Animal Allergies From Plastic Food Bowls

Plastic was the 20th century means to everything cheap. By the turn of this century, it was high-tech stuff -- a material in just about everything manufactured except cat food. Plastic bowls for that food are handy: They're sturdy; they're available in all sizes and forms, and they're easy to clean. But some cats are allergic to plastic food bowls, which can present as feline acne.

  1. Plastic

    • Plastic is a synthetic material made from a wide range of organic polymers that can be molded into a variety of shapes before it is set into a rigid form. It contains a chemical called BPA, or Bisephenol A, which can adversely sffect your cat's health. BPA in food bowls leaches into water or food, especially when temperatures are freezing or when the bowl gets microwaved. Meanwhile, bacteria can get trapped in plastic scratches, leading to illness.

    Feline Acne

    • Feline acne is a dermatological problem -- an allergic reaction -- commonly seen in cats, especially those who eat out of plastic food bowls. Feline acne presents as tiny, lumpy blackheads or even as dirt, on a cat's chin. The condition isn't serious. You can treat it with benzoyl peroxide, or a more gentle treatment of apple cider vinegar, dabbed on the cat's chin. Note: This treatment may take a couple of weeks to work.

    Ceramic or Porcelain

    • An alternate to plastic bowls are bowls made out of ceramic or porcelain. While heavier than other cat food bowls, they are sturdy and they're heavy; less liable to be pushed around while your cat is eating. Also, ceramic and porcelain bowls are easier to clean. Make sure the bowl you purchase is marked safe for food, and likewise check to see if the paint or glaze used to decorate the bowl contains lead, which is poisonous.

    Stainless Steel

    • The other option to plastic or ceramic/porcelain bowls is stainless steel. Although lightweight and sturdy -- especially if the bowl has a rubber, nonskid bottom -- and easy to clean, some cats do not like stainless steel because of the metallic taste it can impart to the food and water. Like ceramic and porcelain, stainless steel bowls are dishwasher safe. Always, no matter what type of bowl you use, clean your cat's bowl daily.