A short podcast about everyday risks from germs

ChatGPT image description: A fluffy orange cat sits on a kitchen floor, squinting and wrinkling its nose in clear disgust at a stainless steel water bowl filled with cloudy, debris-laden water. The cat’s expression conveys strong refusal, as if judging the water unfit to drink.

896. Not Washing a Cats Water Bowl for a Week

March 02, 2026 by Don Schaffner

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from not washing a pets water bowl for a week.

Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼
Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼

How Often Should You Wash Dog Bowls for Food and Water?
Clean the Germiest Home Items | NSF
Pet feeding habits and the microbiological contamination of dog food bowls: effect of feed type, cleaning method and bowl material - PubMed
Survey evaluation of dog owners’ feeding practices and dog bowls’ hygiene assessment in domestic settings | PLOS One