How to stop a dog from putting paws in a water bowl?
Neal Koepp
2025-06-13 05:29:08
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: 9
Dogs and especially cats instinctively know that still, stagnant water can be a dangerous breeding ground for bacteria and parasites so that pawing at the water is basically a depth, temperature and water quality check. It also gets the water moving which immediately makes it more appealing to drink. For dogs, water play also keeps them cool. The other factor playing into a water pawing are whiskers. Cats instinctively don’t like putting their head through a space where those highly sensitive hairs touch the side walls. So for bowls with high sides the paw is deployed as a bit of a dipstick.
Hortense Konopelski
2025-06-13 03:39:38
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: 11
Dogs take any action as a sign of encouragement, and you must ignore her when she turns her water bowl into a wave pool. A cute dog can’t pay to fix water-damaged floors, so prepare for her aquatic ballet by buying a spill-proof bowl or laying towels under and around her drinking area. You can also reduce the water level in the dish so she has less liquid to play with. Walk away when she begins to splash and wait a moment before cleaning up the mess, ideally with her out of the room. Some dogs will dip their paws into water to cool down, so make sure your pup isn’t overheated. She also might be enticed to dig into her bowl if there’s sediment or food at the bottom, so keep the dish as clean as possible. You’ll want to reward good behavior, so give her a tasty treat whenever she follows her Emily Post and drinks from her bowl without spilling.
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