Your dog's bowl looks clean because they lick it spotless, but if you run a finger across the bottom, you'll often feel a slippery layer. Knowing how to clean a dog bowl and how often to wash your dog's bowl helps stop that film of saliva, grease and leftovers from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Here's a simple routine and how to clean each type of material.
In this article:
- Why it needs cleaning
- How often to wash your dog's bowl
- How to clean a dog bowl step by step
- Can it go in the dishwasher?
- How to clean your dog's water bowl
- Which material is easiest to clean
- Frequently asked questions
Why it needs cleaning even if it looks clean
Every time your dog eats, they leave saliva and grease in the bowl. Over a few hours, a thin, slimy layer called biofilm forms. It sticks to the surface and protects bacteria from tap water. That's why a quick rinse isn't enough: you have to scrub. The US health agency, the FDA, recommends washing food bowls and the utensils you use to serve the food with hot soapy water after each use.
How often to wash your dog's bowl
It depends on what they eat:
| What goes in it | When to wash it |
|---|---|
| Dry food | Ideally after every meal; at least once a day |
| Wet or home-cooked food | After every meal |
| Water | Empty, wash and refill every day |
| Water fountain | Parts and filter, as per the manufacturer's instructions |
A very common mistake is adding fresh food on top of the leftovers: the scraps at the bottom stay there for days. If there's food left over, throw it away and wash the bowl before the next meal. If you're not sure how many meals your dog needs, our guide on how many times a day a dog should eat breaks it down by age.
How to clean a dog bowl step by step
- Empty it and remove any leftovers. Throw away whatever's left.
- Hot water and soap. Your usual washing-up liquid is fine, with a sponge kept just for your dog's things, not the one you use for the family's dishes.
- Scrub where the dirt hides. The bottom, the join between the base and the sides, and the outer rim. If the bowl has ridges, an old toothbrush will reach every nook.
- Rinse really well. There shouldn't be any trace of soap left.
- Dry before serving. With a clean tea towel or by leaving it to air-dry.
- Once a week, give it an extra clean. Soak the bowl for about 15 minutes in hot water with a good splash of white vinegar, scrub and rinse thoroughly.
Avoid concentrated bleach and scented products: the smell may put your dog off the bowl, and any residue would end up in their food.
Can you put a dog bowl in the dishwasher?
Yes, if the manufacturer says it's dishwasher-safe. A university study published in 2022, which put the FDA guidelines to the test, found that bowls washed in the dishwasher or with hot water were left with fewer bacteria than those washed with cold or lukewarm water. Choose a hot programme and, if you'd rather not mix it with your dishes, run it on a separate load.
Bowls with ridges, such as a slow feeder bowl, especially benefit from the dishwasher, because the water jets usually reach the gaps better than a sponge. Ours is made of silicone, is dishwasher-safe and will be available soon at Velia Select. If you're not sure whether your dog needs one, we explain it in how to choose a slow feeder and use it well.
How to clean your dog's water bowl
The water bowl is where the slimy layer appears first. If your finger slides across the bottom, it's already there. To clean your dog's water bowl:
- Empty it every day, wash it with hot soapy water, rinse and refill with fresh water. Don't just top it up.
- If it's on the patio or in the garden, keep it in the shade: in the sun, green slime and algae appear sooner.
- Once a week, give it the same vinegar soak as the food bowl.
Which material is easiest to clean
| Material | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Doesn't absorb smells and can go in the dishwasher | Without a rubber base, it slides around |
| Glazed ceramic | Heavy and stable | If it cracks, replace it |
| Plastic | Cheap and light | Scratches easily and dirt collects in the scratches |
| Silicone | Flexible, ideal for ridged designs | Check that it's dishwasher-safe |
If you see deep scratches, cracks or a smell that won't wash out, it's time to replace it. In our pet products section, we keep adding easy-to-clean options.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use bleach to clean a dog bowl?
There's no need. For everyday cleaning, hot water, soap and a good scrub are enough. If you ever do use bleach, make sure it's very diluted and rinse extremely well.
Why does my dog's water bowl get slimy?
That's biofilm, a layer that bacteria form from saliva and bits that fall into the water. Rinsing alone won't get rid of it: you need to scrub it every day with hot soapy water.
How often should you replace your dog's bowl?
There's no set date. Replace it when it has deep scratches, cracks or chips, or a smell that won't go away. Plastic bowls are usually the first to wear out.
Cleaning your dog's bowl properly takes two minutes a day, and you'll notice it in how your kitchen smells and in your dog's wellbeing: keep their sponge handy and make washing up part of every meal.