How to Stop Your Dog from Turning over Its Water Bowl

Co-authored by Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN

Updated: March 29, 2019

If your dog turns over its water bowl, making a big mess for you to clean up, you may be wondering why they do this and how to stop the behavior. Dogs may turn over water bowls if the water or bowl is dirty or because they are bored or too hot. Choose a weighted or “no-tip” water bowl for your pet, or put their water bowl in a raised stand to prevent them from turning it over.

Method 1 of 3:
Securing the Water Bowl

  1. 1
    Place the water bowl in an elevated stand. To prevent your pooch from turning over the water bowl, put it in an elevated stand. You can purchase a raised stand at your local pet shop or make your own raised stand at home. Either way, once you have the stand, simply place the water bowl in the designated hole to prevent it from being knocked over.[1]
    • Large breeds and dogs at risk of bloat shouldn’t be fed from elevated bowls.[2] Speak to your veterinarian to find out if an elevated stand is right for your pet.
    • If your dog is larger or stronger, look for a heavier stand to place the bowl in so that the dog can’t turn the whole stand over.
  2. 2
    Put a no-slip liner under the bowl. Cut a piece of rubberized shelf liner that is slightly larger than the bowl. You can find this kind of shelf liner at superstores and craft stores. Place the rubberized shelf liner on the floor under the bowl to prevent your dog from knocking it over.[3]
  3. 3
    Weigh down the water bowl. Rather than providing a light plastic bowl, pick one made from a heavier, more substantial material, like marble or ceramic. If the water bowl is too heavy for your dog to move, they will stop turning it over.[4] Alternatively, you can select a heavy rock, clean it thoroughly, and place it in the middle of the water bowl to keep your pup from tipping it over.[5]
    • Scrub the rock with soap and water to remove germs and be sure to rinse it thoroughly before putting it in your dog’s water bowl.

Method 2 of 3:
Providing the Right Environment for Your Dog

  1. 1
    Provide fresh water in a clean bowl each day. Your dog may be turning over the water bowl because the water or bowl is dirty. Providing fresh water in a clean bowl each day may stop this behavior. Dog bowls are great places for bacteria to breed, so it’s important that you wash your dog’s water bowl every day and make sure they have access to fresh, clean water at all times.[6]
    • Use mild soap and water to clean your dog’s bowls daily.
  2. 2
    Put the water bowl in a different location. Your dog may be turning the water bowl over because they don’t like the location or position it is in. Try putting the water bowl in a different location in your home or yard. Just be sure that your dog knows where to find the bowl so that they have access to fresh water at all times.[7]
    • For example, move your dog’s water bowl from next to the fridge to the other side of the kitchen. Or, move it from the corner of the yard to a spot near the back door.
    • Alternatively, often times dogs turn their water bowl over in an attempt to get to it. If the bowl is in an area that’s difficult to access, simply relocate it.
  3. 3
    Fill the water bowl only halfway. Providing less water in the bowl can prevent your dog from turning the bowl over. However, you need to ensure your dog has constant access to fresh water, so fill the bowl halfway only if you will be home to refill the water bowl when necessary. Alternatively, choose a water bowl that refills itself to a low level from a reservoir underneath the bowl.[8]
    • These self-filling water bowls are gravity fed and provide your pet with a small, but constant, amount of fresh water.
  4. 4
    Ensure your dog is cool enough. Sometimes, dogs will tip over water bowls so that they can wet their paws, play, or even lay down in the water. This may mean that they are too hot and are trying to cool down. Ensure your dog has access to shade if they are outside, and keep your home at a comfortable temperature if your dog is inside. If it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your pooch as well.[9]
    • Signs your dog is overheating include: heavy drooling, excessive panting, pale, dry gums, glassy-looking eyes, weakness, staggering, disorientation, vomiting, or diarrhea.[10]
    • Consider getting a gel cooling bed for your dog to help them disperse heat and stay cooler when inside on a warm day.
    • Provide a kiddie pool for your dog to play in or take them to a local pond or stream if you think they may be knocking over the bowl in order to play in the water.
  5. 5
    Spend time with your dog each day. A dog may turn over its water bowl to signal that they are bored or lonely. Make sure you spend adequate time with your pet each day. Take your dog for walks, pet or brush them, throw a ball for them, or play tug of war or another game with them. If your dog is happy and satisfied, they may stop knocking over their water bowl.[11]
    • You should spend several hours of quality time with your dog each day.[12]
    • Dogs typically need at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, but puppies, younger dogs, and particularly energetic breeds usually require more.[13]
    • If you’re busy during the day, consider hiring a dog walker to walk your dog at some point in the morning or afternoon. If your dog is worn out from frequent play sessions, it’s less likely to be destructive.

Method 3 of 3:
Choosing the Right Water Bowl

  1. 1
    Choose a water bowl without a reflective surface. If your dog’s water bowl is made from stainless steel or another reflective material, they may be turning it over because they think they see something in it. Choose a water bowl in a solid color that isn’t reflective to keep your pup from trying to get to their own or other objects’ reflections.[14]
    • Ensure the bowl you choose is lead-free.
  2. 2
    Try a water bowl in a different shape or color than the one you have. Sometimes, providing a bowl that looks different can keep your dog from knocking it over. Select a water bowl in a different shape than the one you have, like a square instead of a circle. Choose a different color from the one you already have, such as opting for blue instead of tan.[15]
  3. 3
    Select a “no-tip” bowl. No-tip bowls often have silicone or another non-skid surface on the bottom of the bowl to prevent them from being knocked over. They may also have tapered sides or other features. Go to your local pet store and select a new water bowl that is specified as a “no-tip” bowl to keep your dog from spilling their water.[16]
  4. 4
    Give your pet a water fountain. Sometimes, a dog tips over the water bowl because they enjoy the movement of the water. If you suspect this may be the case for your pet, get them a doggy water fountain. These fountains provide a continuous stream of running water for your pet to drink from.[17]
    • Pet water fountains are available online and in pet stores.

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      About this article

      Licensed Veterinary Technician
      65 votes - 77%
      Co-authors: 4
      Updated: March 29, 2019
      Views: 9,114
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        Jan 16, 2018

        "I wanted to know if there was anything out there that I didn't already know about. Since there wasn't, I picked the idea that would work best for me -- the no-tip dish with shelf liner under it -- and figured that was my best option."..." more

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