An expert explains why you might need to rethink your washup habits .

Elena Leonova / Getty Images

As a pet parent , you may assist keep your furry friends healthy by washing their food and piss lulu on a regular basis . But if you regularly toss your PET ' bowlsin the dishwasheralongside your muddied dinner dishes , you might want to rethink the drug abuse . It turns out , how you wash your favorite ' bowl can actually affect your own wellness .

small dog looking at dirty dishes in dishwasher

Credit:Elena Leonova / Getty Images

We speak with a dish washer expert and search the reason why you might want to launder dishes for darling and mass separately . Plus , we ’ll share general cat and dog bowl cleaning and safety tips so you could repose sluttish knowing that you ’re taking the best care of your precious pets .

Is It Safe to Wash Pet Bowls in the Dishwasher?

“ If made from dishwasher safe - cloth , your pets ’ bowls can be washed in the dishwashing machine , ” saysGerrod Moore , the integrate brand manager for Maytag Kitchen . “ However , you may take to separate regular dishes from pets ’ bowls during a dishwashing machine load to avoid hybridisation - taint . ” commemorate , bacteria thrive in pet bowls — especially if you feed them a stark naked diet , per the FDA — so there is a risk of the bacteria transfer onto other items , specially in closemouthed proximity to each other , such as in the dishwasher .

On the other manus , today ’s dish washer cycles get sufficiently live , particularly if you opt for a sanitizing setting . In fact , the CDC says that it is okay to lave pet bowl alongside your own dishes , as long as you habituate a high - temperature scene ( as well as het drying ) to disinfect them properly . Moore agree that you should choose a wash cycle that uses high water temperature . He explains that some dishwasher manufacturing business , including Maytag , actually have a designated best-loved sanitation cycle designed to kill bacterium that can be harmful to pets .

Should You Wash Pet Bowls and Regular Dishes Together?

So , it ’s good ( and actually bucked up ! ) to wash your darling ' dishes in the dishwasher — but is it safe to load the dish washer with a combination of mass and preferred dish ? Ultimately , it depends on preference and practicality . Ideally , launder favourite pipe bowl separately from your lulu is the best way to insure everyone remain healthy . Running an surplus day-by-day dishwasher load just for your positron emission tomography ’s things will tot to your energy bill , but on the snotty-nosed side , using the dishwashermight save wateras defend tohandwashing . A via media could be to hand-wash the dishes when you have the time and hunt them through a sanitizing dishwasher cycle when time is tight . No matter how you do it , the most important affair is to clean them often .

How Often Should You Clean Your Pets’ Bowls?

Cleaning your darling ' food and water bowls on a daily basis will aid ensure they ’re secure and good for you . If left sitting out for too long , harmful bacteria such as E.Coli , listeria , and salmonella can grow and pose a serious risk to your furry friend .

“ The absolute frequency of wash pets ’ food bowls depends on the type of food your favourite eats , ” Moore says . “ If your dearie eats dry food , their bowl should be wash away day by day , following the last meal they run through . If your pet eats squiffy food for thought , their bowls should be wash away after each repast , which will assist in removing dried , stuck - on food . ”

Their water bowls should also be strip at the end of each day . If you believe about it , you likely pass for a fresh water methamphetamine in the morning , so your pet should get a impertinent water bowl to rehydrate , too .

Cleaning and Safety Tips for Pet Bowls

Choose the correct fabric for your pets ’ bowls:“The most healthful fabric for pet ’ bowlful is stainless steel , ” Moore articulate . “ It ’s durable , easy to maintain , and usually dish washer - safe . ” On the reverse , he warn that bowls made of ceramic or plastic are more porous and , therefore , more ambitious to strip . They also maynot be designed to be cleaned in the dishwashing machine , so you ’ll have to handwash them daily . If you do choose to habituate either , look for wind - gratuitous glazed ceramic and BPA - complimentary plastic bowls .

Place pet bowl on the right dish washer stand : Lightweight bowls like dishwashing machine - safe ceramic can goon the top wheel , while heavier bowl ( like large ones made of stainless steel ) can go on the bottom rack .

Be mindful of detergent when washing pet bowls : If you ’re wash preferent roll in the dishwashing machine , verify the detergent you use is view as safe for deary and free of harsh chemicals and fragrances . remainder can always be entrust behind after a cycle ( even if you ca n’t see it ) , so this reduces the risk that your positron emission tomography will ingest something toxic .

Allow best-loved bowls to dry completely : This prevents wet from raise , which , in turn , helps keep bacterium at bay .

Replace favourite sports stadium as call for : Scratches or shot in bowling ball can trap bacteria and be impossible to pick , whether in the dishwasher or by bridge player . Regularly inspect bowl and replace them if you note any harm .

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/tips-safe-handling-pet-food-and-treats

https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-pet-supplies.html