A thirsty dog will drink from anywhere – dirty puddles, streams, ditches – and it’s hard to stop them, even if there might be health consequences. Puddles can be a cocktail for all sorts of nasties, from chemicals to bacteria and disease. And sometimes when you are walking your dog on a hot day you might recognise your dog is panting, but you don’t have any water to give him. Even if you’re carrying a bottle of water for yourself, it’s tricky trying to transfer that liquid into the dog’s mouth efficiently. You could carry round a bottle and a bowl, of course, but the best water bottles for dogs combine the two, so that your pup is able to drink whenever he needs to while out exercising.
The most common design for doggy water bottles features a bottle attached to the bowl, which is moulded around the bottle making it compact and portable. You pull out the bottle from the bowl section, and squeeze water into the bowl. Any unused water can be discarded or poured back in, the bowl and bottle slotted back together and you continue your walk.
Another design avoids the need for a bowl, featuring a bottle with a ball bearing mechanism, similar to those found in hamster cages, so when the dog lips the tip, the water is released. This means he just drinks what he needs, as water doesn’t splash around everywhere, but he’ll need to learn the technique and it’s not as easy to quench the thirst.
6 of the best water bottles for dogs
Vivaglory Water Bottle
Capacity: 750ml
Material: Stainless steel, plastic bowl and neoprene holder
Weight: 250g
Reasons to buy: Large capacity for longer walks
A high-quality, large bottle in a comfortable neoprene holder. It comes with a handy adjustable strap, so you can carry it easily if you don’t have a bag, while the neoprene protects your bottle from scratching or denting. The holder is available in four colours: black, green, orange and red.
Use the reversible cap as a drinking bowl.
The large capacity is handy for long walks and large dogs. The water stays cold in the stainless steel, and the bottle doesn’t leak at all.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
Tuff Pupper PupFlask
Capacity: 800ml or 1,200ml
Material: Stainless steel and silicone bowl
Weight: 133g
Reasons to buy: Very lightweight and several sizes available
A large stainless steel flask with a collapsible silicone bowl cup, which flips back down when not in use, while the steel material keeps the water cool. H&H loves the large sizes – it’s handy to be able to carry over a litre of water for hot days and long walks. The drinking bowl is also a decent size to give your dog a good drink, and you can drain unused water back into the bottle.
Comes in four colours: blue, green, red and purple.
Separately, you can buy a PupFlask neoprene insulated bottle holder with strap to carry it. If you buy just the bottle, it only has a a hand strap for carrying.
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
LumoLeaf Portable Dog Water Bottle
Capacity: 800ml
Material: Stainless steel and silicone bowl
Weight: 430g
Reasons to buy:
This stainless steel bottle has a good capacity, and the flip-up silicone bowl is large enough for your dog to dip his mouth right in.
The bottle has a wide opening, which means you can add ice cubes for hot days. It’s easy to control how much water you pour into the bowl with a lock button in the lid, and you can drain unused water back into the bottle.
It has a carabiner to attach to a backpack, or a hand strap for carrying. Available in blue or grey.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk
Hjhy Dog Water Bottle
Capacity: 600ml
Material: Plastic and silicone bowl
Weight: 567g
Reasons to buy: Budget friendly
Plastic is undoubtedly less efficient at keeping water cool, but it does come at a much cheaper price than the stainless steel options.
This water bottle is made from 100% food grade silicone and plastic; it is BPA free, FDA approved, lead free.
You simply flip the silicone leaf out, open the cap and squeeze water into the leaf bowl.
It has a removable strap, for easy carrying. A quality water bottle at a competitive price.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk
Long Paws Lick ’N Flow Water Bottle
Capacity: 250, 500 or 750ml
Material: Stainless steel
Weight: 100g
Reason to buy: Innovative drinking style makes this bottle less bulky
This bottle features a floating ball which stops water flowing and releases when your dog licks, meaning the dog can drink straight from the bottle.
It has a clip to attach to your bag or belt. Three sizes for all walking requirements.
In the UK? View at amazon.co.uk
Kong H2O Dog Water Bottle
Capacity: 270ml
Material: Stainless steel and polypropylene bowl
Weight: 50g
Reason to buy: Compact size and light weight – good for smaller dogs
This is a stylish water bottle particularly ideal for those that head out with a buggy or a bike, as it fits neatly in standard copy holders. It also has a carabiner attachment for a backpack or belt.
The lid doubles up as a bowl, so you simply remove the lid, and pour the water in for your dog to drink.
It doesn’t hold a large amount of water at 270ml, however it makes up for that by being so lightweight. An ideal bottle for quick trips rather than hikes, and a smart design which you could easily confuse with a human’s coffee mug!
In the UK? View now at amazon.co.uk or viovet.co.uk
In the US? View now at amazon.com
How to choose the best water bottle for dogs
First, consider your dog’s size and exercise requirement. The capacity of the bottle will depend on the length of your walks and but also your climate – longer walks in hot weather will require a bigger bottle. If you’re concerned about your pooch in hot weather, read our articles on how to keep dogs cool and our guides for best dog cooling mats, best dog cooling jackets and best paddling pools for dogs.
Another consideration is the material the bottle is made from. Some materials, such as stainless steel or ceramic, keep the water cooler for longer, while plastic is more economical.
Finally, think about how portable you need the bottle to be. Some are designed to fit in the cup holder of a car, while others have a handy carabiner attachment to clipping to backpacks. If you don’t want to be weighed down, look for a lightweight bottle.
You may also enjoy reading…
Is it too hot to walk your dog? Here’s how to make your summer strolls safe
Scoop that poop: 6 of the best dog poo bags
Best bags for easy access to all your dog walking accessories
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Subscribe today and enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus unlimited website access and digital versions of the magazine dating back to September 2012.
