Why is my dog s water bowl slimy

What is the pink stuff in my dogs water bowl? Tips and Tricks

Serratia Marcescens has been known to cause infection and even pneumonia. And even if you dont see the dreaded pink stuff, it doesnt mean your dogs water bowl is safe from ick. Yeast, mold, and coliform bacteria (which includes Salmonella and E. coli) have been found in dog bowls according to the NSF study. And this all goes TRIPLE for our dogs food bowls. The fat found in food is a breeding ground paradise for bacteria. Thats one cute bacterium. No, I dont think your dog will get mad cow disease, Ebola, or SARS, but we all (especially our pups!) could benefit from being a little more diligent with our dog bowl hygiene. The most common form of cleaning, and the method I am embarrassed to say I most often implemented before doing some research, is the ole hot water rinse. I thought a good scrub of hot water, with a non-soapy sponge (was it stupid of me to think my dog would taste soap in his water, when I clean my own dishes with soap but never complain about a sudsy after taste? Yes, yes it was) was suitable.

Also, be sure not to use an abrasive sponge when cleaning; remember, were trying to avoid scratches and grooves. Baking soda is also a great cleaning agent. And if you have the means, just throw those bowls into the dishwasher! The level of cleanliness will make up for all the times our dogs sneakily drink out of the other kind of bowl

And about that bacteria its nazty, and your dog bowl is teeming with it. Perhaps the most common, and certainly most recognizable is Serratia Marcescens, also known as that pink stuff.

A 2011 study conducted by NSF International looked into the germiest, dirtiest, and grimiest places in our homes and coming in fourth place was, you guessed it, our pets water bowls.

Soon youll have dog bowls so clean YOU can eat off them (which might be a good rule of thumb dew claw!)

What is the Pink Stuff in my Toilet, Shower or Pets Dish?

From the American Water Works Association, Opflow Article: Question of the Month, page 3, November 2000. Water Quality Bulletin, Woodinville Water District, Woodinville

Each year, a few customers call the water treatment plant to ask about a slimy pink substance that sometimes forms in moist areas around their homes. They most frequently observe it in the toilet bowls, on surfaces in shower stalls and bathtub enclosures, on tiles, in sinks and in pet water dishes.

A red or pink pigmented bacteria known as Serratia marcescens is thought to be the cause of the pink stuff. Serratia bacteria are common inhabitants of our environment and can be found in many places, including human and animal feces, dust, soil, and in surface waters. The bacteria will grow in any moist location where phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances accumulate. Sources of these substances include soap residues in bathing areas, feces in toilets, soap and food residues in pet water dishes. Many times, the pinkish film appears during and after new construction or remodeling activities. Others have indicated the pink stuff occurs during a time of year that their windows are open for the majority of the day.

These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources, and the condition can be further aggravated if customers remove the chlorine from their water by way of an activated carbon filter. Serratia can also grow in tap water in locations such as toilets in guest bathrooms where the water is left standing long enough for the chlorine residual disinfectant to dissipate. Serratia will not survive in chlorinated drinking water.

Serratia marcescens is not known to cause any waterborne diseases. Members of the Serratia genus was once known as harmless organisms that produced a characteristic red pigment. More recently, Serratia marcescens has been found to be pathogenic to some people, having been identified as a cause of urinary tract infections, would infections, and pneumonia in hospital environments.

Once established, the organism usually cannot be eliminated entirely. However, periodic and thorough cleaning of the surfaces where the pink slime occurs, followed by disinfection with chlorine bleach appears to be the best way to control it.

What are the Risks to Pets?

The biofilm on your pets bowls could contain algae, bacteria and fungi that come from stuff your pet licks or eats while out walking or in the yard, in addition to his food, says Joseph Kinnarney, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. This isnt limited to dog and cat dishesbiofilm can form on pet bowls for parrots, rodents, reptiles and any others who rely on a bowl, dish or bottle for food and water.

Periodontal diseases are the number one health problem in small animals. By just two years of age, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal diseases.

Bacteria that form biofilm cause dental plaque formation that leads to dental calculus formation, periodontal diseases, dental caries and systemic diseases.

Biofilm bacteria can also cause systemic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, urinary tract infections and chronic kidney disease in pets (especially in cats).

How To Clean Your Pets Water Bowls

Scuzzy, cloudy, grimynone of these are adjectives you want near your pets water or food bowl. Despite this, sometimes the cleaning routine slips away from you and you find yourself looking at a bowl definitely in need of a scouring. Lets take a look at what happens when you dont clean your bowl regularly, and whether it is anything to get your fur mussed over.

The reason why your dogs water bowl looks so gross after a few days is due to something called biofilm. When enough bacteria get together, they create a slimy substance that allows them to stick to their surroundings better. Unfortunately, water in the bowl, protein from dropped food, and the constant supply of fresh bacteria from licking creates the perfect environment for biofilm growth. When left a few days, the inside of the bowl starts to look pink, cloudy, brown or green. This means biofilm is growing.

Bacteria can be present without showing up as biofilm, but the presence of biofilm means there is a high population of bacteria in the bowl. In both food and water bowls biofilm typically looks slimy and discolored, but it can be colorless as well.

The bacteria that can be found in the bowl can cause, or make worse, many different types of illnesses. The pink slime so many people are familiar with is Serratia marcescens, which can cause wound infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Many E. coli strains love growing in both food and water bowls, which is responsible for diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Salmonella, like the bacteria found on chicken and fish, can also cause similar symptoms. These, and many others, are what is lurking in your pets food and water bowl when left alone too long.

These bacteria find their way into pet bowls in various ways. Your pet uses their mouths like hands; carrying, tasting, and licking everything as a way to interact with the world. That means the normal bacteria present in a pets mouth can include all of these and more, but in very small and isolated numbers. When drinking or eating, the bacteria in their mouth are introduced into the perfect environment to multiply rapidly. This danger to your pet and your health can only be stopped with regular cleaning.

The number one concern of pet owners when picking out equipment for their pet is; how will it look in my space and how easy is it to maintain? In order to avoid helping these nasty organisms grow in your home, however, buying a bowl that will inhibit biofilm should be the number one concern.

While many owners prefer plastic bowls, the healthiest material is actually metal, glass, or ceramic. All of these materials are too dense for bacteria to grow into and do not scratch, both qualities that make the bowls easier to clean and bacteria growth less likely. Plastic bowls pick up tiny scratches with regular use, which promote bacteria growth and make them harder to clean correctly. It is important to keep in mind that fountain style water bowls promote healthy water consumption, but the charcoal filters typically included in this style do not filter out bacteria and still need frequent cleaning.

In addition to picking out a snazzy bowl in the right material, frequent washing and refreshing of water is necessary. Just like the cereal bowl, both the food and water dishes just need a quick scrub with dish soap, and the water refilled, every day to ensure the bacteria doesnt have a chance to take hold. While the pet professionals at Furry Footsteps, LLC take care of this step when they come for a visit that may include feeding, its important to check the bowl every day to make sure an extra scrub isnt necessary.

Worried about the cleanliness in your bowls, or suddenly realize its been a while since you ran them through the dishwasher? Dont worry, this service and many others is just one of the many tasks Furry Footsteps, LLC can take care of during their visits. Give a call today or speak with your pet professional to discuss this part of their routine, and how it can benefit your pet.

How To Keep Dog Water Bowl From Getting Slimy (Unique Guide)

According to a recent survey, only in the US, almost 69 million houses have a pet dog, meaning millions of dog water bowls are being used. But unfortunately, only a few knowhow to keep dog water bowl from getting slimy.Often, people do not care about the hygiene of the dogs water bowl. Yet it is a matter of great concern.

Several studies reported that a dogs bowl is the 4^th dirtiest thing in a household. That means your dog is at a higher risk of getting sick from its dish. Before moving forward, how does a dog bowl get slimy? Well, we make it easy for you. The slime is something you see on the side of your dogs water dish in the form of sticky layers. It results from bonding between the bacteria from your dogs mouth and the dust particles from the atmosphere.

This article will discuss the causes, effects, and remedies of biofilm grown in a dogs mazer. You can directly go to the relevant part of the discussion from the table of content.

Read: What Size Dog Bowl For Labrador?

What Makes Dog Water Bowl Slimy?

Have you ever rubbed your fingers over your pets inside water dish and felt anything resembling slime? The substance that resembles sludge is referred to as biofilm. A biofilm is a mixture of live organisms and nonliving components that is adhesive and diverse. It is composed of various bacterial strains, all of which are held together by the same gummy material.

You probably dont pay much attention to how clean the water paten for your dog is, and when you refill it, you probably dont even see whats growing in there. In addition, if you do not wash the water pot daily, a greenish or transparent slime will begin to form. This biofilm is also a result of the fact that People frequently claim they clean their dogs dishes, yet their pets continue to get into mischief. This is because they do not give it a good rinse with a scrubber and then wash it in soapy water afterward.

Furthermore, it has been observed that people put their pets food and water bowls such a way that food gets into the water pot. This meal begins to dissolve in the water, and as it does so, it attracts and breeds bacteria in the surrounding environment. This condition is yet another potential cause of a sticky water pan for the dog.

Effects Of Slimy Dog Water Bowl

The biofilm that develops inside the dogs water paten is very dangerous and can cause severe health issues in pets. Since biofilms encourage the growth of contagious microorganisms, including Salmonella, E. coli, and influenza, dogs shouldnt consume them. Therefore, if you dont regularly clean up after your pet, the pollution level could increase and endanger your puppys health.

Unfortunately, some physiological systems, including the bladder, middle ear, and urinary tract infections, have been related to harmful biofilms. These biofilms are also responsible for severe kidney and cardiovascular diseases in pets. Veterinary care could be necessary due to the discomfort these illnesses cause.

These slimy bowls are equally fatal for humans as these slimes can sometimes be colorless and odorless and do not draw our attention. Often, kids with low immunity become sick due to the infections caused by these biofilms associated with the dogs water mazers. Helicobacter pylori drive causes stomach ulcers and gastritis in humans, and Clostridium difficile causes GI infections.

So, keeping in view all the life-threatening effects of biofilms in a pets water pot, it is advised that instead of just rinsing it out, youd have to clean their water pan thoroughly. Luckily to mitigate this issue, the next portion will help you how to clean slimy dog bowls?

Read Also: What Bowls Do Cats Prefer?

How To Keep Dog Water Bowl From Getting Slimy?

A lot of people do not know how to care dog water bowl. Although washing your dog mazer more often can make it free of contaminants that cause it to be slimy, thats not a practical approach. We know how difficult it is to properly wash your pups dish daily (following the key processes; cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting). But we have brought some valuable tricks that will save not only your time but also a lot of energy. You can follow these methods and never worry about the slimy dog water paten issue.

Discard the remaining water While refilling the water pot of your pup, it is best to remove all the remaining water from the pan and supply it with fresh water.

Rinse the bowl with a towel or tissue paper Before pouring fresh water, if you rinse the dogs water pot with tissue paper or a towel, it will lower the contamination chances of pathogens.

Always use fresh and clean water While feeding your dog water, ensure that the water is fresh and free of any impurities as the pre-contaminated water tends to stick contaminants and microbes from the surrounding. So, fresh water will lessen the chances of forming biofilms on the sides of your dogs bowl.

Avoid putting a dogs water bowl in an open area Dogs water pot, when kept in an open area, can breed bacteria more speedily, thus causing foiling the water and making water slimy. Therefore, keeping dog water bowl in a confined space is a best practice.

How To Clean Slimy Dog Bowls (Amazing Facts 2022)

One can make dog pans free of slime at home in several ways. As dog dishes become slimy due to microbes contamination, their proper cleaning is necessary. The following methods can be beneficial for you in this regard,

Rinsing with water and baking soda solution fill your dogs pot with one to 2 tablespoon of baking soda and tap water. Let it there for ten minutes, and then gently rub the bank inside with fingers. Flow plenty of water through it and dry it. Looks clean? It does.

Cleaning with regular detergents a regular dish soap with water can be very helpful. Make a soap water solution and rinse the dish with a soft sponge. The soapy water will break the adhesive forces between the slime and the paten material, and in this way, you will get rid of unnecessary dirt and sludge.

Hot water treatment another helpful method of removing yuck from your dogs water dish is to use hot water. In this method, the dog bowl is soaked in boiling water for 15-20 minutes and then gently rinsed with a scrubber or a towel. Hot water is very effective not only in removing sludge but also in killing pathogens that can be harmful to your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does your dogs water bowl get slimy?

Yes, your dog mazer can get slimy because you encourage bacteria, viruses, and mold into your dogs bowl. If you dont clean it regularly, it will make a greenish sticky layer around the inside walls of the bowl called slime.

What can you do to prevent your dogs water bowl from getting slimy?

Discard all the water in the bowl before refilling, clean it regularly, and rinse more often with a scrubber, and you will never see slime in your dogs water.

The Final Thought

We believe that after reading this article on how to keep dog water bowl from getting slimy, you will have a comprehensive guideline for keeping your pups pan free of biofilms. However, it is worth mentioning that not all the bacteria in your pet dish are unhealthy for your canine. Infect some bacteria are health friendly and boost your pets immune system. But, even this fact cannot negate the adverse effect a slimy bowl could have on your pets health. It is, therefore, recommended to avoid any negligence and keep your puppys water pot clean.