If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of finding your cat’s water bowl constantly overturned.
Cats knock over their water bowls because they just can’t resist being little troublemakers, and that’s ok.
Just when you thought you could trust them not to wreak havoc in your home, they go and knock over their water bowl, leaving a wet mess for you to clean up.
But why do they do it?
1. They’re Bored
Cats are naturally curious and playful.
If they aren’t getting enough stimulation in their environment, they may start knocking over their water bowl as a way to entertain themselves.
Adding some toys and scratching posts around your home can help keep your cat engaged and prevent them from getting bored.
2. Whisker Sensitivity
Some cats are sensitive about having their whiskers touched when drinking from a regular-sized bowl, so they’ll opt for a shallow one instead that won’t touch their whiskers.
Providing a shallow bowl with a low-rim to make it easier for them to drink from can help prevent them from knocking over their water bowl, or even a water fountain designed for cats.
3. They Like Playing in the Water
Some cats just love to play in the water because it’s in their nature! They may use their paws to splash around or even try to overturn the bowl for fun.
Try giving your cat a designated water play area, like a shallow pan or a large plastic container, and see if that satisfies their need for water playtime.
4. Stress or Anxiety
If your cat is feeling stressed or anxious, they may knock over their water bowl as a way to release some of that tension.
Identifying and resolving the source of your cat’s stress can help alleviate the behavior.
5. Separation Anxiety
Cats are creatures of habit, and they thrive on routine.
If your cat is prone to separation anxiety when you’re not at home, they may start knocking over their water bowl as a way to express their distress when left alone.
Providing your cat with some comfort, like a cozy blanket or a calming stress stopper spray, can help reduce their anxiety.
6. The Location of the Bowl
Cats prefer flowing water to standing water, so if the location of the bowl doesn’t suit them, they may try to overturn it.
Moving the bowl to a location with better water flow, like a corner or a more open space, can solve the problem.
7. Too Much Noise
Loud noises can be stressful for cats, and if they hear something that scares them, they might try to escape by knocking over their water dish and running away from it.
Minimizing loud noises in your home can help reduce your cat’s anxiety.
8. Cleaning Out Old Food
Cats like cleanliness, and if there’s old food stuck in their dish, they may try to remove it by knocking over the bowl and spilling out whatever is inside.
Regularly cleaning their food and water bowls can prevent this behavior.
9. They Don’t Want It There
Sometimes, cats don’t want anything near them and will push things away, including their food and water bowls!
Consider providing your cat with multiple water options in various areas of your home, and see if they prefer a particular location.
Why does my cat push his water bowl around?
Cats push their water bowls around for a few different reasons.
Maybe they’re just trying to knock it over and cause chaos because they’re curious or maybe they’re trying to tell you that the water has gone stale and they want some fresh stuff.
It could also be a sign that they’re feeling playful and want to bat something around.
How To Stop Your Cat From Knocking Over Their Water Bowl
Get a heavy-bottomed bowl
Cats have a natural instinct to play with their food and water bowls, so if your cat has a lightweight bowl, they may be more likely to knock it over as they paw at it or try to move it around.
A heavier bowl will be harder for them to push around and less likely to tip over.
Invest in a feeding station or pet fountain
Feeding stations are designed with cats in mind, and they often have built-in features like weighted bases that help keep the bowls from being tipped over.
Pet fountains also provide an interesting source of running water that cats love, which may help distract them from playing with their food and water bowls.
Here is a very informative video to help you consider whether or not you should get a water fountain:
Use a placemat or tray
If you don’t want to invest in a new feeding station or pet fountain, you can also try placing something under the bowl, such as a placemat or tray.
This will help keep the bowl from sliding around when your cat paws at it, making it less likely that they will knock it over.
You should also make sure that the bowl is filled no higher than halfway full – this way, even if your cat does manage to tip it over, there won’t be too much of a mess!
But truly, from my experience, this is a good start to stop your cats from knocking over their water bowl, and is what I am currently doing.
Provide toys and activities
Ensure your cat has plenty of toys and activities available to distract them from playing with their food and water bowls.
If your cat is bored or anxious, they may be more likely to engage in destructive behaviors like tipping over their water dish, so providing them with plenty of stimulation can help keep them occupied and away from the dishes!
Reduce stress
If you suspect your cat is feeling anxious, there are plenty of ways to reduce their stress.
Ensuring they have access to a quiet, comfortable space and providing toys that promote mental stimulation can help reduce their stress levels.
You should also be sure to give them plenty of affection and attention so they don’t feel neglected.
But most importantly, our cats should feel like our home is their home and that they are safe, happy, and loved.
Check for health issues
If none of these solutions seem to work, it may be a sign that there is an underlying health issue causing your cat to act this way.
I will be the first to say that even though we pay a lot of attention to our cats, we don’t always catch everything, and sometimes a second opinion is better than our assumptions.
Take your cat to the vet to ensure everything is okay, and you can get the proper treatment if there is an underlying health issue.
There are many reasons why your cat may be knocking over its water bowl. If the behavior persists, it’s essential to identify and address the underlying issue.
Whether it’s boredom, anxiety, or a sensitivity to the bowl, your cat’s well-being is worth finding a solution.
You and I have both seen how mischievous cats can be; they will swat at bottles, small boxes, and any small objects they can toss on the floor, all while looking into your eyes while they do it.
But even though this behavior may seem cute, it can be a sign of underlying behavioral issues that should be addressed.
Try some of the tips I mentioned here and see if you can stop your cat from knocking over its water bowl.
If nothing you try is working, speak with a vet about your concerns; it’s what I would do.