Your cat or dog is a full member of the family, and every day, you lovingly give him his ration of kibble. But what about his “dishes”? Because, sorry to tell you, but if you wash his bowl in the sink, just like your plate, you expose yourself to a risk to your health.
You don’t wash your dog’s (or cat’s) bowl in the sink!
This alert was launched by Mexican food engineer Montse Meléndez on Instagram. According to her, scrubbing your pets’ bowls in the sink, and worse, with the usual sponge (don’t judge, many do it mechanically), exposes you to what is called cross-contamination. Or the circulation of bacteria throughout the kitchen, with possible consequences on the health of the family.
A risk confirmed by Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical. “Cleaning cat or dog bowls in the kitchen sink exposes you to cross-contamination by bacteria from animal saliva, such as staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli or salmonella, which can proliferate in the biofilm formed by food residue. Immediately, the act seems less trivial.
A terrible illness that can be avoided
But what are we really risking with a simple wash after “the soup”? Our expert makes the list:
“Bacteria and mold from animal bowls can contaminate the sink, sponges, cloths and surrounding surfaces, promoting digestive infections (gastroenteritis), skin infections (pyoderma) or more serious infections in vulnerable people”.
For animals, this can cause gastrointestinal or dental problems. For humans, indirect transmission via hands or subsequently prepared foods.
These risks are all the more to be feared in populations at risk, whether they have two or four legs.
- Fragile humans: children, seniors, immunocompromised people, pregnant women, more sensitive to bacterial zoonoses;
- Animals (dogs/cats) with diseased or weakened gums, at risk of reinfection during subsequent meals.
Wash your pets’ dishes, instructions for use
But how do you properly wash your animals’ belongings to protect the whole family? Dr. Kierzek gives concrete rules:
- Avoid the kitchen sink: “Wash the bowls outside (dedicated bin), in the dishwasher (last, with initial cold cycle then hot), or in a separate sink/bin”;
- Proceed in order:
“First rinse the bowls in cold water (this prevents biofilm), rub with neutral dishwashing liquid in hot water, rinse thoroughly, then dry in the open air with a sponge or a dedicated cloth; - Consider weekly disinfection: diluted white vinegar (1/4, 10-15 min), baking soda, or diluted bleach (rinsed)but never without rinsing for residual toxins”;
- Finally, clean after every meal the food bowls, once or twice a week the water bowl. Every month, vending machines and toys.