Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How Often Should You Wash Dog Food & Water Bowls: Vet Approved Advice

man holding clean dog food bowl

For many of us, our pets are our world, and we try our best to love and care for them the same way we would our family members. That means cleaning up after them, feeding them high-quality food, staying on top of their feeding schedules, and playing with them daily. However, love and care are also displayed in good hygiene, and just as we clean the bowls that our family members eat out of, we need to do the same for our dogs.

The reality is that many of us slip up in this area and don’t prioritize cleaning our dog’s food and water bowls regularly. However, it’s never too late to start. According to the FDA1, you should clean your dog’s food bowls after every meal and their water bowl at least once every 2 days. If this has taken you by surprise, keep reading because we’re going to break it down for you.

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

Why Do Dog Bowls Need to Be Cleaned Regularly?

If you’re at all conscious about germs around your house, you’re probably dedicated to keeping your bathroom and kitchen clean. However, whilst scrubbing your kitchen counters, you might be overlooking one of the “germiest” items in your home—your dog’s food bowl. Of the many places analyzed in a study conducted by the NSF2, pet bowls ranked in fourth place for having the highest concentration of germs in a home.

If you’ve ever felt a slimy coating on your dog’s food or water bowl, you’ve come in contact with the biofilm. You’ve probably come into contact with this substance many times without realizing what it is because different types of biofilm form on surfaces in many different environments, including your mouth.

When bacteria stick to a surface in a moist environment, it attaches by excreting a slimy substance, together this forms a biofilm. It can form on surfaces above or below ground as long as there is a combination of moisture and nutrients as well. Biofilms harbor bacteria and make it harder to get rid of them.

shar pei dog eating
Image By: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

Dirty dog food bowls are a breeding ground for E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and MRSA. These can all make your dog very sick and can be found in your dog’s bowl regardless of the type of dog food you feed them. They are also transmissible to humans, zoonotic, and so good hygiene is important for the whole family.

Unwashed water bowls are also dangerous because germs from your dog’s mouth are transferred into their bowls when they drink. These bowls have everything bacteria need to multiply—a surface, moisture, and nutrients.

Your dog will be fine if they encounter a few bacteria because their bodies can tolerate them. However, dirty bowls, especially those with food left inside, contain more bacteria than your dog, and you, should be exposed to.

How To Wash Dog Food and Water Bowls

washing pet food bowl
Image By: MargaPl, Shutterstock

If you haven’t washed your dog’s food and water bowls in several days, here’s your reminder to do so now. Otherwise, remember to wash them after their next meal.

According to the FDA, you can wash your dog’s bowls in a sanitizing dishwasher or by hand. However, you’ll only be able to use your dishwasher if your dog’s food bowl is dishwasher safe. Washing by hand will require more effort from you, but it’ll also be faster. If you’re not sure whether you’re cleaning your dog’s bowls correctly, you can follow the guidelines below:

Steps To Washing Dog Food & Water Bowls:
  • Start by removing any leftover food from your dog’s bowl.
  • If the food is old, place it into a plastic bag and tie it closed. Put it in your trash can.
  • Run some hot water into your kitchen sink and add dish soap to make it soapy.
  • Use a dedicated sponge that you only use on your dog’s bowls and food scoop. This will prevent cross-contamination, as you don’t want the sponge used to clean your dog’s bacteria-rich bowls to rub all over your own plates and bowls.
  • Wash the food scoop, along with your dog’s food and water bowls.
  • You can take it a step further and soak the items in dilute bleach for 10 minutes. For this step, you’ll need to mix 1/3 cup of bleach with one gallon of water. You can include this step once a week if you’d like.
  • Thoroughly rinse off the items and allow them to air dry.

Dogster divider_v1_NEW_MAY_24_

Ways To Keep You and Your Dog Safe

hand washing
Image By: Pezibear, Pixabay

Keeping you and your dog safe from foodborne illness includes a few more steps than simply washing their bowls.

Keep these points in mind for their next meal:
  • Your hands have a lot of germs on them. It’s important to prepare your dog’s food with clean hands, so make sure you wash them with hot soapy water for around 20 seconds before touching their food.
  • Repeat this process once you’re done preparing your dog’s food to kill any bacteria that you might have picked up from it. This will prevent the spread of bacteria and lower your risk of falling ill. Do this with dog treats too.
  • If you’ve been scooping up your dog’s food with their bowl, it’s time to get a food scoop, as this will prevent cross-contamination.
  • Don’t leave canned food out too long because it will spoil.
  • Clean food storage containers before refilling them with new dog food.
  • Store your dog’s dry food in a container with a secure lid
  • Avoid plastic bowls because they scratch and crack easily, which bacteria hide in.

divider dog paws 4 oct 2024

Conclusion

The FDA encourages dog owners to wash their food bowls after every meal, which could be up to three times a day. Their water bowls should be washed daily or at least every second day. Although this may sound like a lot of extra work, it will keep you and your dog safe from bacteria that grow in dirty bowls.

Wash your dog’s food items in hot, soapy water to kill the germs. You can also let them sit in a diluted bleach solution for a few minutes before rinsing them.


Featured Image Credit: Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Can Dogs Get Pimples? Vet-Verified Causes & Treatments

Pimples, or acne, are not unique to people. Although there are different causes of acne in dogs, and some dogs are more prone...

How to Tell if a Puppy Is a Boy or a Girl: Vet-Approved Way

While you can’t always tell the difference between male and female adult dogs from a distance, there are physical and behavioral clues that...

10 Best Dog Whistles in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

When you think about a dog whistle, probably the first thing that springs to mind is the silent dog whistle. These kinds of...

How Long Does Dog Adoption Take? Facts & FAQ

Unlike going to the pet store and going home with a puppy or a kitten that day, adopting a pet from a rescue...

More related

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? Is It Good for Them? Vet-Reviewed Health Facts

If you are a dog owner, you are probably aware of how often peanut butter is recommended for dogs to eat. Many dogs...

How Big Do Golden Retrievers Get? Vet-Verified Average Weight & Growth Chart

Golden Retrievers, often referred to as Goldens or Goldies for short, are beloved family pets often featured in movies and shows. You’ll also...

What Is the External Extraction Technique (XXT) & Why It Could Save Your Dog’s Life

If you’ve ever witnessed your dog choking, you know how terrifying and traumatizing it can be. Learning the proper techniques to help your...

Can a Dachshund Be a Service Dog? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ

A Dachshund is an affectionate, playful, and loyal pet, and since they are so much fun to have around the house, many people...

Keep reading

Are Tomato Plants Toxic to Dogs? Vet-Verified Facts & Safety

If you get online regarding feeding dogs tomatoes, you’ll get mixed opinions. Some say that you should never give your dog any tomatoes, despite their ripeness, while others claim that ripe tomatoes can be okay in moderation. Ultimately, you should...

Dogster_Are Tomato Plants Toxic to Dogs

9 Best Dog Foods for Poop Eaters in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

So, your dog loves to eat their own feces in the yard or from your cat’s litter box—and you’re concerned. We understand. It’s disgusting for us to watch. But while poop-eating is gross, it’s also a natural phenomenon for some...

bulldog eating food

Wag vs Taste of the Wild Dog Food: 2025 Pros, Cons & What to Choose

So, your vet has just advised you that your dog should go on a grain-free or limited grain diet as it is either allergic or sensitive to the grains in its food…now what? The world of dog food is complicated...

Dogster_Dog Food Wag VS Taste of the Wild

Crave Dog Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Crave dog food is a newer brand that offers dry and wet food formulas. The brand promotes grain-free diets and features meat-based lean proteins. Like all AAFCO-approved brands, Crave offers complete and balanced nutrition for dogs. As with...

Dogster_Crave Dog Food Review

Dr. Marty Dog Food vs The Farmer’s Dog (2025 Comparison): Pros, Cons & What to Choose

Pet food has come a long way, with many brands, options, and ingredients claiming to be this or that. Pet food manufacturers go the extra mile with their marketing efforts, claiming their brand is complete, balanced, and wholesome for your...

Dogster_Dog Food Dr. Marty VS The Farmer_s Dog

10 Best Dog Foods for English Bulldogs in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

English Bulldogs are wonderful pets, but they do have some predispositions toward certain conditions that make choosing the right food for them very important. Whether your English Bulldog struggles with obesity, dental disease, or just struggles to pick up small...

English Bulldog Eating

10 Best Dog Foods for Aussiedoodles in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Congrats on your Aussiedoodle! They’re very intelligent dogs with an eye for detail and a passion for people. If you’re wondering about what kind of food to feed your special dog, you’ve come to the right place. While there aren’t...

Merle Aussiedoodle

How to Keep Ants Out of Dog Food: 10 Easy & Effective Tips

Do you have a problem with ants getting into your dog food? If so, you’re not alone. Ants are persistent and can find their way into even the most well-protected areas. In this blog post, we will discuss how to...

ants on dry kibble