Two year old constantly tipping the cats’ water bowl up

[Shesighs]

Is there any way to prevent this? I’m starting to think the poor cats will never be able to drink again

Sorry was responding to @Clymene . I don’t think he’d understand a naughty step or time out.

2 is too young for naughty step they need to be 3.

I was watching supernanny again when my DD was 2 to brush up on tips.

2.5 is surely old enough to understand “if you tip the cat’s water out you will clean it up”?
And consistently reinforce it?

Just put the bowls up on the side in the utility room/other room

So if he's smart enough to understand how to open stairgates, he can understand consequences.

Give him a cloth, get him to mop up the water. Give him the bowl, get him to pick up all the tiny bits of cat food.

He won't do it again because he knows it leads to boring consequences

I swear I own the worlds most stupidest cats but they managed to find their bowls when relocated out of the way of twat dog. If they seem to struggle just pick them up and point them at the food/water they should get it eventually.

Will do @Hellocatshome - thanks. Nearly broke my neck on another puddle today and sighed!

I can't believe a two year old has stronger hands than a 41 year old woman - you need better baby gates. Can believe he can scale them though, some kids are mountaineers.

Cats will find their food if you move it, they use smell far more than sight.

if a gate no good pop a cat flap on the bathroom door and put a latch at the top of the door.That way you can put the pet bowl in there

Too young for naughty step but he isn’t too young to have to help clean up. Also drastic solution but if you’re so irritated that you’re willing to throw money at it then you can get microchip cat bowls that only open for the cat.

If you put them on a high surface, these feeding dispensers are pretty good for both dry food and water.

Ridiculous

You need a crate.. Lots of treats.
Your toddler will soon get used to it!!

There are some tough nuts on here. He's two!

I love it when people say 'just say no'

Ours don't do that, but we have a baby gate on the kitchen and our bedroom so the cat has a few safe spaces to go to.

A quick Google of child development stages and you'll learn why you're conflating two completely different skills here.

Looks good. Although I slightly fainted at the price!

I really don’t think he’d see cleaning up as a sanction. He’d find it entertaining and make more of a mess.

He's 2 1/2. He's learning about actions leading to consequences. If he tips the water dish upside down water goes everywhere. Also if he does that, he has to clean it up.

@Clymene he would probably quite enjoy the cleaning up process. Plus, it involves a mop which he would be an absolute liability with!

Oh okay maybe my children were just outliers because I found telling them off or getting them to clean it up worked well.

They're teenagers now so I expect today's toddlers are much more sophisticated

The opposite I would think. I’m saying he wouldn’t understand so the opposite of your apparently more sophisticated toddlers turned teens, surely?

They’re less than a tenner? (Unless you want the size for a big dog?)

Of course he would understand why wouldn't he understand.
I mean you don't have to call it the naughty step but every time he does it immediately pick him up and take him to a spot of choice and sit with him there.

Can he help with the important job of giving the cat their water with lots of over emphasis about the thirsty cat etc. Can he have water play , help washing up etc. I'm sure you've tried all this. Move bowl to safe place. Get him to clean up , lots of empathy for cat etc

My cats preferred a bowl in the bathroom as well - the toilet bowl! Even falling in occasionally didn't seem to deter them.