Serratia Marcescens has been known to cause infection and even pneumonia. And even if you don’t see the dreaded pink stuff, it doesn’t mean your dog’s water bowl is safe from ick. Yeast, mold, and coliform bacteria (which includes Salmonella and E. coli) have been found in dog bowls according to the NSF study. And this all goes TRIPLE for our dog’s food bowls. The fat found in food is a breeding ground paradise for bacteria. That’s one cute bacterium. No, I don’t think your dog will get mad cow disease, Ebola, or SARS, but we all (especially our pups!) could benefit from being a little more diligent with our dog bowl hygiene. The most common form of cleaning, and the method I am embarrassed to say I most often implemented before doing some research, is the ole hot water rinse. I thought a good scrub of hot water, with a non-soapy sponge (was it stupid of me to think my dog would taste soap in his water, when I clean my own dishes with soap but never complain about a sudsy after taste? Yes, yes it was…) was suitable.
Also, be sure not to use an abrasive sponge when cleaning; remember, we’re trying to avoid scratches and grooves. Baking soda is also a great cleaning agent. And if you have the means, just throw those bowls into the dishwasher! The level of cleanliness will make up for all the times our dogs sneakily drink out of the other kind of bowl…
And about that bacteria… it’s nazty, and your dog bowl is teeming with it. Perhaps the most common, and certainly most recognizable is Serratia Marcescens, also known as that “pink stuff.”
A 2011 study conducted by NSF International looked into the germiest, dirtiest, and grimiest places in our homes and coming in fourth place was, you guessed it, our pet’s water bowls.
Soon you’ll have dog bowls so clean YOU can eat off them (which might be a good rule of thumb dew claw!)
What is the Pink Stuff in my Toilet, Shower or Pet’s Dish?
From the American Water Works Association, Opflow Article: Question of the Month, page 3, November 2000. Water Quality Bulletin, Woodinville Water District, Woodinville
Each year, a few customers call the water treatment plant to ask about a slimy pink substance that sometimes forms in moist areas around their homes. They most frequently observe it in the toilet bowls, on surfaces in shower stalls and bathtub enclosures, on tiles, in sinks and in pet water dishes.
A red or pink pigmented bacteria known as Serratia marcescens is thought to be the cause of the pink “stuff”. Serratia bacteria are common inhabitants of our environment and can be found in many places, including human and animal feces, dust, soil, and in surface waters. The bacteria will grow in any moist location where phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances accumulate. Sources of these substances include soap residues in bathing areas, feces in toilets, soap and food residues in pet water dishes. Many times, the pinkish film appears during and after new construction or remodeling activities. Others have indicated the pink “stuff” occurs during a time of year that their windows are open for the majority of the day.
These airborne bacteria can come from any number of naturally occurring sources, and the condition can be further aggravated if customers remove the chlorine from their water by way of an activated carbon filter. Serratia can also grow in tap water in locations such as toilets in guest bathrooms where the water is left standing long enough for the chlorine residual disinfectant to dissipate. Serratia will not survive in chlorinated drinking water.
Serratia marcescens is not known to cause any waterborne diseases. Members of the Serratia genus was once known as harmless organisms that produced a characteristic red pigment. More recently, Serratia marcescens has been found to be pathogenic to some people, having been identified as a cause of urinary tract infections, would infections, and pneumonia in hospital environments.
Once established, the organism usually cannot be eliminated entirely. However, periodic and thorough cleaning of the surfaces where the pink slime occurs, followed by disinfection with chlorine bleach appears to be the best way to control it.
What are the Risks to Pets?
The biofilm on your pet’s bowls could contain algae, bacteria and fungi that come from stuff your pet licks or eats while out walking or in the yard, in addition to his food, says Joseph Kinnarney, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. This isn’t limited to dog and cat dishes–biofilm can form on pet bowls for parrots, rodents, reptiles and any others who rely on a bowl, dish or bottle for food and water.
Periodontal diseases are the number one health problem in small animals. By just two years of age, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal diseases.
Bacteria that form biofilm cause dental plaque formation that leads to dental calculus formation, periodontal diseases, dental caries and systemic diseases.
Biofilm bacteria can also cause systemic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, urinary tract infections and chronic kidney disease in pets (especially in cats).
How To Clean Your Pets Water Bowls
Scuzzy, cloudy, grimy…none of these are adjectives you want near your pets’ water or food bowl. Despite this, sometimes the cleaning routine slips away from you and you find yourself looking at a bowl definitely in need of a scouring. Let’s take a look at what happens when you don’t clean your bowl regularly, and whether it is anything to get your fur mussed over.
The reason why your dog’s water bowl looks so gross after a few days is due to something called biofilm. When enough bacteria get together, they create a slimy substance that allows them to stick to their surroundings better. Unfortunately, water in the bowl, protein from dropped food, and the constant supply of fresh bacteria from licking creates the perfect environment for biofilm growth. When left a few days, the inside of the bowl starts to look pink, cloudy, brown or green. This means biofilm is growing.
Bacteria can be present without showing up as biofilm, but the presence of biofilm means there is a high population of bacteria in the bowl. In both food and water bowls biofilm typically looks slimy and discolored, but it can be colorless as well.
The bacteria that can be found in the bowl can cause, or make worse, many different types of illnesses. The pink slime so many people are familiar with is Serratia marcescens, which can cause wound infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Many E. coli strains love growing in both food and water bowls, which is responsible for diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Salmonella, like the bacteria found on chicken and fish, can also cause similar symptoms. These, and many others, are what is lurking in your pets’ food and water bowl when left alone too long.
These bacteria find their way into pet bowls in various ways. Your pet uses their mouths like hands; carrying, tasting, and licking everything as a way to interact with the world. That means the normal bacteria present in a pet’s mouth can include all of these and more, but in very small and isolated numbers. When drinking or eating, the bacteria in their mouth are introduced into the perfect environment to multiply rapidly. This danger to your pet and your health can only be stopped with regular cleaning.
The number one concern of pet owners when picking out equipment for their pet is; how will it look in my space and how easy is it to maintain? In order to avoid helping these nasty organisms grow in your home, however, buying a bowl that will inhibit biofilm should be the number one concern.
While many owners prefer plastic bowls, the healthiest material is actually metal, glass, or ceramic. All of these materials are too dense for bacteria to grow into and do not scratch, both qualities that make the bowls easier to clean and bacteria growth less likely. Plastic bowls pick up tiny scratches with regular use, which promote bacteria growth and make them harder to clean correctly. It is important to keep in mind that fountain style water bowls promote healthy water consumption, but the charcoal filters typically included in this style do not filter out bacteria and still need frequent cleaning.
In addition to picking out a snazzy bowl in the right material, frequent washing and refreshing of water is necessary. Just like the cereal bowl, both the food and water dishes just need a quick scrub with dish soap, and the water refilled, every day to ensure the bacteria doesn’t have a chance to take hold. While the pet professionals at Furry Footsteps, LLC take care of this step when they come for a visit that may include feeding, it’s important to check the bowl every day to make sure an extra scrub isn’t necessary.
Worried about the cleanliness in your bowls, or suddenly realize it’s been a while since you ran them through the dishwasher? Don’t worry, this service and many others is just one of the many tasks Furry Footsteps, LLC can take care of during their visits. Give a call today or speak with your pet professional to discuss this part of their routine, and how it can benefit your pet.