How Often Should I Change My Cat’s Food and Water Bowls?

When did you last clean your cat’s bowl?

If you don’t remember when you cleaned it, then you need to read this!

Why should you wash their bowl?

According to the Center of Veterinary medicine at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cat’s food and water bowls need washing every day after the meal with soap and water.

As cats eat directly from the bowl, they can transfer the bacteria lurking in the bowl to their stomach. The bacteria grows each time you serve the food in the same bowl without washing it. It can affect the health of your cat.

Bacteria in the Bowl

Wash the bowl of your cat with a hot water and soap every couple of days as a minimum. Also make sure to wash your hands after every wash.  Because cats eat directly from their bowls, the microbes live on their pet bowl. 

Food Type

If you are feeding your cat, wet food, you should clean the bowls every day. After you wash the bowl, you need to disinfect the sink. You can use a disinfectant towel to wipe up the sink. In the case of dry food, you can simply rinse up the bowl.

If you use the dishwasher for cleaning the bowls, make sure to use the top part of the dishwasher to prevent melting. Tossing the bowl with other utensils in the dishwater is fine, but if anybody has immunity issues in the home, then you can consider washing it separately.

Rinse the bowl thoroughly to make sure there is no soap residue or bubble in the bowl. An unclean bowl could disturb the stomach of your cat.   

Soak the Bowl in Dilute Bleach

Furthermore, you should soak the bowl in dilute bleach once a week for 10 minutes to get rid of the most reluctant and stubborn germs. Rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry before serving the next round of food to your cat.

It is indeed a great idea to use a dishwasher for cleaning the dishes. But it doesn’t ensure a bacteria-free bowl.  Therefore, it is necessary to clean them with dilute bleach and hot water and keep them bacteria-free.

Buy the Right Bowl

If you are in the market to purchase a new bowl for your pet, then you should consider buying a stainless steel one.  It is easy to clean and lasts longer.

Plastic bowls are prone to getting scratched and the scratches can become the breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Therefore, it is advisable to use either a stainless steel one or you can go with the ceramic ones too.

Clean Water Bowl Frequently Than the Food One

In contrast to the food bowl, the water bowl need frequent cleaning. If the tap water has a chemical or any other smell, it is advisable to use boiled water to clean the water and food bowl. Let it cool down before filling it again with water.

By keeping the cat’s food and water bowl clean, you can help in keeping the surface clean and your cat healthy. Good food ensures good health. Your Organic Shop cat care supplies ensure healthy cats. With organic and natural food crafted to ensure the wellbeing of your cat.