Last Updated: 06/08/2025
Why Does My Dog Paw At Their Water Bowl?
Ever wonder why your dog paws at their water bowl? Our veterinarian explains the common reasons behind this messy behaviour, from instinct and boredom to playfulness or even checking the water's depth. Learn what your dog might be trying to tell you.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
As a pet parent, you might have noticed a peculiar behaviour in your dog pawing at his water bowl. This action, although common, can create a mess, decrease the water available for your pet to drink, and potentially indicate a larger issue.
Understanding the reasons behind this behaviour is crucial for managing it effectively. This article delves into various causes for dogs pawing at their water bowls, from seeking relief from heat to asking for attention, and provides actionable strategies to address these habits while ensuring your furry friend's well-being.
Causes of dogs pawing at their bowl
When it comes to pawing at a water bowl, there are a number of factors that could be causing your dog to behave this way.
Cooling Mechanism
Dogs sometimes use their water bowls as a way to cool off, especially after outdoor activities or during warm weather. By wetting their paws, they benefit from evaporative cooling as the water dries.
Reflection and Object Curiosity
Some dogs are fascinated by their reflection in the water bowl or by objects floating in it. They may also be detected reflections off the bowl, if you use a bowl made of stainless steel. They might be looking to interact with their image or the object, thus demonstrating their curiosity and investigative behaviour.
Desire for Moving Water
Dogs sometimes prefer drinking running water, as it resembles natural water sources. To stimulate this, they may paw at the water in their bowls, creating ripples that mimic a stream's flow.
Boredom
Just like humans, dogs can experience restlessness and frustration when left without mental or physical stimulation. Boredom can lead to many different unwanted behaviours in our dogs, including destroying things, excessive barking, repetitive behaviours, and digging at the water bowl!
Attention-Seeking Behaviour
If a dog learns that pawing at the water bowl earns attention from their owner, whether positive or negative, they may repeat this behaviour to gain that attention again. This can be a result of associating the action with social interaction.
Compulsive Behaviour
Compulsive behaviors in dogs are repetitive, unvaried actions performed without apparent purpose. If your dog continues to paw at the water bowl despite attempts to redirect or stop this behaviour, it might be an expression of a compulsive disorder. It's advisable to consult a veterinarian in such cases.
How to help stop your dog from pawing at their water bowl
To prevent your dog from continuing to paw at their bowl, there are a few strategies you can try depending on the root cause.
For dogs looking to cool off
Firstly, provide outdoor water access in shaded areas, allowing your dog to cool off without disrupting their main drinking source. Secondly, introduce a toy such as the Afp Chill Out Garden Fountain. which allows an interactive hydration solution. These measures can help your dog fulfill their need to cool down while preserving the cleanliness and availability of their drinking water.
For curious dogs
If your dog's pawing behaviour is driven by curiosity about reflections or objects in the water, a simple modification in bowl material and design may help. Choose a non-reflective, opaque bowl to reduce distractions.
Additionally, consider transitioning to spill-proof containers to mitigate any potential mess, discouraging your dog from splashing water out of the bowl due to their curiosity.
Spill-proof dog bowls are specially designed containers that prevent or significantly reduce the chance of water or food from spilling out, even when your pet interacts with the bowl in a lively manner. They are particularly useful for dogs that have a tendency to knock over their bowls, paw at the water, or eat in a messy fashion.
For bored dogs
For dogs who are bored, don't despair! There are plenty of strategies you can employ to get them out of their rut. Add in extra exercise sessions, make use of a rotation of puzzle or interactive toys, and offer long lasting treats. You can even use their regular food as part of a treasure hunt around the house or garden.
Doggy day care is also a good option if your pooch has to spend long periods alone.
For more tips, check out our article on Boredom Busters for Dogs.
For dogs who prefer running water
For those dogs who paw at their bowl because they prefer moving water, try a water fountain. Dog water fountains function as a continuous source of filtered, aerated water, which helps to enrich your dogs environment as well as keeping their drinking water clean. Dogs will also tend to drink more from a water fountain rather than a bowl, which helps boost their hydration.
For attention seeking or compulsive behaviours in dogs
When addressing dogs that behave this way for attention, a multifaceted approach can be beneficial. Initially, ignoring the behaviour may dissuade your dog from repeating it.
If the behaviour persists, altering the water level in the bowl could discourage splashing. Importantly, positive reinforcement plays a crucial role in guiding your dog's behaviour. Reward your dog when they drink water without involving their paws, which serves to reinforce the desired behaviour.
In certain situations, your dog's actions may stem from compulsive tendencies. Compulsive behaviour is repetitive and may seem purposeless, and it often persists despite attempts to alter it.
If you notice that the pawing behaviour continues unabated even after implementing the aforementioned strategies, it would be prudent to seek professional help.
Veterinarians can offer expert guidance tailored to your dog's needs. These professionals can provide strategies and possibly treatments to manage compulsive behaviours, ensuring your dog's actions don't compromise their wellbeing or disrupt household harmony.
For more information, learn How to Find a Good Vet and How to Find a Good Trainer.
As we wrap up this discussion, it's worth noting the essential role of early training and preemptive measures, especially in puppies. Initiating appropriate behaviours from a young age can prevent future issues, including pawing at the water bowl.
Puppy-proofing the water bowl can involve using a non-reflective, heavy bowl, preferably on an elevated stand, to discourage pawing. In addition, keeping your puppy engaged with other forms of stimulation can redirect their curiosity away from the water bowl.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
How To Stop Your Dog From Licking Their Paws
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue Feb 1 2024
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian loves being able to provide depth and detail to pet parents questions, and give up to date, evidence based advice. She loves the variety of pets and inquiries she receives - she especially loves the 'curly' questions that require some research! Seeing the gorgeous photos that pet parents send through of their babies is a highlight of the day! Gillian enjoys to further her veterinary knowledge, and has completed further training in ultrasonography, behaviour and backyard poultry!
