How often should I clean my Cat's water and dry food bowls?

Question

I top off the food and change the water daily. He never seems to eat much though.

FYI, Baxter is 10, I've kind of inherited him, and I do like him very much or I wouldn't ask.

Answer 1

I certainly don't think you need to clean them out once a day. Cats that are that picky are only that picky because their owners get them used to it. I would say once a week is reasonable (assuming you feed him dry food, of course!). Also, make sure you are cleaning it out with a cleaner that is completely cat-safe. A lot of chemicals in cleaning supplies are not, and also tend to bother cat's sensitive senses. If you are cleaning his bowls with something that leaves a chemical marking on it, or a certain smell he doesn't like, this may be why he doesn't want to hang around them too often. A lot of the time I just use very hot water and maybe some mild cleaner recommended by my vet.
He also may not be eating much because of the food you are feeding him. I fed my kitten Iams for about 2 months and she barely ever ate. I switched her diet to Natural Balance and now she eats probably a third more than she ever did on Iams, and Natural Balance is healthier too!

Answer 2

Your cat really need a a clean food bowl at the beginning of every day.
The meal residue soon gets tainted, and putting new food on top of that will not mask the smell, and cats will not eat food that is tainted in any way....

Keep spare bowls, and just use the new bowl, and put the used one aside to wash later. Its not necessary to race around cleaning bowls every time the cat wants to eat, you'd spend your life doing nothing else! LOL.

Cats don't seem to eat much, they have small stomachs, so really they graze all day, thats why they should have food available all the time, not just meal times.
Also, I use a treated concrete water bowl, it keeps the water really cold, and fresh, and give it a good scrub out once a week.

Answer 3

It depends on the weather and the place you live. If it's hot and humid, it's a good idea to clean the food bowl every time you give him food because mold builds up. If the weather is dry, once a day is adequate, I think. The water bowl should be refreshed every day because bits of food fall into the water and it's just unpleasant to look at. Also if you live in a dusty area or there is lots of car exhaust coming in through the window, it's best to clean the bowls every time you feed him.

Answer 4

I clean my cat's water bowl twice a week and give him fresh water. The additives in the water can cause a build-up at the bottom of the bowl that feels gross. Also, the longer the water sits the more of the pet's saliva gathers in the water, and makes it less and less fresh and appealing to the pet.
The food dish, I wash and rinse once a week, but put the same food back into it.
Cats appreciate a clean environment

Answer 5

I change the food completely twice a day. I put in as much as they can be expected to eat each time, no more. I change the water twice, and scrub out the bowl ( metal) with a brillo pad once in the morning before filling it. I use paper bowls within heavy plastic bowls for the food, that way all I have to do is throw away the paper bowls and keep the heavy bowls clean feeding after feeding.

Answer 6

Well, clean it about once a week. But, since he never seems to eat much, try wet food. sometimes cats like wet food better. But don't give him all of the wet food at one time. Give him regular dry food, and try mixing in about 1 tbsp-2 tbsp. of wet food. Gradually, very gradually, put in more wet, and less dry. See if that works. But when using wet, I would wash his bowls out every day. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I clean my cats dry food dish once a week. I clean their water and wet food dishes every night

Answer 8

How often do you wash the dishes you eat off of?
An average adult cat only needs 1/4-1/3 cup of food per day but plenty of water.

Answer 9

I vote for every day too. Remember cats have very sensitive noses and their sense of smell is much better than ours. what smells OK to you maybe very off putting to Baxter.
Go to a flea market or a second hand store and buy some cheap little bowls. You are washing your own dishes yes? whats two more a day? For unconditional love?

Answer 10

I would clean it at least once a week. The water bowl can become slimy if it's not cleaned regularly. Never use plastic bowls, use stainless steel.