Senior Dog Scared of the Water Bowl or Staring at It: What to Check
An old dog who stares at or paws the water bowl may be reacting to the bowl or to vision, memory or mouth changes. What to check, and when to see a vet.
A senior dog who suddenly stares at or paws the water bowl may be reacting to the bowl itself, like a shiny steel surface, or to changes in the dog. VCA lists trouble finding the water dish as a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction, and links pawing at the mouth to dental disease. Because some causes are medical, a vet visit comes first.
Quick pick: While you wait for the vet visit, try a plain, heavy ceramic bowl (#ad). A ceramic water fountain (#ad) can come later, if your dog drinks calmly.
When to see a vet
See a vet right away
- Signs of dehydration. Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC's chief veterinarian, lists dry, sticky gums, sunken eyes, low energy, loss of appetite, vomiting and thick saliva, and says a dog with them should see a vet immediately.
- Red or squinting eyes together with cloudiness. The AKC says to contact your vet as soon as possible.
Book a vet visit soon
- Pawing at the mouth, drooling or dropping food. VCA links these to dental disease.
- Seeming lost in familiar rooms or not finding the water dish. VCA lists these as signs of cognitive dysfunction.
- Drinking noticeably less than usual.
What the bowl behavior might point to
| What you see | It may point to | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Paws at a shiny steel bowl | Its reflection, per Vetstreet | A solid, non-shiny bowl |
| Can't find the bowl, seems lost | A sign of cognitive dysfunction (VCA) | Vet exam |
| Hazy eyes, misses the bowl | Normal aging haze or cataracts. Only a vet can tell (VCA) | Eye check |
| Drops food, paws at mouth | Signs VCA links to dental disease | Vet or dental exam |
| Stiff, slow to stand | Arthritis pain (VCA) | Vet visit, raise the dish |
Easy changes to try at home
- Keep the bowl in the same spot. The AKC says not to move a vision-impaired dog's food and water bowls.
- Swap a steel bowl for a solid, non-shiny one.
- Put a non-slip mat around the bowl. VCA advises non-slip surfaces near food and water dishes for dogs with joint disease.
- Film the behavior for your vet, as Vetstreet suggests.
- Track how much your dog drinks. The AKC's general rule is at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight a day.
Best non-shiny water picks (#ad)
- Best plain bowl that stays put: Kitwinney Heavy Ceramic Dog Bowl, 8 in (#ad). 8 in across, holds 64 oz, over 3 lb, with a silicone ring to stop sliding and clanking, per the maker. Sized for medium to large dogs.
- Next step, moving water: PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Pet Water Fountain, 70 oz (#ad). Ceramic, with a submersible pump the maker calls whisper-quiet and a carbon filter. Sized for small to medium dogs, per the maker. Add it later, once your dog drinks calmly from the still bowl.
Not a good fit: a fountain for a dog who startles at new sounds. VCA notes dogs with cognitive changes may become frightened of new stimuli, so start with the still bowl, not the fountain.
Checklist
- Checked for dehydration signs
- Noted daily water intake
- Filmed the bowl behavior
- Booked a vet visit
- Bowl kept in one spot, on a non-slip mat
- Tried a solid, non-shiny bowl
FAQ
Why is my old dog staring at the water bowl?
It can be the bowl, like a reflection, or a change in vision or memory. A vet exam sorts out which.
Why does my senior dog paw at the water bowl?
Vetstreet says dogs may paw at reflections in steel bowls. If your dog also paws at the mouth, ask your vet about dental pain.
Can cloudy eyes keep my dog from seeing the water?
VCA says haze can be normal aging or a cataract, and only your vet can tell which.
Sources
- VCA: Senior Pet Cognitive Dysfunction
- VCA: Cataracts in Dogs
- VCA: Dental Disease in Dogs
- VCA: Degenerative Joint Disease in Dogs
- AKC: Dehydration in Dogs
- AKC: Cloudy Eyes in Dogs
- AKC: How to Help a Blind Dog
- Vetstreet: Why Your Dog Digs in Her Water Bowl
Related guides
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