When was the last time you cleaned the automatic pet feeder?
A survey found that 20% of pet owners clean their pet feeder once per month. If that’s you, no personal judgment.
It’s great that you found this article because it piques your curiosity. Like humans, cats or dogs also require clean food and water feeder or bowl EVERY SINGLE DAY. Let’s dig in to learn why
Germs Hide in Dirty Feeder
Pet bowls were discovered to be the fourth-most contaminated item in the homes that a safety and health organization examined. Only three of the 30 tested household items—kitchen sponges, sinks, and toothbrush holders—contained higher levels of bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Would you let your family members use your kitchen sponge as utensils? No! It is our duty as pet parents to provide our pets with hygienic feeders so they can eat happily and remain healthy.
How Did These Germs Get Here?
Similar to human food, pet food can become contaminated by dangerous bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and many more if it is left out too long.
Microbes that typically reside in your pet’s mouth can be transferred to the feeder or bowl because pets eat and drink directly from them. Bacteria can thrive in an environment created by leftover food and saliva.
The pet feeders themselves might be a source of bacteria. Pet feeders are usually made of plastic and ceramic, they can develop scratches and grooves where bacteria can hide. Even scrubbing can’t reach the teeny crevices to sanitize them. Because of this, bacteria from the bowl’s cracks could get onto your cat’s food and then onto him when he eats the next time.
Even if your pet’s feeder appears empty after eating, it may not actually be clean. Ever feel a plastic feeder or bowl’s perimeter covered in a slimy substance? It’s referred to as biofilm. Bacteria from unfinished food and saliva form biofilms when they come into contact. It releases an offensive odor and has the potential to make your pet sick.
Stainless Steel Automatic Pet Feeders Are Preferable to Plastic or Ceramic
We weighed the advantages and disadvantages of each material used in pet feeders to assign a grade for overall safety. Tiny cracks and crevices, even sometimes invisible to the human eye, are common in ceramic and plastic feeders, which make them difficult to completely sanitize and serve as bacterial breeding grounds.
In opposition to this, since stainless steel has a hard, non-porous surface, bacteria cannot adhere to it. Also more probable to be dishwasher safe for a thorough clean are stainless steel feeders.
How Often Should I Change my Pet’s Food and Water Feeder Bowl?
EVERY DAY, give your pet a clean bowl of food. If your cat or dog is on a raw food diet, you might want to wash the bowls or give them a fresh one after each feeding.
Ideally, but at least every two days, change your pet’s water and water bowl every day.
Choose a Cat Feeder That Prevents Whisker Fatigue
Even if a bowl is marked “for cats,” it could still be excessively deep or steep for cats. If a dish is excessively deep, a cat’s delicate whiskers will rub against the bowl’s sides, wearing them out. Cats who experience whisker tiredness cease eating, leaving behind unfinished meals. The leftover food could then serve as a haven for microorganisms.
So, make sure you choose an automatic pet feeder which has a wide and shallow design bowl to prevent whisker fatigue.
Talking about stainless steel and whisker fatigue, a company called Wopet comes to mind as their FT30 Feeder is made of stainless steel and is whisker friendly.
FAQ’s
# Can you put wet food in an automatic pet feeder?
Wet food cannot be left out like dry food can, and wet food is incompatible with many automatic feeders.
# How long can you leave a cat with an automatic feeder?
Automatic feeders can malfunction or stop working; your cat might tip it over, or the batteries could run out. Therefore, even with all of the technological advances, I wouldn’t advise letting your cat alone for longer than 24 hours without someone checking in on them.
# Are automatic pet feeders worth it?
In general, automatic pet feeders function properly and do their intended tasks. Automatic feeders can be an excellent choice for busy days or brief vacations if your pet thrives on a dry food diet and you are acquainted with their eating habits. A feeder should never, however, take your place of you.
# Can more than one cat share an automatic pet feeder?
Although multiple cats can share an automatic feeder, you should consider getting one for each cat separately.
# Is an automatic dog feeder good for dogs?
Automatic feeders are excellent for dogs that are overweight because they dispense food in sensible portions and at the right times, preventing your dog from overeating or eating too quickly.
Final Thoughts
Many pet owners opened out to us and admitted that they weren’t cleaning their animals’ food bowls & automatic pet feeder as frequently as they should. We wrote this essay because we have this understanding.
Hope you now have a better understanding of what might develop on pet feeder bowls, why that is dangerous, how to choose a more hygienic pet bowl, and how to clean them.
Giving pets clean water dishes daily will keep your infants healthy and content. Furthermore, they ought to eat from clean plates!
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