Yucky Water Dishes and Why You Should Clean Them

One of the first things I tackle when I am petsitting is to clean the water bowl. I want to make sure the pet is happy and healthy while I am responsible for their well-being. There is a yucky film that can develop, and I have learned over the years that it can be a health problem.

Some clients have requested that I wash the water bowls daily due to previous health concerns, particularly acne, which formed on the pet’s chin. I have also noticed that many pets, especially cats, will not drink enough water, and this can be because their water dish has the yucky film on it, which affects the taste. I became a bit obsessed with this particular task as a pet sitter, and do what I call the ‘paper towel test’ on the water dish after I rinse it out. If there is brown or pink gunk, then I scrub it thoroughly. This film also seems to come back quickly, so I am careful to wash it more often than a bowl that fully passed my crude test.

Pink = bad for your pet

Water Dishes and You Should Clean Them

When I Googled it to get some insight, I was pretty grossed out. The main article was from 2018 by Stanley Coren, a well-known dog expert I used to watch on TV, titled ‘What is Lurking in Your Dog’s Water Bowl?” It discusses many problems and research related to water bowl cleanliness, material types, and possible consequences. One of the issues is plastic, which can be problematic depending on the type/quality of plastic used, as well as if it is scratched up. What struck me was that while ceramic is a safer material, it can be as bad or worse because of cracks that form in the glaze, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Stainless steel seemed to perform better, though in my experience it can still fail my ‘paper towel test’ and needs regular cleaning.

The article also named Serratia Marcescens as the bacteria that we see as that pink film at the bottom of the bowl. When I Googled that, so many medical concerns popped up. I am sure it is more dangerous when it forms in a hospital care situation, particularly on equipment that should be sterile, but nevertheless, it is still scary.

On top of that, what we cannot see with the naked eye can be just as bad. Both Salmonella and E. coli were found to be present on water dishes in the research Dr. Coren is discussing.

I watched an online presentation by Dr. Jean Gauvin, a veterinary dental specialist, and he mentioned a link between the bacteria in a water dish and dental health. He said that when plaque forms on the tooth, it can form on top of the bad bacteria, causing more serious dental problems. This is another reason to keep your pet’s water bowl clean, as well as clean your pet’s teeth.

What should you do?

You should clean your pet’s water dishes regularly! Rinsing out with water is not sufficient.

Wash with warm soapy water or run through the dishwasher instead. If you use plastic, make sure to wash it frequently, and if you notice a lot of scratches it is time to get a new bowl.

Other pets

If you have a pet that is sensitive to chemicals, like a bird, amphibian, or reptile, be careful how you sanitize your bowls. You may need to use elbow grease rather than soap, and change bowls more often. If you have any concerns about a specific species, please ask your veterinarian or local specialized animal expert to find out what they use and can recommend. When I volunteered at the local Zoo we used a special type of cleaning product for the Vivarium that was safe for reptiles, but it required special protocols to ensure everything was thoroughly cleaned and rinsed and ready to go back into the enclosure.

Some species, like hermit crabs, may be sensitive to metals so you cannot use stainless steel in those cases. Again, just do some research and reach out to your veterinarian, specialty pet store, or other experts to find out what is the safest option for your particular pet.

Resources

Here is a link to Stanley Coren’s article if you would like to read more: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201809/what-is-lurking-in-your-dogs-water-bowl

Originally published November 11, 2020