Plastic Bowls-I was absent that day! UPDATE!

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Call me slow, but I guess missed class the day we discussed not using plastic bowls for our kids. Anyway-I'm on it now! So I went to Petco AND Petsmart today, to discover of course, they only had one stainless steel bowl big enough between the two stores. WTD? But at least they had one! So, now she WILL have one until they get more in stock. She has always had a stainless water dish. LOL, I had special ordered these cool plastic bowls that scooped down in the front that kept her chin clean-anyway-throwing them out now.

BUT-HERE IS MY QUESTION...If the food shouldn't be in the plastic bowl because the bad chemical can be absorbed into the food- what about the plastic container her dry kibble is stored in? Or what about her rubberized toys she plays with including KONGS and squeaky toys and Nylabones, etc? Do they not have the bad chemicals in them?

 

UPDATE-So I bought two KONG stainless steel bowls yesterday at Petsmart-one large one to feed in and one small one for the bathroom water bowl. This morning there was already rust in the water bowl!!! WTD? So they are going back today! How do you know if you are buying stainless that won't rust overnight? I thought KONG would be a good brand. Geesh, rust can kill a dog!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sandy, I have the hardest water imaginable, the droplets leave white marks on the tile above my sink, and it still doesn't cause my stainless bowls and utensils to rust.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Hard water contains calcium and magnesium salts and is not harmful to the best of my knowledge. Aluminum bowls can't rust since rust is by definition iron oxide. My water is extremely hard well water and we all drink it all the time. It tastes fine though.

[Adina P]

Not that you should be satisfied with a rusting bowl, but I don't think rust is inherently dangerous.  Not in the 'rusty nail' sort of way anyway.  F Parker?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree. Rusty nails are culprits because of penetrating wounds and the risk of tetanus spores being in the dirty nail from the soil. Tetanus is no fun but has nothing to do with rust per se. At worst I guess you get a little iron from rust so unless you have an iron over storage problem, unlikely, no harm done.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sandy, I have not read through all the comments, but I was in TJ Maxx today and they had lots of stainless steel bowls. That is all I use for Fudge and Vern and they have never rusted. Good luck! I also run them through the dishwasher very frequently.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I've never used plastic bowls due to nose discoloration and bacteria issues.  But hey, I'm diggin' the Fiestaware idea and think I'll go out and get a few sets - one for eveyday and one for fall, one for Chrsitmas, one for Valentine's and 4th of July, one for St. Paddy's Day......you get the picture!  Think I'll go with the two quart sized bowls as my dogs are large. 

YAY!!!  SHOPPING!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Marnie, I like the way you think!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna has 3 stainless steel bowls for water... one for each floor of the house.  Her food bowl is stainless too. The water bowls are small enough that she can drink about 2-3 times then they're empty - that way we know that her water is always fresh.  

We store her food in one of these IKEA plastic storage bins (ours is clear - it has a lid).  It holds about 15 lb. of food.  We leave the rest of a 30-lb bag in the bag it came in, sealed with some strong clips and stored in a cool, dry place.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Look at this, Fiesta actually makes pet bowls, and they say they use a lead-free, dishwasher safe glaze:

http://www.dinnerwareusa.com/shop/catalog/handler~event~familySelec...

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Love these! Had never seen them before!