A VET has given an urgent warning to dog owners about their pet’s food bowl which could cause severe problem both for you and your furry friend.
While everyone knows about the importance of keeping things clean around the house to stop diseases from spreading, one item which is often overlooked is a dog’s food or water bowl.
Research by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year discovered that 22 per cent of dog owners clean their pup’s dish once a week, while 18 per cent only wash it every three months or not at all.
The study said that this “poses significant health risks to pets and pet owner” because it created an environment where harmful bacteria, such as listeria and salmonella can thrive.
Both types of bacteria can cause diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps and nausea in humans with the symptoms coming more severe in pregnant women, kids, adults over the age of 65 and people with a weakened immune system.
Now, the head vet at tails.com, Dr Sean McCormack has urged pet owners to wash their dog’s food bowls after every use to keep potential illnesses at bay.
Dr McCormack told the Mirror: “Just as we wouldn’t eat repeatedly from the same plate with leftover food remains nor should our pets.
“Residual food can lead to bacterial growth over time, and some of those bacteria are potentially harmful not only to our pets but also ourselves.
“Our pets also don’t tend to have the best oral hygiene unless we are brushing their teeth daily, so allowing food and water bowls to go days without washing can make for some pretty unpleasant and unsanitary surfaces for them to eat and drink from.”
The top vet recommend people should clean your dog’s dish and scooping utensils every day just to be “on the safe side”.
He added it was best to wash them in hot, soapy water, using a scrubbing brush.
Dr McComack also advised separating pet washing utensils from our own due to the potential risk of cross contamination of bacteria – while our loveable pets may cope perfectly well, it could cause sickness in humans.
He stressed that this was particularly important if there are young, old, immunocompromised or pregnant people in your household.
The vet said that people should reconsider putting your pet’s dishes into the family dishwasher along with other items.
He recommended, in order to be “totally safe” to wash pet food and water bowls separately.
Earlier this month, a vet revealed that everyday items people have about their homes which could harm or even kill your beloved pet.
Vet Dr Joanna Woodnutt has also explained why giving your pooch sausages was a no-no for man’s best friend as BBQ season heats up.
Another vet Dr Samantha Webster has also given a warning for dog owners who have artificial grass in their gardens.
