Internet Divided Over 'Disgusting' Habit of Putting Pet Bowls in the Dishwasher

A post on a forum asking about pet bowls in the dishwasher has sparked an online debate.

The Mumsnet user wrote – “Pet bowls in dishwasher”

“Do you put cat food/water bowls in the d/w?

“We have a sensor cycle, which is most economic, also a hygiene cycle, which is super hot – think practically boiling. Loathe to use that one all the time. What do you do?”

Members of the forum were soon divided over whether or not it was hygienic.

Yes, All Good!

Some users said Yes, totally fine!

“Why wouldn’t they? Seriously some of the stuff in my dog’s food is better quality than what I eat, it’s all organic etc but sure I put both in and can’t see why not.”

Revolting!

While other users said hell NO that is disgusting.

– “No they just get washed and rinsed then put straight back down.”

– “Omg NO! We once stayed with DH’s family and I saw them, in the morning, taking the pet dishes out of the dishwasher then pull out plates to put our breakfast on. It still fills me with disgust.

We wash out pet dishes separately by hand. I wouldn’t use the same dishcloth on their bowls that I would use on our food prep surfaces so why would I wash their dishes with ours? It’s not the actual pet food that bothers me but the fact they spend half the day licking their butts. Hardly hygienic.”

– “No way. Need to be washed separately.”

– “Nope, never put dog bowls in dishwasher, just wash in sink after other dishes done. I think any germs get circulated.”

– Another said “I can’t bare the thought of that. I’m ok with germs in general but when it comes to animals it freaks me out, seeing dogs on beds makes me want to vom! How can people sleep in beds dogs jave been lying?! Or any animal. I can’t handle the thought of touching a bowl a dogs licked never mind putting it amongst my plates. It seems I’m pretty much alone with this.”

– Another commented, ” No, just the thought makes me want to be sick! I’ve heard of people putting their loo brushes in as well?!?!”

Do you wash the pet bowls separately?

Share your comments below

78 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 21 Nov 2022
    9:22 am
uumm….if your dishwasher is doing its job then ALL the dishes will be clean. If it worries you why are you not worried about other peoples dishes that have been washed in that dishwasher?… why would you ever eat at a resturant ever again?

- - mom385887 said
  - 04 Jul 2021
    8:16 pm
Humans have more bacteria in their mouths than dogs and cats, so I have no problem putting my dogs food bowl in the dishwasher after a hot rinse with water.
- mom478886 replied
  
  30 Jul 2021 , 5:57 am
  I’ve seen my dog eat it’s own poop… that image is too much for me lol. I would probably be more relaxed if I had a less disgusting dog
- - mom133944 said
  - 01 Jul 2021
    6:54 pm
I have used the dishwasher for this when I have had a powerful dishwasher. I currently don’t in my house right now so these get done by hand.

- - mom478886 said
  - 01 Jul 2021
    5:35 am
I suspect my response is more emotional than rational, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it..

- - mom460260 said
  - 29 Jun 2021
    10:20 am
Quick handwash, what’s wrong with that

- - mom465348 said
  - 25 Jun 2021
    10:00 pm
I have a very, very expensive dishwasher that works extremely well so id have no problem with it even tho I dont do it as I never thought about doing it.

- - snazzy007 said
  - 23 Jun 2021
    7:16 am
Animals have different viruses that can be transmitted to humans as seen currently this does not sit right with me

- - smart_ass said
  - 11 Jun 2021
    12:20 pm
each to their own. i prefer to hand wash the dog bowls. but as long as your dishwasher works well/does a good job, don’t see why not – after all a lot more dirtier items go in.

- - Danicastefanie said
  - 09 Jun 2021
    7:36 pm
Depends on how good your dishwasher is. But they can be easily washed separately

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 06 Jun 2021
    3:37 am
I suppose we are all different and will have different opinions on what we want to do here.
I personally wouldn’t but I don’t want to judge those that do that.

- - mom450003 said
  - 05 Jun 2021
    6:33 pm
not sure about this one

- - mom467577 said
  - 03 Jun 2021
    4:32 am
My husband does this. It grossed me out the first time but then I realised that as long as I trust the dishwasher cleaning, then there isn’t an issue. Similar to putting regular clothes onto my nappies wash, if I trust the cleaning process there’s no issue, if I don’t trust the cleaning process then I need to fix the process.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 02 Jun 2021
    11:07 pm
I do it separately.

- - mom112217 said
  - 01 Jun 2021
    8:30 pm
Pet bowls can be handwahed separate please!

- - nadine_hill said
  - 01 Jun 2021
    8:47 am
I wash my pet bowls separately.

- - Ellen said
  - 01 Jun 2021
    7:53 am
I don’t have a dog, but the idea disgusts me

- - Gracey said
  - 01 Jun 2021
    7:39 am
My face actually cringed ???? each to their own but I definitely wouldn’t do it. Use the hose outside ????

- - mom265671 said
  - 31 May 2021
    11:42 pm
Lots of interesting answers here! I personally wouldn’t do it

- - catherines said
  - 31 May 2021
    11:38 pm
I just wash my pet’s bowls separately in the laundry trough. It doesn’t take long. I don’t think putting the pets bowls in the dishwasher is too hygienic
.
- Ellen replied
  
  19 Jun 2021 , 6:23 am
  Yes I would do the same
- - mom460689 said
  - 31 May 2021
    10:14 pm
I would not put any animal food bowls in the dishwasher. I thing it is pretty unhygienic