Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs bowl, what’s reasonable?

171 replies

dogsbowl · 05/02/2026 20:05

Terribly exciting topic, I know! The vet asked me how often I wash the dogs water bowl and I said it goes through the dishwasher on its own once a week. He said that was really not enough and it should be done every day. So do you?

OP posts:
NewsOfMidLevelPortent · 05/02/2026 20:35

Did the vet say why it needed cleaning daily, specifically? Seems odd that it just came up unless in connection with a problem. Dental issues? Illness in the dog? Not drinking enough water?

PollyBell · 05/02/2026 20:35

Don't have a dog but I would do it daily if I did same with our dishes

TheeNotoriousPIG · 05/02/2026 20:34

Your vet would faint if he saw the state of the bowls of some farm dogs. They might get the occasional rinse out, if they're lucky, but after that, no chance! Those dogs are still alive, and hardier than most!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/02/2026 20:33

The bowl? Maybe once a week
the wheelbarrow full of water in the garden that she, and two cats drink out of? Never 🤣

Cosyblankets · 05/02/2026 20:32

You put a dishwasher on for one bowl?

Silverbirchleaf · 05/02/2026 20:31

Silverbirchleaf · 05/02/2026 20:08

I don’t wash my dog bowl out that frequently… , and he prefers a puddle.

Sorry, food bowl gets washed after every meal, but water bowl doesn’t.

Summerbay23 · 05/02/2026 20:29

My dog actually prefers the semi muddy, rainwater bowl outside than her lovely one in the kitchen and seems to be happy enough. She loves a muddy puddle too.

Lemondrizzle4A · 05/02/2026 20:28

Wash water and food bowls twice a day before meals.

Wildrobin · 05/02/2026 20:25

I wash food bowls twice a day and water less often but when I do i soak in bleach with soapy hot water as once read something about biofilm or something

mindutopia · 05/02/2026 20:23

Probably about every week. Same as her food bowl. It gets washed when it starts looking a bit grim. I haven’t killed her yet, so I’m sure it’s fine.

RappelChoan · 05/02/2026 20:21

I used to put the dogs bowl in the dishwasher every night. In the morning I filled the clean bowl with water, emptied his water from his other bowl and filled that one with food. At the end of the day the food bowl would go in the dishwasher and the water bowl stay out if he wanted a drink overnight but it meant they were never dirty.

goldenhunter · 05/02/2026 20:21

We have loads of those stainless steel type bowls. Fresh water one out each day, and fresh one for each meal. They go through the dishwasher though which apparently is disgusting 😅

Glitchymn1 · 05/02/2026 20:20

Once a day for bowls. Clean bedding once a week.
The water bowl is always slimy from spit I presume, or bits of food/hair 😆 she’s a messy girl!

redboxer321 · 05/02/2026 20:18

Well I'm a bloody mucky pup! I just swill her water bowl. Will change my ways. Thanks OP.

CashewTiara · 05/02/2026 20:16

Water bowl every day and food bowl after each meal (twice a day)

BrendaSmall · 05/02/2026 20:15

I used to wash my dogs food and water bowls every day and washed his bed every week when he was with us 😢
How often do you wash your cups & plates??
No difference

DisforDarkChocolate · 05/02/2026 20:09

I wash them both every morning. I thought this was normal. She may want to eat poo but she deserves a clean bowl!

Silverbirchleaf · 05/02/2026 20:08

I don’t wash my dog bowl out that frequently… , and he prefers a puddle.

CelticSilver · 05/02/2026 20:07

The cats' water bowl gets a swish out every morning with fresh water, and a proper clean once a week.

Does he know dogs drink out of puddles/fishponds/rockpools/the toilet given half the chance?

UnimatrixZeroOne · 05/02/2026 20:06

I wash my dog's water bowl every day.

dogtot · 05/02/2026 20:06

rinsed out every day but washed probably same as you