under high temperatures, so its best to hand wash them.2. Residue-free: Pre-rinse the bowls to remove any food debris that could clog the dishwashers filter. This step is essential to ensure a thorough clean.3. Separate: Its best to wash your pets bowls separately from your own dishes to maintain hygiene.4. Dishwasher setting: Use the dishwashers gentle or normal cycle, avoiding any high-temperature or sanitize settings that may damage the bowls.

Periodic Deep Cleaning

Regular cleaning is essential, but periodic deep cleaning is also recommended to eliminate any stubborn stains or odors. Heres a simple method to deep clean your pets bowls:

1. Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a large container.2. Place the bowls in the mixture and let them soak for at least 30 minutes.3. Remove the bowls and scrub them with a sponge or brush.4. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove all traces of vinegar.5. Dry the bowls completely before using them again.

Tips for Clean and Safe Feeding

In addition to cleaning your pets bowls, there are a few other tips to ensure clean and safe feeding:

1. Washing frequency: Ideally, you should wash your pets bowls daily, just as you would with your own dishes.2. Replace when necessary: Over time, dog bowls may show signs of wear and tear or become scratched, making them harder to clean. If this occurs, its best to replace them.3. Multiple bowls: If you have multiple pets, provide each one with their own set of bowls to prevent the spread of bacteria or food aggression.4. Outdoor bowls: If you feed your pet outdoors, make sure to bring the bowls inside after each meal to avoid attracting pests or animals.

Conclusion

Keeping your pets food and water bowls clean is crucial for their health and well-being. While hand washing is the traditional and reliable method, placing dog bowls in the dishwasher can be a convenient option if the bowls are made of the appropriate material and thoroughly pre-rinsed. Remember to follow the dishwashers guidelines and settings to avoid any damage.

Regular cleaning and periodic deep cleaning, along with the tips mentioned above, will help ensure a clean and safe feeding experience for your beloved furry family members. By taking the time to properly clean your pets dishware, youre not only preventing illness but also showing your pet the love and care they deserve.