How to keep your pet’s water clean

Back in the day it may have been common to see pets drinking from old, scratched plastic bowls or buckets, often coated inside with a visible greenish film – eugh!

Nowadays, we realise that this kind of poor hygiene can put cats and dogs at risk of contracting potentially serious illnesses, which can then pose a significant human health risk too. We also understand the importance of staying healthily hydrated, particularly in the Australian heat.

For this reason, we present Healthy Pet Hydration 101; a waterfall of information on choosing the right water bowl for your pet, how to clean and sanitise it properly, and extra steps that you can take to avoid pet and human health risks from contaminated water.

Why clean water matters for your pet’s health

Maintaining adequate hydration is essential for your pet’s health, as it’s crucial for maintaining their key bodily functions.

Frequent or significant dehydration can put your pet at risk of conditions such as:

• Overheating, resulting in heatstroke
• Urinary health issues, such as kidney or bladder stones
• Constipation
• Cardiovascular shock (inadequate blood flow around the body), which can affect multiple organs

Just as important as providing your pet with sufficient water is ensuring that it’s clean water. Even water that looks clear can contain harmful pathogens, such as disease-causing species of bacteria and algae.

Risks of contaminated water

Bacteria and other microbes in water bowls can come from:

• The water itself, particularly if it’s not filtered or boiled (while it’s usually safe to drink, water from our kitchen taps does naturally contain some microbes)
• Your pet’s mouth – with human reusable water bottles being shown to contain startling amounts of bacteria after just 24 hours of usage, you can imagine what would be present in your pet’s bowl!
• Your pet’s paws (if they like to playfully paw at their water)
• Any contaminants that fall into the water, such as bird droppings, rodent urine, or soil in outdoor bowls

While many microbes are harmless or even beneficial, inadequately cleaned dog water bowls are more likely to harbour species that can be harmful to both pets and people, such as:

• Certain species of E.coli and Salmonella
• MRSA bacteria
• Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)
• Leptospirosis

If your pet’s water bowl develops a biofilm (that thin, clear, slimy layer that forms over the wet surfaces), this can harbour bacteria particularly effectively and is more resistant to disinfectants too.

And remember; whatever your pet is drinking, you as a human family member or pet parent can also be exposed to as well. This exposure can occur through the water bowl acting as a fomite (harbouring contaminants that we then contact when we handle the bowl), or direct contact, such as your pet having a drink and then giving you a big wet lick! This risk can be particularly significant for immunocompromised individuals (people with reduced immunity due to certain health conditions).

Choosing the best water bowl: materials and safety tips

Plastic bowls are not recommended for pets for several reasons. Firstly, they often develop scratches over time, which can provide perfect nooks for bacteria and biofilm to accumulate in. Secondly, many plastic bowls are not resistant to heat, which prevents hot water from being used for easy and effective sanitisation. And lastly, certain types of plastic can release harmful chemicals such as phthalates and BPA.

In general, bowls made of stainless steel or ceramic tend to be the safest option, as these are non-porous materials (unless dented/chipped) and are also heat resistant for easy sanitisation.

Additionally, you could also consider offering your pet a ceramic or stainless-steel pet drinking fountain, as the constant water circulation and filtering can help to maintain better water quality, and some pets prefer to drink moving water anyway. Just pick an easy-to-clean model or you’ll be back to square one.

How often and how to clean your pet’s water bowl

It’s safest to clean your pet’s water bowl daily, using hot water, a mild dish detergent, and a designated pet bowl scrubbing brush. Ensure you scrub all surfaces of the bowl and check it for any damaged areas which may necessitate replacement. This routine will help to prevent the formation of that icky biofilm layer, and will ensure that you are refilling your pet’s bowl with fresh water each day too.

To be extra safe (particularly if anyone in the house is immunocompromised), it’s also a good idea to do a more intensive clean once weekly. If your pet’s bowl is dishwasher safe, you could put it through a sanitisation cycle on the top rack of the dishwasher. Otherwise, you can leave it soaking for 10-15 minutes in either hot water and mild detergent, or a vinegar soak (1:1 water to white vinegar ratio), and then rinse it thoroughly and allow it to air dry before refilling it.

If you notice a slimy biofilm or an odour when you’re cleaning your pet’s water bowl, you need to thoroughly deep clean it (or replace it if it’s not fully cleanable) and then step up your cleaning routine in the future.

To remove mineral deposits, which are more likely to form if you live in an area with hard water, you can either do a vinegar soak as above for 30+ minutes before scrubbing, or use baking soda and water to make a paste to scrub with (leaving the paste on for 15-20 minutes first), rinsing the bowl well after.

For pet water fountains with filters, ensure you change the water daily, and perform a thorough clean at least once weekly (or as per the manufacturer’s instructions), taking the unit apart and using hot water, mild detergent (or vinegar mix) and a small scrubbing brush to get into all the crevices. If you have a multi-pet household or your pet is particularly dribbly, you may need to do this more often. Filter cartridges usually require replacement every 2-4 weeks, but once again, check out the manufacturer’s recommendations for your particular unit.

Extra tips to minimise water contamination risk

Even the best cleaning routines can be negated by placing your pet’s bowl in an inappropriate location. Warm conditions exacerbate microbial growth, so ensure that your pet’s bowl isn’t placed in a spot that receives direct sunlight.

It’s also strongly recommended to take additional sanitation precautions if anyone in the house is immunocompromised. As well as using a separate scrubbing brush for cleaning your pet’s bowls, you may wish to use a different sink (such as the laundry sink) or thoroughly disinfect the sink after cleaning your pet’s bowl in it.

And, it should go without saying, but only offer your pet water that you yourself would feel safe drinking. Even if they do sometimes make questionable drinking choices when left to their own devices, such as drinking from that dodgy-looking puddle on a walk!

With the right bowl and a thorough cleaning routine, you’ll be helping to keep your pet hydrated and healthy. Discover how to choose, clean, and sanitise their water bowl – and protect them from hidden health risks. Plus, take the next step in protecting your pet’s health, and consider whether Buddy Pet Insurance may be an ideal option for your situation.

23 Jan 2026