Do dogs like their water bowl next to their food bowl

Your Dogs Food & Water Bowl Behaviour Explained

Our pets can exhibit all kinds of behaviours, some slightly more unusual than others. We talked recently about dog treats and how many dogs will hide or bury them, and this week we thought wed look at strange behaviours around their food and water bowls. You may have a dog that likes to move their bowls around, whilst some dogs have a tendency to put their paw into the bowl. In this blog well look at all the things weve known dogs to do to their food and water bowls and why they might act this way.

Dog Food And Water Bowl Behaviour

Your dog may react in all kinds of ways when it comes to their food and water bowls. Whilst some dogs will just be excited at the thought of food and start eating straight away when food is served, others may show a range of other behaviours. This can range from moving the bowl around the floor to trying to tip the bowl up. Some dogs may put their paws in their bowls or even try to pee in them. It might seem baffling, but there are one or two reasons that your pup might do these things.

Why Do Dogs Move Their Food Bowl?

Most canine behaviour is often down to habit and past behaviour being reinforced. So if your dog happened to move their bowl once and you gave them attention or added more food, then your dog may associate moving the bowl with being rewarded, leading them to do it more often.

Your pup may also be showing behaviour that has been passed down from their ancestors. Moving the bowl around couldbe your dogs way of deterring other animals from eating their food. Even if your dog is an only pet, they still have a natural instinct to protect their food that stems from their history as pack animals. In the wild, dogs hunting in packs would sometimes hide or run away with their food to ensure it wasnt stolen by the rest of the pack.

Another reason that stems from their old pack hunting days may be that theyre trying to make the food seem more alive. By moving a bowl of dry dog food, the kibble will bounce and move which may excite them and make them feel more fulfilled at mealtimes.

Alternatively, it could simplybe your dog telling you that they dont like the placement of their bowl. It could be the sound of their bowl on a particular type of flooring that they dont like, or they may want to be nearer to you when theyre eating. Some dogs may even push around an empty bowl because it makes them nervous to think they dont have food available, even when theyre not hungry. Wed suggest keeping their dry food topped throughout the day, even if its just with a small amount so theyre not tempted to overfeed.

Why Does My Dog Flip Their Food Bowls?

Flipping the bowl of food could be done for similar reasons to moving the bowl, in that theyre trying to protect the food from other animals.

It could also be that your dog doesnt like the bowl itself. They may not like the shape of it; some dogs have sensitive whiskers and dont like the feel when they stroke the sides of the bowl. Or they may take a dislike to the smell. The bowl could smell of dish soap or even another dogs scent for example which could put them off.

If your dog has taken to tipping their bowl over, you could try a non-skid dog bowl which should deter them from moving it on hard floors. You could also try moving the bowl to another area or try a different bowl altogether.

If you have more than one pet, try feeding them apart from each other and always feed them in separate bowls. Dogs dont usually like sharing their space when eating their food.

If your dog is a messy eater in general, you may not be able to stop the behaviour completely. Try serving their food on a placemat to stop spillages from soiling the floor.

Why Does My Dog Put Their Paw In The Water Bowl?

Does your dog like to play with the water in their bowl? You may not see any sense in your dog doing this and of course it probably makes a mess with the splashes it creates. There are a couple of reasons your dog might do this though.

It might be that your pup is hot after a walk or other activity and the water is a way for them to cool down. It doesnt matter to them that theyre going to drink from the bowl later.

Your dog might also try to paw something that they can see in the water. There maybe something floating such as stray food or a hair; or they may be distracted by their own reflection!

They may even play in the water because they just love it. If you have a dog who loves a splash in the sea or a paddle in the local pond at the park, you may find that they continue this type of play at home in their water bowl.

There are a number of things you can do to try to stop the behaviour. Changing the bowl to one made of plastic or ceramic may reduce the risk of distracting reflections tempting your pup to play. You could also swap the water bowl for a pet fountain.

Why Do Dogs Pee In Their Water Bowl?

Dogs are territorial creatures and urinating is a way for your dog to scent mark their territory. They will often do this on dog walks,spraying over other dogs scent to show that they stand higher in the canine social hierarchy.

If your dog begins to spray in the house, it is probably related to this natural instinct. If you have more than one pet or you have a friends dog over to visit, your dog may decide to spray on the others bowl or even their own bowl. It could also happen when new people come to stay or even if you have a baby.

Once you have managed to pinpoint why your dog is exhibiting this behaviour, you can aim to change the habit. One of the best ways to do this is to try serving their water in a quiet part of the house. This may mean putting it in a different room, or a different part of the same room that is less busy, with fewer distractions.

Why Is My Dog Afraid Of Their Bowl?

Does your dog seem afraid of their food and water bowls?If your dog whines at the food bowl rather than eating from it, or refuses to go near it, they may have developed a dislike of the bowl or food for a few reasons.It could be the material of the bowl that they dislike; they might not like the feel of plastic, or the cold surface of the metal. It could even be the smell that they dont like.

Another reason could be the location of the food. Your dog may not like the bowls being near other pets bowls, or they may find a certain spot too busy or noisy.

If your dog has suddenly stopped eating, you will need to rule out any health issues. Wed suggest a trip to the vet to get them checked over properly.

A good way to deter unwanted behaviours of any kind is to provide plenty of toys and play options. Along with toys, ensure that your dog gets lots of stimulation every day throughout their routine which will hopefully make sure their energy is spent in the correct areas.

If your dog seems to have developed any kind of compulsive behaviour that youre finding it difficult to change, wed suggest speaking to your vet.

Should A Cats Water Be Away from Food?

The placement of your cats food and water bowls may seem arbitrary. In fact, many owners place the two bowls directly next to each other. While some cats adapt and show no issues with this, others will rebel. Your cat may refuse to drink the water, knock the water dish over, or drop food into its water bowl.

Your cats water bowl should be placed 3-5 feet away from its food bowl. Many cats cannot stand the scent of food near their water. In the wild, mixing food and water often results in bacterial growth and illness. Cats may also want to drink and eat in different places so that they can hide from predators. Even the act of hunting down the different bowls in different places can feel more natural to a cat.

For scared or jumpy cats, it can feel risky to eat and drink in the same place. The best solution is to gradually move the water dish away from the food dish, a few inches at a time. Separating the bowls all at once may distress some cats, especially those that are already protective of their food or water.

Do Cats Like Their Water Next to Their Food?

While it may seem trivial, your cat will have strong opinions about where its water and food dishes are placed. Most importantly, it wont like having these two bowls directly next to each other.

Some cats will refuse to eat out of a bowl thats near water. Likewise, other cats will drink out of the toilet, sink, potted plants, and even puddles before sipping from a water dish near food.

Thats all credit to your cats base instincts. Humans have domesticated felines for thousands of years as pets and a natural pest control solution. However, cat genes have changed little over the millennia. Cats have not been as extensively bred as certain dog species have. This means that their hunting instincts have yet to be bred out as well.

Its no surprise that your cat will tend to show the same preferences as its wild ancestors. Even though its a house pet, it still interacts with its food and water using the common sense of its wild counterparts. Keeping the water dish about 3-5 feet away from its food will help the cat feel like its exercising a good amount of caution.

Why Do Cats Not Like Water Near Their Food?

Cats dislike having water near their food, but the reasoning behind it can seem petty. Thats especially true if you move the water dish a few feet to the left and find the cat accepting it all of a sudden. In truth, cats have very sensible reasons for this petty habit:

Avoiding Predators

In the wild, cats will often drink water, go to the bathroom, and eat in different places. This is to ensure that other animals will not catch their scent or invade their territory. While your indoor cat doesnt need to worry about predators or rivals, this instinct remains intact.

Avoiding Sickness

Cats that eat, drink, sleep, and defecate in or around the same spot will often find their food and water contaminated by harmful bacteria. That can lead to the cat getting ill in short order. Your cat will prefer that all its belongings stay in their own spots around your home. Grouping them closely together, in your cats mind, is the same as inviting illness.

Enjoying Hunting Instincts

The Madison Cat Care Clinic found that cats do not typically eat large, infrequent meals throughout the day. Unlike humans, cats will hunt small prey and consume around 10 to 20 smaller meals on a good hunting day. Of course, none of these meals are found in the same place. A cat needs to look for them.

With that in mind, your cat will be more likely to eat and drink if it needs to hunt for it. You can encourage your cats innate instincts by placing its water and food bowls in different locations around your home. When it has to search out these resources, it will feel more trusting of them. It did all the hard work of finding them, and that feels more natural.

Hiding Places

Cats are both predators and prey, and they understand that drinking and eating make them vulnerable. After all, their heads will be down, and theyll be busy with the water or food. This gives any predators a great chance to sneak up on them.

By placing the water and food bowls in different locations, your cat will have more options. It can eat in one secluded place, drink in another, and even pick from additional food and water spots.

If your cat is new to your home, that can help it feel more protected and less exposed. Even if one spot is compromised by foot traffic or a loud AC unit, a different place will feel safe.

Do Cats Need Water if They Eat Wet Food?

If your cat is being especially picky and refuses to drink from its water dish, you may be looking for a compromise. What if you just gave it wet food instead? Then it wouldnt need to bother with the water dish.

Cats do obtain much of their water intake from their meals. In fact, its easy for cats to become dehydrated since they dont have a strong thirst drive. Their body tissue is made up of about 67% water and will try to replenish this from:

• Canned wet foods, which are usually made up of around 60-75% percent water
• Smaller prey they find and consume throughout the day

Because of this, some cat owners mistakenly believe that their cats do not need to drink water if they feed them only wet foods. However, according to Cornell University, cats will still need to drink water every day to stay healthy. It doesnt matter how much wet food you feed them.

While wet foods may have a large amount of water content, they may not have all the nutrients your cat needs. Indeed, many veterinarians will recommend different diets based on your unique cats situation. Some cats might need an all-dry-food diet, while others will need a combination of both wet and dry foods.

Of course, this means that you will have to provide your cat with fresh water. Even if its simpler to just give your cat wet food, you must convince it to use the water dish.

Why Do Cats Put Food in Their Water Bowl?

Youve separated your cats food and water bowls. The cat appears to have accepted this. However, in a surprising turn of events, your cat picks up bits of food and drops them inside the water bowl. Is your cat trying to make wet food?

Rest assured, your cat isnt trying to soften its existing food or transform a toy into a meal. Instead, its just an instinctual response that the cat inherited from its wild ancestors.

Cats in the wild take their prey back to their shelters and enjoy their meals privately. This shelter will likely be close to water and other necessities (but not directly next to them). If your cat doesnt have multiple hiding spots, then the location of its water bowl might feel like the safest point in your house. As such, the cat will eat its food in this particular spot.

Once the cat has eaten its dampened food, it may then find itself in a real pickle. Its just contaminated its own water, and therefore, the water cant be safely consumed. In response, the cat will then ignore the water. Thats true, even if its the one that dropped something inside in the first place! To contend with the fickle creature and its mistake, change the cats water.

Even if it seems like a good solution, you should avoid moving its food closer to the water. Rest assured that the feline hasnt overcome its aversion to having water and food close to each other. It just got its wires crossed and didnt know how to reverse the mistake. In the wild, it wouldve just used a different hiding place where it felt safe bringing food. In your home, it didnt have options, so it picked its own water dish.

Cat Food And Water Bowls Next To Each Other

What if your cat was accepting its water bowl before, no matter its placement, but now its rejecting it? If your cat picks up this habit suddenly, its likely because of:

Bowls Material

Cats tend to be very picky about the material of the bowl they will drink water out of. You may need to go by trial-and-error to see which bowls your cat prefers.

Plastic bowls might be cheaper, but your cat may dislike how its whiskers cling to the surface. Stainless steel, porcelain, and glass bowls are designed to keep water cool all day long. These tend to work best for even the pickiest cats.

Bowls Smell

Cats are also very sensitive to smell. If a plastic bowl still has a chemical residue or mildew growing along its surface, your cat may refuse to use it at all. The same holds true if you give the cat a different pets bowl, or swap out a food bowl with a water bowl.

Cats tend to snub their water if they smell food, and vice versa. Be sure to change the water frequently and sanitize the bowl on a weekly basis. This should eliminate the smell.

Stagnant Water

Some cats hate water bowls altogether. You might find that your cat prefers to drink water from a running source, such as a sink or hose. Still pools of water may put a cat on edge, as bacteria tend to fester in these areas.

Of course, you cannot leave your kitchen sink perpetually on, just in case your feline wants a sip every now and then. In this case, you can buy a tiny water fountain for the cat to drink out of. These fountains keep the water flowing, and some even have charcoal filters. This ensures the water cycling through it stays clean and fresh for your cat to drink.

Where Should I Put My Cats Water Bowl?

If youre separating the food and water bowls, their placement may seem arbitrary. However, your cat will have a preference and may refuse a bowl thats in the wrong spot. The most ideal places will include:

• The kitchen
• Your bedroom
• By your back door
• In the living room

Deciding where to put cat food and water bowls also includes a couple of unique factors:

Move Around Other Items

You will still have to keep your cats belongings as far from each other as your home will allow. This might include putting them on opposite sides of a room. It wont disguise the scents, but it will offer your cat the illusion of space.

Space Out The Bowls A Little At A Time

Be sure to move your cats food and water bowls gradually. Dont just reposition them all at once! For example, start by moving the water bowl a few inches away from its food bowl. If your cat responds positively to this change, you can then move the bowl further out.

Always give your cat the option of returning its bowl to its original position. It may throw a fit about the sudden change. If it does, return it to the spot and adjust it at a slower pace.

Use Multiple Bowls

If you want to completely move your cats water bowl from its current location, it is best to set up a new water station elsewhere in your home first. Once your cat starts to migrate to that bowl, you can move the first bowl to the new spot.

Can Cats Share Water Bowls?

Cats can share water bowls, but it will depend on their personalities. Some will have no issue sharing, especially if they were raised with the other cat. Others may be highly defensive of their food and water, especially if theyre former strays or rescues. You will have to discover this through trial and error.

If your cats appear to share without a problem, then let them continue. If there is conflict, then do not force the matter. Cats forced to share food, water, or other resources will fight more often or bully any new cats away from their territory. They may also drink too quickly in an attempt to get their fill. This can result in stomach aches and other digestive issues later on.

In that event, get each of your cats their own special water bowls or fountains. Be sure to place each in their own special spot, reserved just for that cat.

All in all, a cats water bowl should be placed away from its food dish. This ensures your cat feels calm, safe from illness, and protected from rivals. By trying different materials, separating the two bowls, and even providing several bowls, your cat should warm up to the set-up.