5 Best Portable Dog Water Bottles for Keeping Your Pup Hydrated This Summer
Updated: Aug. 02, 2023
Keep your pooch cool and hydrated with a convenient and stylish portable dog water bottle—perfect for dog parks, road trips, hiking or camping.
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We love to include our dogs in travel plans. When adventuring with your furry companion, it’s important to keep them happy, comfortable and hydrated. While a dog hammock will bring comfort and safety to your pet passenger on the road, it is also essential to pack a convenient water source that you can easily tote or fit inside your travel backpack. Car rides and boat rides, camping and hiking and even days at the beach require lots of fresh, clean water.
Yes, dogs willingly (even eagerly) drink from puddles, creeks, rivers and lakes, but that can expose them to all kinds of parasites that cause illness. Drinking salt water at the beach can harm pets, too. Some dogs get upset tummies just by changing from your home tap water to the water from the hotel faucet.
A portable dog water bottle is the most convenient way to hydrate your pup on your next road trip or adventure (FYI: Make sure they’re safe with the best seatbelts, too). There are so many dog water bottle designs available, so we found the top options for summer fun with Fido.
Best dog water bottles
- Best overall: Springer Dog Travel Water Bottle
- Best budget: Gulpy Water Dispenser
- Best splurge: Asobu Water Bowl & Travel Bottle
- Best for hiking: Malsipree Dog Water Bottle
- Best for boats: Lixit Dog Travel Water Bowl
Best overall dog water bottle
Springer Dog Travel Water Bottle
There are several items dog owners should keep in their car, and this is one of them. As featured on Shark Tank, this easy-to-carry Springer Dog Water Bottle suits any size pup. Dog owners want convenient no-mess options, and this leak-proof bottle fits the bill—just fill it and go. Select between three sizes (mini, classic and growler) and four fashionable colors—all available at an affordable price. When your thirsty dog needs a drink, simply squeeze the pliable bottle portion to fill the cup at the top. Any leftover water flows back into the base.
Nancy Snyder, Senior Shopping Editor of The Pet Collective, takes her Springer water bottle everywhere she and her pup go: “I live in Phoenix where the temperature can get very warm. Having water on hand for Ernie is crucial, even if we’re just going for a quick trip to the park,” she says. “I love that I have the option to hold and squeeze the water bottle for Ernie to drink while we’re on a trail or in the car, or to fill it, lock it and set it out for him to drink from at his leisure—just like a regular water bowl. I purchased the 22-ounce bottle and it fits conveniently in my car cup holder for road trips, and clips easily onto my backpack for hikes.”
Pros
- Lightweight and portable for any kind of travel
- Three sizes: 15-ounce, 22-ounce and 44-ounce to fit your dog’s needs
- Leak-proof
- Economically-priced
- Dishwasher-safe
- Four fun fashionable colors
Cons
- Must squeeze/hold for the length of time the dog drinks (but if you’re willing to get your fingers wet, you can twist the lock shut to trap the water after squeezing it into the bowl)
Best budget dog water bottle
Gulpy Water Dispenser
Looking for a budget-friendly way to ensure your dog stays hydrated during short travel adventures or a quick trip around the block in scorching weather? The Gulpy Water Dispenser provides an economical solution to keep your dog safe this summer. Designed with convenience in mind, this squeeze water bottle for dogs can hold up to 20 ounces of water. Its lid is equipped with a hinged, fold-down trough dispenser, making it effortless for your furry friend to lap up water.
Plus, when not in use, simply fold the dispenser against the bottle and clip it to your belt for easy carrying. Additionally, the flip-top dispenser is compatible with standard water bottles. Choose from a variety of colors including red, blue, green or yellow to match your personal preference.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Perfect for walks
- Easy to clean
- Fits standard water bottles
- Four fun colors
Cons
- May be awkward to bend low and hold for small dogs to drink
Best splurge dog water bottle
Asobu Dog Water Bowl and Travel Bottle
The Asobu Travel Bottle offers a classy, stylish way to share water with your pup anywhere (like these pet-friendly national parks!). Yes, this one you’ll want to drink from, too. And no need to worry about “dog germs”—you both can drink without risk of cross contamination thanks to its brilliant design. For you, the gorgeous food-grade, stainless steel bottle has interior copper plating to ensure the 33 ounces of water stays cold for hours.
It features a screw-off bottom bowl perfect for your dog’s on-the-road water—complete with a cute paw print pattern. It comes in eight fun colors, and the easy-grip handle makes it comfortable to carry and clip to your belt, bike or any other secure location.
Pros
- Stylish, durable water bottle for dogs and humans
- Screw off dog bowl base
- Vacuum-insulated for keeping water cool
- Non-skid base
- Handy grip handle
- Eight color choices
Cons
- Pricier than other options on this list
- Inside of the dog bowl is plastic (some dogs may have allergies)
- Any unused water needs to be discarded
Best dog water bottle for hiking
Malsipree Dog Water Bottle
A convenient dog water bottle for hiking requires a size and weight that’s easy to tote, and a price you can easily afford. The Malsipree dog water bottle, which comes in 12 ounces or 19 ounces to accommodate pups of any size, checks off all the boxes. It features a hands-free wrist loop so you can still manage a leash while carrying the bottle. The colorful lid has a bowl-shaped trough for drinking. Simply use the one-handed spring-loaded button release to fill it with water.
The compact size and leak-proof gel seal means you can store it in a backpack without fear of water spillage. I personally tested and reviewed the Malsipree water bottle and can attest that it offers exceptional value, convenience and functionality—all while keeping my pup happy and hydrated. And, most importantly, it does not leak!
Pros
- Hands-free operation and carrying perfect for hiking
- Two convenient sizes
- Economical price
- Available in three colors
Cons
- Hand-wash only (bottle may shrink in dishwasher)
Best dog travel water bottle for boats
Lixit Water Boy
Travel can make dogs thirsty, especially out on the boat under blue skies without drinkable water nearby. The Lixit Water Boy holds three quarts of water in a handy container that won’t spill, even on the bumpiest of roads or the choppiest of waters. With a convenient handle for toting, you can set the Lixit bowl upright for storage or flat for dogs to drink when thirsty.
At a budget-friendly price, you can afford to purchase a pack if you have several thirsty dogs that need to drink at once. Also, if you’re planning on adventuring by boat or near a lake, be sure to also pack a dog life jacket.
Pros
- Designed for boats, cars, campers and SUVs
- Water storage and bowl combined
- Holds three quarts
- Non-spill design
- Economical choice
Cons
- Bowl is a little small for big dogs
- May need to supervise for dogs that want to chew
What to consider when buying a dog water bottle
When it comes to dog water bottles, not all options are suitable for every dog or situation, unlike universal products like poop bags. Similarly, different size dogs of various activity levels may require a no-pull dog harness while others do best in pet carriers. Consider your pooch’s size and planned activities to make an informed choice.
Active big dogs and vigorous outings necessitate larger water capacities, while smaller pets and short strolls may require less hydration. Select a container that can accommodate your dog’s water intake and allows for easy lapping for larger breeds. Portability is key, so opt for a dog water bottle with a user-friendly handle or a convenient carrying method.
Ensure that dispensing water for your pet is hassle-free. If leash control is necessary, choose an option that allows you to dispense water while managing the leash. Leak-proof or leak-resistant features are essential, especially when providing water in your vehicle. However, a little spillage might be tolerable on a boat or while hiking through the woods.
How we chose the best dog water bottle
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
Originally Published: May 30, 2023
