Are plastic pet bowls safe? Can they cause cancer in cats or dogs?

Hello. This is a very difficult question because, in overage amounts, anything can potentially cause cancer. Think coffee, wine & even too much charcoal grilled meats. If there was something overtly dangerous in pet food, owners, veterinarians & the food manufacturers would be screaming to have it removed. There was some talk awhile back about the tin being used in canned foods causing a problem, especially the ones with a pop top, but that has been addressed by applying some coating to the can's interiors. Could something be discovered in the future? Probably. In the meantime, you could supplement your pet's diet with fresh meats & vegetables, but it is very difficult to provide complete nutrition this way. The way I look at it, our pets are living longer & healthier lives & we have a fantastic selection of foods to feed them. I would not worry about cancer causing ingredients in the food when we all eat way too much processed food. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If I am reading your question correctly, you indicate that Sapphire's urinary diet may have contributed to her developing cancer. I have never heard of this. Now, any chronic inflammation/irritation does have the potential to possibly incite a tissue to mutate to a malignant form, but again, this would be very unusual. For example, a bone cancer can developed at the site of a previous fracture in very rare instances. If your veterinarians have submitted urine to a laboratory, the sample should have come back with evidence of cancer cells. An ultrasound should also provide evidence of cancer, as well as a biopsy of the urinary bladder. If there is no evidence of cancer ( & I would be very suspicious of this in such a young cat ), then I would have no issues keeping Sapphire on a urinary diet to keep her crystalluria under control.

Hello, and thanks for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It's great that you're being conscientious about this! I recommend ceramic, glass, or stainless steel bowls. They tend to be cleaner, and are safe to throw in a dishwasher cycle now and then. I'd specifically avoid plastic. Hope that helps!

Hi. Depending on the type of cancer, there can certainly be a genetic predisposition for certain fypes of cancer. Even in animals cancer may occus more in some family lines. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If you have a more specific question about your pets please provide more information so we can help.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, FeLV can in fact be transferred by sharing the food and/or water bowl. In general, it can be transmitted by exchanging saliva, blood, urine and feces. Good luck and have a great day!

Stomach cancer may have a genetic compound, or could just be bad luck. Cancer is when cells start to multiply excessively, but do not, like normal cells, die off when they have reached a specific age, So they just keep growing. Cancer, with the exception of very very few, is not contagious. Stomach cancer is not contagious.

Hello, that is very cute. The only harm may be is that one of them may become overweight. You should still feed your kitty cat food and your pup, dog food. It would be best if they ate separate to control their weights and portions. This can be achieved by feeding them in different rooms. Sharing their water bowl is fine. Hope this helps and best of luck.