Good Lifestyle

If you refer toYour pet As a "child", you are certainly not alone. About 80% of American animal owners consider their animalfamily member, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). As with a child, you probably spend a lot of time cleaning after your family member in fur. But it is more than the simple fact of moving toys where they belong or to collect the litter of your cat. You should also practice good hygiene for your pet's food. We have consulted experts to know how often you should really clean your pet bowls. Read the rest to find out if you keep your pet and the rest of your cleaning.

Read this then:The biggest error made by new animal owners, veterinarians say.

A study of veterinary nutritionists from the North Carolina State Universityrecently broke down The dangers of the Sales company bowls. According to research, which was published on April 6Plos a, "The handling of pet food and hygiene practices of food dishes can have harmful health impacts for humans and pets", in particular in terms of growth and exposure of bacteria.

"Animal feed involves interaction between pets, the owner and food," the researchers wrote. "This interaction creates the opportunity for mutual exchange of microbial contaminants of food or water, dishes and the storage or food preparation environment, which can cause health consequences for humans and pets. "

Many owners do not realize that pet bowls are one of the places most filled with germs in their house,Madelyn Harris, a leading dog and contributor forDOODLE DOG CLUB, recountBetter life. According to Harris, these dishes can contain bacteria likeE.coli WhereSalmonella, as well as other pathogens such as mold and yeast. "Because of this, you should wash your pet and water bowls more frequently than you think," she said.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

AccordingDiana Ludwiczak, aCertified dog coach In New York, animal bowls must actually be cleaned every day. "You wouldn't eat your food on a dish that has not been washed, so why would it be fine for your family members?" Ludwiczak asks.

Of course, it is not only a question of treating your pet like any other family member. As Ludwiczak explains, the bacteria of food debris accumulate on pet bowls if they are not cleaned daily - and if the bacteria have contaminated these dishes, you will not even know.

"The accumulation of bacteria is not something that we can see with our eyes - it's microscopic," she warns. "Your animal can become sick due to the constant ingestion of bacteria in their food bowl. Pets often lick their humans too, so make sure they eat outside a clean bowl will mean that fewer germs are propagated to you. "

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To clean your pet bowls daily,Crystal Litzenberger, aveterinary Who has been training in New York for over 20 years, just recommends washing it like any other dish: "Use flat soap, take a sponge and put yourself at work," she said.

Some experts say you can also throw your pet's dish into your dishwasher, butLinda Simon, MVB, a veterinary surgeon and aConsultant veterinarian For five barks, saysBetter lifeShe advises this method.According to Simon, the dishwasher often ends up cleaning up the bowls carefully, and "the residues can be left".

Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA)has official guidelines For animal owners when it comes to managing their food safely and cleaning their bowls. The only problem? Most Americans are not aware of it. According toPlos a The study, less than 5% of people knew that there were guidelines to follow. The daily cleaning of pet bowls is one of the FDA recommendations, but due to the general lack of knowledge on these tips, researchers found that only 12% of dog owners often wash the bowls of their pets.

The agency's directives also indicate that the owners should wash their own hands before handling pet food and using a clean food scoop to protect their pets from foods of food. According to the study, only 22% follow the recommendation of hand washing and only 13% clean the utensils they use to collect pet food after each use.

Emily Luisiana, DVM, the main author of the study and aveterinary nutritionist At the Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., said in a statement that the study had been launched after she and her colleagues realized that there were in fact FDA directives on the issue. "We realized that when it was a question of Our own animals , we all had food storage and animal hygiene practices, "said Luisiana, according to Aarp." Animal owners should know that animal food bowls can shelter bacteria and that recommendations exist to minimize this risk. ""