The bowl my dogs eat from always seems to stick. Does dog saliva contain anything that causes this? Or is it just leftover dog food that has reacted with the saliva?
Answer
Hi Liz,
It is normal for a sticky layer to form on your dogs bowls. This is not because of the food, but indirectly because of the saliva of the dogs. There are certain bacteria in a dog’s mouth and tongue that can bind to each other and to a surface. So after your dog has licked his bowl, those bacteria bind to the bowl. If these remain, they multiply and form a so-called biofilm. That biofilm is the sticky layer you feel on the bowls.
A biofilm can form quite quickly, so it is important to clean the bowls daily with warm water and some soap. You can also clean them more thoroughly every week by putting them in the dishwasher, for example. This way you prevent that sticky layer and also the chance that bad bacteria will develop in that biofilm that can make your dog sick.
Hopefully this answers your question!
Greetings,
Evy
Answered by
Evy Beckers
Genetic disorders in dogs.
http://www.ugent.be
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