Your Dog Food Dish and
Water Dish

What are the best dog bowls for your water and dog food dish? Some may leak chemicals into your canine's food. Some harbor bacteria. Here's what you should know to protect your dogs health.

Why a Plastic Dog Water Dish is Bad

Plastic is the worst choice for a dog food dish. It's porous, so it can absorb bacteria, especially if it has been scratched or marred. Same for a water bowl.

Plastic also releases a chemical which the body accepts as estrogen. First it leaches into the food or water, and then into your dog. This is not a good thing.

I learned this from an MD who went into the field of natural hormone replacement therapy for people.

Here is a headline from Science Daily (Mar. 27, 2009): Hormone-Mimics In Plastic Water Bottles Act As Functional Estrogens. Now that is scary stuff. Especially if it is being blamed for an increased risk of breast cancer.

The more the plastic is heated, the more contaminated the food or water inside it becomes. Even a water bottle left in a hot car will have increased water contamination.

Microwaving in plastic containers does the same thing. You don't microwave this way do you? You might want to take a quick peek at Microwave Oven Cooking.

What About a Metal Food Dish?

Much better. As long as its not aluminum. Aluminum is a light metal that can also leach into food or water.

How about a heavy weight metal dog bowl like stainless steel? Yes. I had several metal mixing bowls than turned into dog bowls. They are virtually indestructible. Well, if you don't count my teenage daughter using them for a step stool or a helmet.

The drawback to metal besides teenage girls? Some healthy additions to your dogs food react to the metal. Apple cider vinegar is an example of this. Any additives to your dog's food should be put on top of the food where it won't touch the bowl itself.

The Best Dog Food Dish

Is glass. Yup. I know it's breakable. Still, if I had only one or two dogs I would make the switch. It doesn't absorb anything and it doesn't release anything. It's about as clean as you can get...and boy is it heavy.

Have you ever thought about elevating your dog's bowls? If so, here are some ideas for free stands for Elevated Dog Food Bowls.

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Three Little Pitties Dog Health