Feeding and Water Bowls for Your Pets

Have you thought much about the feeding and water bowls you provide to your pet? Most people have not.  The type of feeding and water bowl you use for your pets can cause problems that you might not even known about. 

Here are some important things to consider when choosing the best type of bowl for your pet:

• Does your pet get bumps on his/her muzzle, chin, or lips? Some dogs and cats can be allergic to the materials their bowl is made out of.
• Did you know that sometimes your pet can have an allergic reaction to their own saliva that accumulates in their bowl that becomes a slime-like substance that is a biofilm of bacteria? Although uncommon, some pets do experience allergic reactions to their dried saliva.

Cleaning Any Type of Bowl

All bowls, no matter what type, should be washed daily with hot water and soap. An alternative is to have a few sets of bowls that are washed after each use. Plastic bowls are the most problematic. The material in plastic, when mixed with the pet’s saliva, can cause an allergic reaction resulting in bumps and red irritated skin.  Metal bowls are typically the most effective at preventing reactions and breakouts.  If your dog or cat is a chewer it is best not to use metal as it can cut them if the teeth puncture the metal.  Glass or ceramic bowls are also good options, as long as your pet does not play with the bowls.  I do not recommend glass or ceramic bowls for puppies and kittens because if the bowl gets chipped it can cause a cut or injury.