Best Spill-Proof Cat Water Bowls (Weighted & Untippable Dishes)

Are you fed up with your cat tipping the water out of their water bowl? This is such a common issue amongst cat owners, but one that isn’t discussed much. Compared to cats not using their litter trays, clawing the furniture, and bringing in mice, crying over spilled water seems trivial. Nevertheless, when you’re frequently having to mop up spills and replenish your cat’s water, it’s exceedingly frustrating.

Luckily, this is a problem that comes with a super easy fix; simply replace your regular water bowl with a spill-proof cat water bowl! However, as with all products, there are both incredible and terrible options out there. While some untippable water dishes do a fantastic job, others are a waste of money.

Having an extremely playful cat myself who thinks splashing around in her water bowl is a great source of entertainment, I made it my mission to find the best spill-proof cat water bowl that actually works. Keep reading to discover all the best no tip cat bowls and spill-proof dishes, as well as a handy buying guide and reasons why your cat loves playing with their water.

My Top Pick

Modern Artisans Heavy-Weight Splash Free Water Bowl

The best spill-proof cat water bowl is the Modern Artisans Heavy-Weight Splash Free Water Bowl. Not only is this spill-proof bowl extremely durable, but is also is weighted to help avoid spills and has a lip around the edge to contain splashes. I use this bowl with my messy cat, and it works wonders! Not only that, but it is also easy to clean and built to last.

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I also have some other great alternative products to recommend to you, so keep reading for the low down on these so that you can make your cat’s drinking habits hassle-free.

Best Spill-Proof Cat Water Bowls

Before I go through my favorite non-spill water bowls for cats, I just wanted to highlight exactly what I was looking for in my ideal product. Here are all the features that the best untippable and splash proof cat water bowl should have.

• Weighted: The top quality of a no-spill pet water bowl is that it is weighted. Weighted cat bowls make it near impossible for your cat to tip over by themselves, so the heavier, the better! Your cat also won’t be able to push a heavy bowl around the room as easily.
• Non-Slip: Bowls with special non-slip material on the bottom also helps to keep the bowl in one place and prevent spills from being pushed around the room. Usually, rubber or silicone bases work well for this.
• Shape: The shape of the bowl also helps to reduce spillages. Some have a wider base which makes it harder for your cat to tip over, and others have a lip over the top to protect against splashes from going all over the floor.
• Easy to Clean: You need to keep your cat’s water bowl clean so that no bad bacteria or mold starts to grown, so opting for a design that is simple to clean is a must. For this reason, bowls that are dishwasher safe are preferable.
• Material: When it came to material, the dish has to be durable to ensure the product would last, and BPA-free so that is safe for cats to drink from. Stainless steel or ceramic are two of the best options, but durable plastic also works okay for a water bowl.

With all these factors taken into consideration, here are the best spill-proof water bowls available today.

1. Modern Artisans Heavy-Weight Splash-Free Water Bowl (Best All-Rounder)

The bowl which I have started using alongside many other pet owners is the Modern Artisans Heavy-Weight Splash-Free Water Bowl. It hits all of my requirements to make a product that successfully stops cats from tipping their bowls or splashing their water on the floor.

Firstly, this is a weighted water bowl for cats weighing in at 2lbs. This is much too heavy for cats to tip over by themselves, no matter how hard they try! The reason the bowl is so heavy is that it is made from solid stoneware clay, handcrafted on the potter’s wheel. If your cat frequently tips their water bowl over, this is an effective solution.

As the bowl is made from clay, it is also extremely long-lasting. You may be worried about chipping a clay bowl, but the water dish has also been covered in a chip-resistant glaze making it survive the wear and tear of everyday life, as well as being scratch-resistant. Plus, it is lead-free, calcium-free, and food-safe.

The clay has been crafted into a smart shape with an inverted curved lip. So long as you don’t fill the water level up to beyond the interior rim, if your cat does splash around with their paws, the water will simply hit the lip and fall back into the bowl.

The only slight downside of this product is that it is slightly harder to clean the underside of the lip thoroughly. Nevertheless, there are three draining holes to help water escape the rim. Also, the bowl is dishwasher safe which makes cleaning more convenient; simply put the bowl in to wash along with your other dishes.

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2. Petmate No Spill Water Bowl for Cats (Great for Traveling)

The second bowl I recommend is the Petmate No Spill Water Bowl for Cats. Made from sturdy and long-lasting plastic, this bowl is great at stopping splashes of water fall onto your floor. It also holds up to 6 cups of water to keep your cat hydrated throughout the day.

This bowl is pretty lightweight and so, in theory, can still be tipped over. However, because of the intelligent lip design, the lighter weight doesn’t make a difference. The lip is large and makes it difficult for cats to hook their paws underneath and tip the entire water bowl over.

I also love the lip as it is incredible at protecting against splashes, so if your cat likes to dip their paws in the water rather than flip the bowl over completely, this could be your ideal product. Because of this design, it is also amazing for car journeys or when traveling. You can set the bowl in the car and know the regardless of how windy or bumpy the roads, there will be minimal spillages.

This spill-proof cat water bowl is also easy to clean as the lid comes off, meaning you can wash inside just with any other bowl. It is also dishwasher safe for added convenience.

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3. Bonza Double Cat Bowls With Non-Spill Silicone Base (Helps Catch Food Spillages Too)

Another fantastic product is the Bonza Double Cat Bowls With Non-Spill Silicone Base. As the name suggests, there are two bowls with this product, which is perfect either for one cat to use for food and water or for two cats to share.

These bowls work to avoid mess as they fit snuggly into a silicone base that has a raised outer lip and catches all mess that falls outside the bowl, whether that’s dry food or water splashes. If you’re bothered about your cat splashing water because of damage to your flooring, this product offers great protection.

While catching spills, the silicone mat also does a great job at preventing spillages too. It is non-slip and so your cats won’t be able to drag the bowls around the room with their paws. Similarly, as they sit snuggly inside the silicone base, they are untippable. This makes this water bowl an ideal solution, no matter whether you have a tipper or a splasher!

Both the bowls and the mat are made from high-quality material; the bowls are made from stainless steel and the base from high-grade silicone. Both are BPA-free and food-safe, so you can rest assured knowing it is safe for your cat to eat from these dishes. Plus, they’re long-lasting.

When it comes to cleaning, you can pop out the bowls from the base and wash all three parts separately, either in the sink or the dishwasher due to them being 100% dishwasher safe.

The only downside to these bowls is that the silicone could be thicker to make the base more study. If your cat manages to spill a lot of water that accumulates in the base, it doesn’t take much effort for them to step on the silicone lip and create a small puddle on the floor.

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4. Bergan Stainless Steel Non-Skid Pet Bowl (Best Budget Buy)

If you’re after a pocket-friendly solution to water spillages, take a look at the Bergan Stainless Steel Non-Skid Pet Bowl.

This bowl is great if you have a cat that likes to drag their bowl around your kitchen, leaving a trail of water behind them. The bowl has a non-slip rubber seal on the base of the bowl which makes it difficult for your cat to push around.

You’ll also find this product a success if you have a cat that tips over their entire water bowl due to the rubber seal. Besides, the shape of the bowl makes flipping it more challenging, as it is wide and flat at the base and curved on the inside. This makes it harder for your cat to hook their paw and cause a mess!

However, if you have a cat that likes to splash in the water and create ripples with their paws, this bowl won’t cut it. There is no splash-proof lip, nor is there any silicone base or protection for the floor.

For anyone who thinks his bowl will help their problems, you’ll also be pleased to know that the bowl itself is made from stainless steel. This material is designed to last and will not rust. It is also scratch-resistant, meaning no bad bacteria will be able to grow in deep grooves, and it’s easy to clean.

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5. Seoul Homeware Raised Ceramic Cat Water Bowl (Also Helps Prevent Vomiting)

Another way to help reduce the number of water spillages your cat makes is by opting for an elevated bowl, such as the Seoul Homeware Raised Ceramic Cat Water Bowl.

A raised design such as this elevates the bowl so that your cat doesn’t need to bend down to drink in it. This is ideal for cats that splash the water in their bowls, as elevating the dish will discourage splashing.

What’s more, this cat water bowl also makes drinking more comfortable for cats, and using a raised bowl also decreased the chance of vomiting. Older cats will definitely benefit from having an elevated bowl and you will probably see their water intake increase as it may be hurting them to continually bend down for a drink.

Aside from the height, this product is also a heavy water bowl for cats, weighing in at 1.2lbs. Therefore, this bowl also helps to prevent your cat from tipping their water dish over or dragging it around the room.

These water bowls are more high-end and are made of premium porcelain. While being easy to clean, this material is also 100% safe and more hygienic than plastic due to its scratch-resistant properties. Porcelain can easily smash if dropped, which is the product’s only downfall.

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6. Comsmart Cat Water Fountain (Great for Cats that Splash)

Finally, we have the Cosmart Cat Water Fountain, which technically isn’t a water bowl, but does do a fantastic job of keeping spillages at bay.

Often, the reason cats splash in their bowls is to see ripples in the water’s surface and get the water moving, helping them to feel more comfortable drinking from a still pool of water. By purchasing a cat fountain or water dispenser, you may find that this splashing behavior disappears altogether. Plus, with this fountain in particular, the water does not pool in the tray and instead flows through the holes directly back into the basin, further avoiding spillages.

This specific cat water fountain is fantastic; it has a water level window so you know when it is time to refill, it has an ultra-quiet pump so you can hardly hear it working, and it has three different flow settings so that you can find one that your cat likes. It also has a capacity of 2.4L.

In terms of material, the bowl part of the fountain is made from stainless steel, which is a safer option compared to plastic fountains. The water also has a triple filtration system ensuring it stays fresh for your cat, and the pet fountain is BPA-free.

The downside of a water fountain over a bowl is that they are more difficult to clean. With this cat water fountain, you must clean the bowl and inside the pump once per week, as well as purchasing replacement filters when necessary.

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Spill-Proof Cat Water Bowl Buying Guide

Although I think these are some great products, the best spill-proof cat water bowl for you may be totally different. We each have different things that are important to us and different reasons as to why our cats are making a mess.

Therefore, I have written this buying guide so that if you do decide to shop elsewhere, you can find an amazing product. Here are my tips for finding an incredible anti-spill cat water bowl that works.

Shop Within Your Budget

Cat water bowls come at a range of different prices. Therefore, before you even start reading product reviews, set yourself a price range, and only look at products that fall within this bracket.

You do not have to buy the most expensive bowl for it to be effective. Likewise, some of the cheapest options out there may be all you need!

Choose The Right Design

What design is right for you will depend on what your cat is doing to make a mess in the first place. Are they splashing their paws in the bowl to create spills? Are they pushing the bowl around the room causing water to spill over the sides? Are they tipping the bowl over completely?

Choosing a water dish whose design is specific to the issue is key. Here are the different types of anti-spill cat water bowls you can buy, and in which situation each will be effective:

• Weighted Cat Bowl: These are heavy bowls that weigh over 1lb and help prevent spills caused either by your cat tipping their entire water bowl over or by them pushing it around the floor. However, they don’t protect against splashes.

• Lipped Design: To protect your floor from cats that love to splash, bowls with a lip around the top can help prevent the water from getting on the floor. These bowls are also great for travel or long journeys.

• Silicone Base Bowl: Bowls with a silicone or rubber base are great for cats that drag their bowl and also help to prevent it from tipping over. They don’t prevent your cat from splashing in their bowl, but if you choose a product with a large base it can effectively catch spills from splashing.

• Elevated Bowl: Elevated bowls are raised above the ground and can help deter cats from splashing as they’re higher up. By opting for a heavy raised bowl with grips on the bottom, you can avoid spills from tipping the water bowl over and from dragging it along the floor too.

• Water Fountain: Although not technically a bowl, water fountains are a great solution for cats that love to splash. By providing them with flowing water, they’re less likely to splash and cause a mess.

Of course, you can buy a combination of these products. For example, my top-rated product is a heavy and untippable cat water bowl, that also has a lip to protect from splashing. Similarly, my #5 product is an elevated cat bowl that is also weighted.

Whichever type of cat water dish you opt for, make sure it matches your needs.

Select a Safe & Durable Material

As cats will be drinking from their water bowls, the material the bowl is made from is also important as it needs to be safe for cats. Always look for products that are BPA-free and are food-safe. The main safe materials are stainless steel, ceramics, or BPA-free plastics.

Of these three materials, either stainless steel or ceramic bowls are preferable. These are both scratch-resistant, whereas plastic could easily get claw marks on its surface which can act as a breeding ground for bad bacteria. However, this is more important when choosing a food bowl for your cat, as these must withstand more wear and tear. Therefore, plastic water bowls are safe, just watch for any scratches and replace the bowl if needed.

The material also needs to durable so that the product lasts a long time. Thankfully, all three materials are long-lasting. Ceramic is the most easily breakable as if dropped it is prone to smashing. That being said, unless you’re clumsy, it’s still a fantastic option.

Why Do Cats Splash Water Out of Their Bowls?

You may be interested in why it is that your cat keeps splashing water out of the bowl, especially as cats hold a reputation of being scared of water. Don’t cats want to avoid getting wet?

Actually, there are a few reasons as to why your cat could be splashing water everywhere.

Boredom

Cats are naturally curious may see their water bowls as a fun toy, especially if they are kittens. The reflective surface can entice them, and they may find the way the water splashes fun to watch. It could also be a sign of boredom. If your cat has enough exciting real toys, they are likely to realize their bowl is not that entertaining after all.

Try purchasing a few exciting toys for your cat and making sure you take the time to play with them each day. This will also act as an outlet for your cat’s active mind, and they’ll become less and less curious about their bowl.

Poor Vision

Your cat may also be trying to determine how much water is in their bowl. Cats do have weak up-close vision and so find it difficult to tell whether there is water in their bowl or not. By dipping their paw in or pushing the bowl along the floor, the water will start to ripple, making it easier for them to determine if it’s empty or not.

Preference for Flowing Water

However, the most common reason a cat splashes their water is that they prefer to drink fresh running water and find something oddly off-putting about a bowl of still water. By splashing the water, they are trying to create a similar effect.

This all stems from instinctive behaviors, as in the wild a pool of still water is a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Cats, therefore, associate still water with being ill due to the contaminants hiding in the water. While the water we put down for our cats is most definitely fresh from the faucet, domesticated cats will still have these instincts. Splashing the water in their bowls could be your cat’s way of trying to simulate fresh running water as it’s found in nature.

If your cat is tipping their bowl over completely, make sure you are changing the water regularly enough. This may be your cat’s way of saying they want a fresh bowl.

FAQs

Q: How do I get my cat to stop tipping over their water bowl?

A: The easiest solution is to swap their dish for a weighted water bowl for cats that is too heavy for them to tip. Ideally, you want a bowl that weighs at least 1lb.

Q: How can I stop my cat from splashing in their water bowl?

A: If your cat splashes the water in their bowl using their paws, you can either purchase a splash-proof bowl with a lip to help contain spills or swap to a cat water fountain and see if this helps the issue.

Q: Why do cats move their water bowl?

A: Cats will move their water dish for the same reason they may splash their paw in to; to determine whether there is any water in it. Once they see ripples on the water’s surface, they will usually stop moving their bowl and start to drink from it. Cats can also play with their bowls when they are bored, so make sure your cat has enough other stimuli around so that they don’t see their water bowl as a toy.

Q: Why does my cat tip over their water bowl?

A: Often, cats tip over their water bowl as the water is not fresh enough. However, it could also be that they are trying to get their owner’s attention or that they see their water bowl as a toy and flip it over for enjoyment.

Q: Can cats see water in a bowl?

A: No, cats struggle to see still water in a bowl as their close up vision is weak. This is often why they splash in their bowls or move them around; they are trying to make the water ripple so that they can see it better.

Q: What is the best spill-proof cat water bowl?

A: In my opinion, the best spill-proof cat water bowl is the Modern Artisans Heavy-Weight Splash-Free Water Bowl. It is too heavy to tip and prevents mess from splashing due to its curved lip design. I use this bowl with my cat and I’ve not had to clean a puddle up since!

Q: Is ceramic or stainless steel better for cats?

A: Both ceramic and stainless steel cat bowls are a great choice, and both are recommended by veterinarians as they are harmless to cats and scratch-resistant. If you’re clumsy or are worried about the bowl smashing, stainless steel is your best option.

Q: Can cats drink from plastic bowls?

A: Cats can drink from plastic bowls, but the plastic can get scratched and the grooves can be a breeding ground for bad bacteria. That being said, drinking out of plastic bowls tends to be fine; it is using plastic bowls for food where the real issue lies.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS

No matter whether your cat splashes in their water dish, pushes it around the room, or flips it upside down completely, there is a spill-proof cat water bowl out there that can act as an effective solution! The most important thing to think about is how it is your cat is making a mess, and select a product that works to stop it.

My top-rated untippable cat water bowl is my favorite as it protects against all kinds of spillages, but if you do choose to shop around, hopefully my buying guide will make the job easy. Water spillages may seem like a trivial problem in comparison to others, but it has a super simple solution, so swap your bowl and rid yourself of these frustrations today!