How To Keep Algae Out Of Dog Food? (5 Tips)

When getting a dog, it is important to know that dogs are a lot of work unlike other pets such as cats. This means that there will be a lot more cleaning and grooming involved. The cost of buying food will also increase as you have to buy dog food and more things like supplements.

 

There is also the case of getting algae in dog food. Algae do grow on dog food if the conditions are conducive for its growth. Algae require normal plant-growing requirements such as light and humidity. When this happens, it is important to find out what you can do to change it.

 

Below is a better explanation of everything you need to know once you find algae growing in your dog’s food or feeding containers and ways to prevent it.

 

Why do algae grow in dog food bowls?

 

Most times, algae usually grow in the bowls that contain the dog’s food and water.

 

Below are the conditions that allow for the growth of algae in bowls that are used to feed your dog:

 

  • Having water that is not fresh in the bowls for a long time.
  • Leaving uneaten dog food in the bowls for a long time.
  • Not cleaning the feeding containers or bowls for your dog.
  • Placing your dog’s container outside where it is exposed to harsh weather where it can easily get algae or all other types of harmful substances.

 

What are the side-effects of your dog ingesting algae together with their food?

microscopic algae

Some algae are poisonous; the ones that have blue-green color.

They are known as cyanobacteria.

They contain toxins known as cyanotoxins which make them poisonous.

 

Note: Not all blue-green algae contain those toxins but it is impossible to tell the difference with the naked eye.

 

This means you should always ensure that algae are not in your dog’s food or food containers,

Here are some symptoms you should look for to know whether your dog has ingested some of the algae:

 

  • Your dog may be experiencing some difficulties in breathing.
  • Experiencing diarrhea and vomiting.
  • Your dog may have some blood in its stool.
  • Your dog may start to drool excessively.
  • The dog may be experiencing seizures and comas.
  • Your dog may also get jaundice; which is the yellowing of the skin and the eyes.

 

Apart from the symptoms listed above; this algae is fatal and can cause death.

 

 

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What about the other types of algae?

The other type of algae that grows in dog food and feeding bowls is not always toxic but it can because of certain diseases and stomach upsets in your dogs.

This means, to avoid unnecessary trips to the vet for your dog, it is always good to maintain cleanliness when it comes to your dogs’ feeding containers.

 

What should you do when you realize that algae are growing in your dog’s food?

cleaning tools

It is important to know that when it gets to the point where there are algae, it is usually a cleanliness problem.

It is mainly because the water or the contents of the feeding bowls have not been regularly changed as often as they should.

Cleanliness is always extremely important when it comes to preventing the growth of algae anywhere near dog food or their feeding containers.

Below are some pointers that can help you out as a dog owner to avoid the above problem.

 

Tip #01

The first thing you ought to do to place your dog’s feeding containers in a clean place at least slightly indoors.

This makes it easier to always clean them and ensure that no foreign objects or animals get into them.

 

Tip #02

When replacing the food or water in the containers, it is very important to make sure that the bowls are cleaned regularly, before every meal to prevent algae from growing on the remaining dog food or the bowl itself.

The bowls should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and rinsed with clean water to ensure that the food also remains fresh.

 

Tip #03

When it comes to water containers, it is important to do the same wash for them as well.

Despite them containing only water, they have to be cleaned as properly as food containers.

 

Tip #04

It is never okay to refill the water container when it previously contains water.

That is going to be very unhygienic for your dog.

One has to pour the water that was remaining first.

The water should also not stay for more than some hours a day and should be changed very regularly and the bowl cleaned after every water change.

 

Tip #05

It is also advisable to use metallic containers as feeding containers as opposed to plastic containers.

This is because plastic containers have some small spaces that allow microorganisms to breed.

 

What else is important to know when it comes to algae and your dog food?

Apart from the food containers spreading the algae to your dog’s food, your dog’s food may also get algae and other micro-organisms when the food is not stored correctly.

  • Food should be stored in dry conditions away from sunlight. This is because these are conditions that favor the growth of algae in dog food.
  • The place the food is being stored should also not be damp but rather a dry place. This is because damp places allow for the growth of algae and even the entry of other aflatoxins that could make your dog get sick.
  • It is advisable to divide t food into portions so that incase one portion goes bad, you still have food for your dog.
  • It is also good to store their food in an airtight container so s to prevent the entry of bacteria. This allows the food to retain its freshness for a longer time.
  • If the dog food is easily perishable, freezing could be a good option to prevent it from spoiling.

 

Conclusion

It is therefore important to know that algae growing in dog food and dog containers is most times a result of uncleanliness and how the food is stored.

So it is always advisable to maintain a high level of cleanliness when it comes to your dogs’ feeding containers and good storage methods of storing their food as well.

 

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Russel

A pet owner who loves to share useful facts and information about a variety of animals.