Why Your Dog's Food and Water Bowls Should Sit Apart
Most of us put the food bowl and the water bowl side by side, because that's how the bowls come. It works, but it isn't ideal. A little distance between the two keeps the water cleaner, makes it easier to see how much your dog is drinking, and for a lot of dogs it means they drink a bit more.
Food ends up in the water
Watch a dog eat and you'll see why. Kibble crumbs, wet food and a fair bit of saliva come off their mouth and land in whatever is next to the food bowl. Within a few hours the water has a film on top and bits on the bottom. That water spoils faster, especially in a warm kitchen, and plenty of dogs will drink less from a bowl that smells or tastes off.
It matters more with wet or raw food. Food left sitting at room temperature is exactly what bacteria like, and anything that drops into the water bowl comes along with it.
You can see how much they drink
When water has its own spot, it's easier to notice changes. A dog that suddenly drinks a lot more, or a lot less, than usual is worth mentioning to your vet. That's much harder to spot when half the water bowl is soup.
How to set it up
- Give water its own place. Even a metre or two away from the food bowl makes a difference. Somewhere they pass often, out of direct sun.
- Add a second water spot in another room or outside, especially in summer and in bigger homes.
- Use a heavy or fixed bowl for water, so it doesn't get pushed around and tipped.
- Refresh it daily, and more often when it's hot. (Our post on how often to wash your dog's bowls covers the cleaning side.)
If you like a twin stand
A twin stand is fine. It keeps the two bowls separate rather than one shared dish, and lifts them off the floor. Just give the water bowl a rinse and refill each day, because it will catch the odd crumb. For messy eaters, a separate water station is the better answer.
From our range
The Well — Filtered Water Fountain
2.2 L of water kept moving through a three-layer filter, with a see-through tank so you know when to top up. A water station that lives away from the food.
The Refill — Gravity Water Dispenser
A 3.5 L bottle that tops up the bowl as it empties. No power needed. Suits cats and small dogs.
The Kiln — Ceramic Bowls on a Bamboo Stand
Two separate 850 ml ceramic bowls, held in place by suction cups. Dishwasher safe.
This is general advice. If your dog's drinking or eating changes suddenly, talk to your vet.