A Suspect Killer : What Is In Your Dog's Water Bowl?

[QuantumHusky]

So a lot of people will fill the boul and put it down without a thought. Now, this can be fine. I ask the question though what happens if you do this constantly over a period of time. What a lot of people don't realize is that if you never or sparsely clean the water boul it will start to build bacteria, algae, and sometimes an oozing clear slime. This my friends are called a Biofilm and it's a common slime that’s poisoning your loved ones. So what is contained in these biofilms?

• Serratia marcescens (the pink film you see in bowls, shower curtains, and other wet areas)
• E.coli
• Candida albicans
• Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease)
• Clostridium difficile (the most common cause of human GI infection and a growing epidemic)
• Clostridium perfringens
• Helicobacter pylori (causes human stomach ulcers and gastritis)
• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Legionella pneumophila
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Salmonella typhimurium
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Staphylococcus epidermidis
• Vibrio cholerae (some strains cause the disease cholera)
• and many more (including those causing diverse chronic, debilitating human illnesses)

The fact that we can prevent major health conditions in our pets simply by keeping their bowls and toys clean and sterile is sobering. It’s a little bit of effort for such a large return! So friends remember to keep the water bouls clean to keep our loved ones safe and happy!

 

[QuantumHusky]

Let me know if this helped inform you or if you already knew that this was a thing!

 

[AriesAngyl]

Well. To be honest I do wash his bowl out regularly, and I knew it was for hygiene reasons...but I certainly did not know all of the above so thank you for sharing

 

[UR20Z]

Opinion: It was better the first time around without the clickbait title.

 

[KitsuneMichiru]

I wash my cat's bowl regularly because of our hard water issues, at least every other day.

 

[FloofyNewfie]

Let me know if this helped inform you or if you already knew that this was a thing!

Oh, I already knew. I wash out my doggy girl's food/water bowls every time I refill them. They're usually thoroughly rinsed out multiple times a day. I also usually toss them into the dish pile when I do the dishes. But thanks for posting about it. It's good information for those that don't know.

 

[Ruben]

Let me know if this helped inform you or if you already knew that this was a thing!

It's a good reminder, thank you. I could not have reproduced that list of germs from my mind.
(By the way, naming a source wouldn't hurt, in case you didn't either.)

 

[Ehdude]

Let me know if this helped inform you or if you already knew that this was a thing!

I do this occasionally but it's a bit of a undertaking when using automatic waterers.

 

[Deleted member]

I do this occasionally but it's a bit of a undertaking when using automatic waterers.

I bleach-flush those for the kitties, then rinse the heck out of it.

 

[Octavian]

My dog’s bowls go in the dishwasher at least once a week, usually twice. Fancy LG with Insane-o-hot steam sanitize feature. I’d suspect we’re safe.

 

[Bloodwolf]

If you don’t wash your dogs food or water bowl each day your not a zoo.
Or is that just my level of care?

 

[Dog&PonyShow]

Do you have a source for this? At least one of the germs listed is not something that lives in water at all, and many of these cause diseases in humans but not recorded to in dogs.

 

[Ehdude]

I bleach-flush those for the kitties, then rinse the heck out of it.

How do you get the bleach into the supply line? Also how much do you use?

 

[Ehdude]

Do you have a source for this? At least one of the germs listed is not something that lives in water at all, and many of these cause diseases in humans but not recorded to in dogs.

I was wondering about that too as many animals in my neighborhood drink random puddles despite our best efforts.

 

[Bloodwolf]

How do you get the bleach into the supply line? Also how much do you use?

Add it to the dishwasher as it’s filling

 

[QuantumHusky]

Do you have a source for this? At least one of the germs listed is not something that lives in water at all, and many of these cause diseases in humans but not recorded to in dogs.

Biofilm… the health risk lurking in your pet’s food and water bowl

A well-balanced diet and readily available water are critical to the health and well-being of our pets. They are the sustenance that keeps them happy and healthy. As pet owners, we work hard to be …

happytailsfromhusse.com

Biofilm: Danger Lurking in Your Pet's Bowls | Bat Country Pet Sitting

Biofilm contains deadly bacteria such as: staph, E. coli, listeria, candida, salmonella, H. pylori, and many more. Your pets and family members (especially children and elders) are at risk--learn what to do about biofilm in your home!

www.batcopetsitting.com

What's The Slime Inside My Dog's Water Bowl? - Proud Dog Mom

Have you ever rubbed your fingers inside your dog's water bowl and felt slippery slime? Find out what it is, how it affects your dog, and how to clean it!

www.prouddogmom.com

Bowls, Biofilms, and Pyometra - Avidog University

Biofilms are sticky networks of microorganisms, such as bacteria, that adhere to surfaces like dog bowls. Biofilms may cause pyometra, ear infections and more.

www.avidog.com

Are You Feeding Your Dog Biofilm? — The Canine Chef Cookbook

Biofilm is that slimy stuff you can feel on the inside of a water bowl. It’s a collection of organic and inorganic bacteria bound together in a thick substance that acts as a glue to hold the bacteria together and adhere it to the surface. It provides a safe haven for organisms like Lister

thecaninechefcookbook.com

I just figured this is something that people should be aware of.

 

[Bloodwolf]

Biofilm… the health risk lurking in your pet’s food and water bowl

A well-balanced diet and readily available water are critical to the health and well-being of our pets. They are the sustenance that keeps them happy and healthy. As pet owners, we work hard to be …

happytailsfromhusse.com

Biofilm: Danger Lurking in Your Pet's Bowls | Bat Country Pet Sitting

Biofilm contains deadly bacteria such as: staph, E. coli, listeria, candida, salmonella, H. pylori, and many more. Your pets and family members (especially children and elders) are at risk--learn what to do about biofilm in your home!

www.batcopetsitting.com

What's The Slime Inside My Dog's Water Bowl? - Proud Dog Mom

Have you ever rubbed your fingers inside your dog's water bowl and felt slippery slime? Find out what it is, how it affects your dog, and how to clean it!

www.prouddogmom.com

Bowls, Biofilms, and Pyometra - Avidog University

Biofilms are sticky networks of microorganisms, such as bacteria, that adhere to surfaces like dog bowls. Biofilms may cause pyometra, ear infections and more.

www.avidog.com

Are You Feeding Your Dog Biofilm? — The Canine Chef Cookbook

Biofilm is that slimy stuff you can feel on the inside of a water bowl. It’s a collection of organic and inorganic bacteria bound together in a thick substance that acts as a glue to hold the bacteria together and adhere it to the surface. It provides a safe haven for organisms like Lister

thecaninechefcookbook.com

I just figured this is something that people should be aware of.

That biofilm shit is hard to get off too when it sets in

 

[Zalanthe]

Do you have a source for this? At least one of the germs listed is not something that lives in water at all, and many of these cause diseases in humans but not recorded to in dogs.

One of them exist on human skin pretty commonly, so washing it with your hands would get it there anyways. In fact a lot of these diseases are relatively common in the environment. Your dog is more likely to drag them to you than to feel much ill of its own, which should probably be the actual lesson here.

 

[Dog&PonyShow]

Did some more digging with scientific sources and consensus seems to be that bowls should be cleaned often; food bowls after each meal and water bowls every 1-3 days. The bacteria that person (in the article) called out are not all correct for food and water, but bacteria are a concern after a while!

Thanks QuantumHusky for the info!

How Often Should You Wash Your Dog's or Cat's Bowls? - Vetstreet

Pet food that's left out too long can grow dangerous bacteria like Salmonella. We ask experts to share their recommendations for cleaning pet food and water bowls.

www.vetstreet.com

 

[Ehdude]

Add it to the dishwasher as it’s filling

Yours must be much smaller and more portable as mine is way too big for a dish washer.

 

[UR20Z]

Yours must be much smaller and more portable as mine is way too big for a dish washer.

Yah... I still can't figure out a way to fit a hundred gallon rubbermaid tank into the dishwasher...

But then, my "dogs" come in at 15 hands and up, and go 1200-1800 pounds, depending on which one you're looking at...

 

[Mare Lover 1975]

Yah... I still can't figure out a way to fit a hundred gallon rubbermaid tank into the dishwasher...

But then, my "dogs" come in at 15 hands and up, and go 1200-1800 pounds, depending on which one you're looking at...

Me either, so I use my steam cleaner on them to kill any and everything that might be trying to grow in my horses water tubs.

 

[UR20Z]

Me either, so I use my steam cleaner on them to kill any and everything that might be trying to grow in my horses water tubs.

I generally go with the "scrub the bejeezus out of 'em, rinse with water, then rinse again with a quart or so of clorox (no scents, "splashless", or any of the other stupid bullshit gimmicks - just plain old clorox) before dumping out the clorox and letting them fill. The ones I'm dealing with currently *LOVE* the dumped clorox rinse - They'll stand there licking it for as long as you let 'em. (And before anybody starts freaking, hit the brakes and take a chill pill. Standard sodium hypochlorite bleach (which is ALMOST all of the brands of jug-bleach you can buy) breaks down into water, salt, and molecular oxygen as it does what it's supposed to do. It does so even faster when exposed to direct sunlight)

 

[Bloodwolf]

Yours must be much smaller and more portable as mine is way too big for a dish washer.

I was referring to dog owners

 

[Bloodwolf]

Me either, so I use my steam cleaner on them to kill any and everything that might be trying to grow in my horses water tubs.

Got a hotsy?

 

[FeralLovin']

I keep all of my dogs things clean, but that doesn't stop them from drinking runoff from the cows pen and licking, what I'm hoping is mud, off of the pig's noses out at my folk's farm.

 

[UR20Z]

I keep all of my dogs things clean, but that doesn't stop them from drinking runoff from the cows pen and licking, what I'm hoping is mud, off of the pig's noses out at my folk's farm.

Y'know what they say about "hoping" <heheheh>.

 

[Ehdude]

I was referring to dog owners

I have dogs, but they are mostly strays that I am providing water to do it needs to be set it and forget it as well as capable off handling multiple dogs.

 

[Rottynme]

Also, don't forget to elevate the bowl to lower the risk of bloat. Especially for large canine companions. I'm sure most of you already do.

 

[Deleted member 76481]

Wait, you mean there are people who don't clean the water bowl?
Tf 0.o