How to stop your dog spilling water everywhere
Messy drinking is mostly physics, not manners. You can’t change how dogs drink, but you can stop the puddle reaching your floor.
Dogs spill water because of how they drink, not bad manners. They curl their tongue back to scoop water up, and big tongues, beards and excitement send it everywhere. You can't change that, but you can contain it: use a heavier, wider bowl, move it somewhere easier to clean, put an absorbent mat underneath, and adjust a few habits.
Why is my dog so messy when they drink?
Dogs can't suck water up the way we do, so they lap. Researchers at Virginia Tech filmed dogs drinking and found they curl the tongue backwards into a ladle and pull it up fast, between 2 and 4 Gs, lifting a column of water into the mouth. Some of the water stays in that ladle and gets flicked out to the side or dropped on the way up. The full study was published in PNAS in 2015.
Messier drinkers tend to be:
- Big dogs with big tongues
- Bearded or long-faced breeds that carry water out on their face
- Excited drinkers after a walk or a play
- Puppies still working out where the bowl ends
Nine ways to stop the mess
1. Use a heavier, wider bowl
Light bowls slide and tip when a dog leans in. A heavy ceramic bowl or a weighted stainless steel one stays put, and a wider bowl means less water splashing over the rim. The RSPCA recommends a water bowl a puppy cannot chew or knock over, made of non-toxic material.
2. Put an absorbent, non-slip mat underneath
This is the single biggest fix for floors. A mat under the bowls catches drips before they reach timber or carpet, and a non-slip base stops the bowls skating around. Our Custom Feeding Mat is highly absorbent and non-slip, and at 55 × 30 cm it fits a food and water bowl side by side. Between spills, a quick wipe is all it needs.
3. Move the bowl to an easy-to-clean spot
Tiles or a laundry corner forgive spills better than floorboards or a rug. A corner also limits splashes to two sides instead of four. Our guide on where to put your pet's bowls has more ideas.
4. Don't fill it to the brim
A bowl filled half to two-thirds full splashes less over the edge. Top it up more often instead, so fresh water is always there.
5. Try a slow-drinking bowl for gulpers
Bowls with a floating disc only let a little water up at a time, which slows down dogs who drink like they're racing.
6. Keep a towel by the bowl for bearded dogs
Breeds with beards and long facial hair carry a surprising amount of water out of the bowl. A quick wipe of the chin saves a trail across the house.
7. Give them a minute to settle after exercise
Excited dogs drink fastest. Let them come in, settle and then drink, but never take water away from a hot or thirsty dog.
8. Offer a paddling spot outside in summer
Some dogs dig and paddle in their water bowl because they're hot. A shallow, sturdy tub of water in a shaded part of the yard gives them somewhere better to splash.
9. Use two bowls
A sturdy bowl outside and one inside spreads the drinking out, and means a tipped bowl doesn't leave them without water.
Should I limit my dog's water to stop the mess?
No. Dogs need constant access to fresh, clean water, especially in Australian summers. RSPCA hot-weather advice stresses plenty of cool, clean water. Contain the mess instead of reducing the water.
When is messy drinking worth a vet visit?
Most messy drinking is normal. Talk to your vet if your dog suddenly drinks much more than usual, starts drooling more, or seems to have trouble picking up water or swallowing. Changes in thirst can be an early sign of a health problem.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dog put their paws in the water bowl?
Often because they're hot, playful or curious about moving water. A heavier bowl, a cool spot inside, and a shallow tub of water outside on hot days usually help.
What is the best water bowl for a messy dog?
A heavy, wide bowl that won't slide or tip, filled to about two-thirds, on top of an absorbent, non-slip mat.
Why does my dog drop water everywhere after drinking?
Dogs lift water with a curled tongue, and some of it falls out on the way up. Dogs with beards or long faces also carry water away on their fur. A mat under the bowl and a towel nearby catch most of it.
