Does vinegar disinfect dog bowls

How to Clean Dog Bowl Effectively? (Sterilize and Disinfect)

We all know why it is important to clean dog bowls, but very few knows how to clean dog bowls effectively.

First, let me tell you that a dogs bowl or a dogs dish is the 4^th filthy thing in the houses. And I am not saying through any of my personal observation or experience. This has even been proved by Public Health Organization, NSF International.^[1]

Which is why it is crucial to clean dog bowls. Your dog may get sick due to germs, bacteria, molds and other microorganism that might be there in your dogs bowl.

In this article, I will share 2 ways to clean dog bowls. The first one is the Disinfect Method and the other is The Sterilize Method.

Go On! Read the complete article.

How to Disinfect and Clean Dog Bowls?

Disinfecting your dogs bowl will remove all the germs that may harm your sweet canine. However, disinfecting does not remove 100% germs or bacteria. So, if you wish to deeply clean dog bowls, you must sterilize it.

In the next section of this article, I have explained how to sterilize a dog bowl. So, dont stop scrolling and reading. But before that, lets talk how to clean your dogs bowl through disinfect method.

If the surface inside your dogs bowl is slimy, then it is an indication that your dogs bowl contains biofilm. To remove it, you will need to follow 3 steps, which are:

1. Wash your dogs bowl after every meal with mild detergent or soap and water to remove all the left over from the bowl.
2. Now, wipe the biofilm using a soft sponge and warm soap water. Clean the dog bowl meticulously. Remember not to use any hard material or scratch the bowl.
3. The last step is to disinfect the bowl every week by either dipping the bowl in white vinegar or by heating the water and rising its temperature to more than 60C and washing the bowl with the same water.

Some people even use the dishwasher with the highest heat setting to wash their dogs bowl. However, not all dog bowl can be washed in dishwasher. Vinegar is a raw cleanser that has been proved really effective over the time.

How to Sterilize and Clean Dog Bowls?

Did You Know?

A study regarding the survival of Salmonella, proved that even after you deep wash your dogs water bowl with soap and water in the dishwasher, there are chances that more than 67% of Salmonella still remains in the bowl!^[1]

Thus, it becomes very crucial to not just wash and clean the dog bowl every day, but also sterilize it at least once in a week. Sterilizing your dogs bowl will remove all the microorganisms. And the best part about this is that it is very easy to sanitize and sterilize dogs bowl and dishes.

To sterilize your dogs water bowl, you need to carry out an additional 4 steps once you are done with washing and cleaning your dogs water bowl.

Lets see what are those 4 steps!

1. Add half cup of bleach to roughly 4 liters of water.
2. Transfer this solution to your dogs water bowl and keep it that way for at least 10 minutes.
3. Take off the solution from the bowl and clean the bowl with fresh water.
4. Lastly, let the dog bowl dry.

And thats it. Your works done!

However, if you are using a stainless steel water bowl for your dog, you should not try this technique, as bleach will rust the steel.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dog Bowl?

With the increasing awareness and health issues in dogs, many vets suggest you to wash your dog bowls every day at least. It is best, if you wash your dog bowls as frequently as you wash your own utensils, i.e. after every meal.

However, if you find washing your dogs bowl after every meal, you can wash it less frequently based on the type of food, you give your dog.

• Dry Food: If you serve your dog dry food in the form of a kibble, then you may wash your dog bowl after the last meal of the day.
• Food with Water: If you are mixing your dogs food with water, then you must wash the dog bowl at least once in a day.
• Wet Food: If you feed your dog a wet food such as fresh meat, or some canned food, you must wash and sanitize the bowl after every meal.

If you are using dog mat, it is equally important to wash it as well. Dog mat also should be cleaned at least once in a day.

Yes, I know this a lot of cleaning, but risking your dogs health is not something that you would choose.

Am I right?

FAQs

The best and most simple way to clean dog bowls is using warm water and soap.Using extremely warm water, makes sure that all the germs and bacteria is removed and with the help of soap, all the food residues can be cleaned. However, you must know that most germs and bacteria does not die at any temperature below 60 C.So, make sure the temperature of your wash is more than 60 C. Some pet parents even opt to clean dog bowls in the dishwasher at the highest temperature setting.

Definitely a yes for this one!Washing dog bowls in the dishwasher is considered as a great idea as the temperature of the dishwasher is very high. What hot temperature does is that it kills all the bacteria from your dog bowl very effectively.Not only that, but you are suggested to keep the temperature at the highest heat setting because some strong bacteria like Salmonella can easily combat cool or lukewarm temperature.However, before your toss your dogs water bowl, make sure they are dishwasher safe and read the instructions carefully.

A big no for this one!It is highly advisable not to wash bog bowls with human dishes because the bacteria, parasites, and Leptospira can transfer from dogs bowl to human dishes, if washed together. Thus, it is considered very unsafe and unhygienic to wash dog bowls and human dishes together.You also need to make sure that you properly sanitize and wash your hands after you come in contact with dogs bowl or any of your dogs utensils.

Stainless steel dog bowls are very hygienic and considered better for dogs. To wash them you need to follow these 3 steps:1. You need to only use a soft sponge and mild detergent to wash your dogs bowl. Never use a scrubber or any such material that can spoil your dogs bowl.2. The second step is to sanitize your dogs bowl by either using hot water and vinegar or cool water and bleach. 3. Let your dogs bowl be soaked in the solution for some time.Now wash the bowl with clean water and let it dry.

Stainless Steel is the best material for a dog bowl.This is not just my opinion but an opinion of every pet parent. Pet parents love stainless steel dog bowl because they are very durable and long-lasting. These bowls do not even get broken or cracked, if you drop them by mistake.Another most important feature is that they are light. Carrying the dog bowl during your holidays isnt something you need to worry about. To clean dog bowls made from stainless steel is also a matter of seconds.

Conclusion

I know that such frequent cleaning is a pain for most of us. But, then werent you ready for all the challenges, when you brought your sweet canine home?

To save your dog from some serious health hazards as well dental hazards, you should clean dog bowls regularly. So, even if you did not all of these till today, its totally fine. Dont be guilty about it.

You can start from today!

I hope you found my guide on how to clean dog bowls helpful. Share your feedback in the comment section below.

References:

1. N. (2022d, August 22). Clean the Germiest Home Items. NSF. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/clean-germiest-home-items
2. Young, S. D., & Young, S. D. (2017, April 19). How often should you clean your pets food bowls? ConsumerAffairs. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/how-often-should-you-clean-your-pets-food-bowls-041917.html
3. Cleanipedia. (2021, August 17). How to clean dog bowls and toys. Retrieved August 25, 2022, from https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/family/how-to-clean-dog-bowls-and-toys.html

Ellis is a retired veterinary technician and full-time contributor at DogLovesBest. He likes writing about pet health care tips and reviews the products that are useful for fidos on a daily basis.

Ellis also guardians a Siberian husky, Nova, and a cat named Shilly. They all live happily with his wife Ammy, and both the dogs on a seaside apartment in Queens, NY.

How to Properly Disinfect Dog Bowls

Despite your cats luxurious coat, they can feel cold sometimes, and its important to make it easy for them to warm up because, if they get too cold, they could become hypothermic. Keep reading to learn how to spot the signs that your cat is cold, and how to help them feel warm and comfortable.Signs Your Cat Is ColdCats of all ages and breeds can feel the effects of the cold, but kittens, seniors, and those who are ill are more susceptible. And, of course, hairless cats can get cold even faster. Here are some of the ways to tell if your cat is cold:Your cats body feels cold Feel your cats body to see if theyre cold to the touch. If their ears, paws, and tail are colder than normal, they may need help warming up. Your cats posture changes A cat whos cold may curl up in a ball to try to warm up. You might also find them puffing up their fur or they might be in a hunched position as they try to conserve heat. Your cat is looking for warmer spots A kitty whos feeling the chill in the air will find the warmest spots in the house. They might get under the thick blanket on your bed, or they might insist on sitting in your lap. And you might find them spending more time near a heater or fireplace. During the day, they might also move to areas that get more sunshine to feel its warmth.Your cat isnt as active When a cat feels too cold, they may become less active. If your pet is sleeping more or appears lethargic, first make sure that another medical issue isnt to blame. If its because theyre cold, take action to warm them up, including turning up the heat in your home. Bear in mind that cats with certain conditions, such as arthritis, might feel even more discomfort when its cold, and this can lead to changes in activity level and behavior too.Your cat starts shivering Like people, cats shiver when theyre very cold, and this is a sign that you need to warm them up right away. But because this could also be a symptom of other problems, from illness and pain to stress and fear, be sure to determine if temperature is really the culprit.What To Do if Your Cat Is ColdThere are many ways to help your feline friend feel cozy and comfortable, such as:Give your cat a cozy bed and blanket in a warm spotWhen you see that your cat is feeling cold, give them a warm bed that they can rest in to warm up. There are heated beds that you plug in, as well as self-warming beds that work without electricity. Plus, there are heated pads that can be helpful in making your kitty feel cozy. And you can let your cat crawl under a soft blanket for extra warmth. Just be sure to use heated beds and pads as directed to prevent injuries. Let your cat relax in a warm area in the house, such as near a heat source or in a spot where the sunshine streams in during the day. Move your pet away from drafts.Snuggle with your catOnce your cat finds a comfortable spot on the bed or sofa, you can lie down next to them to help them warm up with your body heat. Theyre sure to love the attention, and youll get to be near your purring feline friend.  Put sweaters on your catAs long as your kitty doesnt mind wearing clothes, you can use sweaters to keep them warm on chilly days. This is especially useful for hairless kitties. And you can use clothes to keep your cat warm while exploring the outdoors with you.Protect cats who spend time outsideIf your pet is an adventure cat who goes outside with you, or an indoor/outdoor cat who goes out on their own, check outdoor temperatures first. Generally, its best to let them spend time outside only when its at least 45F (7C), but every cat is different, so some might only feel comfortable when its even warmer than that.Whenever its cold, raining, windy, or snowing, keep them indoors until the weather clears and warms up. Remember, cats who are cold or wet for too long are at risk of frostbite and hypothermia.Note: If you have an outdoor cat, theyll look for shelter to stay as warm as possible, so give them a safe and dry outdoor enclosure that will protect them from the elements if you cant bring them into your home, which would be preferable.Check Out These Products That Help Cats Stay WarmHere are a few products we recommend for keeping your cat warm: K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed Deluxe Hooded