I always take the water dishes out of my tubs. Just take them out before you start preparing the food. Mine just know it as routine now that I'm going to take stuff out of their tub before they get fed so it doesn't bother them. I just don't want to have to clean up an easily avoidable mess if they decide that bump into the water bowl or drag the rat through it. Much easier just taking it out and replacing it when they are done.