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If your pup is your plus one for all your favorite outdoor activities, you’ve probably realized how inconvenient human water bottles are for dogs, with many scenarios leading to major water loss or dog slobber in your drinking vessel. That’s why pups need their own dog-specific water carriers—which is why dog water bottles and travel bowls are so handy.
Dog-specific bottles and portable bowls are great for hikes, beach trips, and other outdoor activities with your dog. They’re an especially good idea for the summer months when heat stroke and dehydration become very real risks. But anyone who likes to hike with their dog knows how important it is to make sure you’re both well-hydrated in any season—and we think you’ll find yourself bringing your dog’s water with you everywhere they go.
Best Overall: MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle (Verified Review)
This dog water bottle from MalsiPree is a fan favorite with over 30,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. In our testing, we found it incredibly convenient for dishing out and conserving water—just press the button to dispense the water, then press it again to return unused water to the bottle. Available in 12-ounce and 19-ounce capacities, this bottle gets high marks for its slim, bag-friendly profile. One caveat? Its food-grade plastic base isn’t dishwasher safe.
Still, this is a strong contender for your dog’s everyday bottle and a good choice for a day on the town or a trip to the beach. Serious hikers and campers, however, may want to look for something more hardwearing. We also found it a little finicky for large dogs and big drinkers.
Key features:
- Popular option on Amazon
- Leak-proof seal prevents spills
- Button to release and recycle water
- Available in two sizes: 12-ounce and 19-ounce capacity
Best Budget Pick: GULPY Water Dispenser for Dogs (Verified Review)
The Gulpy offers a classic design that’s affordable to boot. Made of plastic and weighing only 2.4 ounces, it’s a great lightweight water bottle for everyday outings with your dog.
To dispense the water, simply squeeze the bottle and let the water flow into the attached bowl that flips down. Our testers especially liked that it’s easy to use one-handed (helpful when wrangling multiple dogs). But while you can control the output, there isn’t an option to suck the excess water back in like the MalsiPree above. And because it’s super lightweight, the Gulpy isn’t as tough as some of the other water bottles on our list, making it a better choice for the car and the beach than a rugged trail.
Key features:
- Simple lightweight, budget-friendly design
- Clips to your waistband or fits in a side compartment of a backpack
- Fits in most car cupholders
- Holds 20 ounces of water
Best Detachable: OllyDog Sharable Water Bottle (Verified Review)
Unlike the MalsiPree and Gulpy dog bottles above, the OllyDog offers a detachable bowl. This design lets you share a water bottle with your pup without getting their backwash. It’s also great for dogs who prefer to drink from the ground rather than your hand. In fact, the OllyDog was our test pups’ favorite out of all the dog water bottles they tried. They found it perfect for camping, hikes, and the dog park—but not ideal for in-car use, since it’s more likely to spill with the detachable bowl.
Made from BPA-free and vegan dishwasher-safe material, the OllyDog is available in one-liter and 600-milliliter sizes with a detachable cap and snap-on bowl for easy water access.
Key features:
- Detachable bowl that’s great for sharing
- Made from BPA-free plastic
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in five colors and two sizes: one liter and 600 milliliter
Best Filter: PETKIT Dog Water Bottle with Filter
Similar to the MalsiPree water bottle, the PETKIT filtered water bottle has a connected bowl that fills up and retracts with the push of a button. But what makes this water bottle different is its filtration system. A coconut shell-activated carbon filter absorbs impurities and removes chlorine from your dog’s water so you can filter it wherever you go.
The lightweight design and attached wristlet make this water bottle convenient for walks. It can also easily fit into the side pockets of backpacks. But while it’s suitable for short adventures, it might not hold enough water for larger dogs, especially on long hikes.
Key features:
- Filtered dog water bottle
- BPA-Free
- Sealed silicone and the lock key to prevent leaks
- Available in two sizes: 10 ounces and 14 ounces
Best for Car Travel: Highwave AudoDogMug Water Bottle
Touted as a “one-handed hydration system,” this 20-ounce dog water bottle and bowl combo fits in any standard car cupholder. It’s a more durable, dishwasher-safe take on the MalsiPree bottle: squeeze the base to deliver water to the attached bowl, then release it to allow the excess water to run back into the bottle. Its only downside is that it’s a little less bag-friendly—leaks can happen, and if your dog isn’t a tidy drinker, you may get a bit wet. But its larger volume and sturdier frame make it an excellent outdoor option for the great open road.
Key features:
- Fits standard car cupholders
- Holds 20 ounces of water
- Food safe, BPA free, dishwasher safe
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap attaches the bottle to your waistband or backpack
Best Large Capacity: PupFlask Large Dog Water Bottle (Verified Review)
Whether you’re going on an all-day adventure or have a large-breed dog who needs more water, the PupFlask dog water bottle is an excellent large-capacity choice. Available in 27 ounces and 40 ounces, both sizes have a foldable food-safe silicone bowl attached to the stainless steel bottle. The top also features a leak-proof lock and an extra-wide opening that fits ice cubes. The only drawback is that it’s not double-walled, so it won’t keep water cold for an extended period.
We tested this one as well and loved the larger capacity and the big leaf-shaped bowl. The quick-release button was also handy for letting water roll back into the bottle. We found it worked well for short hikes, walks with multiple dogs, romps at the park, and even a multi-day road trip. Being made of stainless steel, it is on the heavier side, though. So you might want a lighter option for longer trails or backpacking.
Key features:
- Large capacity: 27 and 40 ounces
- Extra-wide mouth stainless steel bottle
- Large leaf-shaped bowl for multiple dogs
- Button so unused water can go back into the bottle
- Designed with a hand strap for easy carrying
Best for Hiking and Backpacking: Ruffwear Trail Runner Ultralight Bowl
Having a lightweight, compact water bowl comes in clutch when hiking, backpacking, or trail running with your pup. Shedding any extra weight can keep you and your adventure dog going for hours.
This ultralight dog bowl by Ruffwear weighs a mere 18.1 grams and folds into an integrated pocket, making it easy to stow in a running vest, the front pocket of your backpack, or even on your dog’s leash. Even with the compact size, it still holds a lot of water—a liter, to be exact. Some pet parents point out, though, that the opening is a little small for bigger dogs. If that’s the case, Ruffwear also makes the Quencher dog bowl that comes in a large size.
Key features:
- Lightweight and compact water bowl
- Holds up to a liter of water
- Stuffs into a small pocket for portability
- Made of durable and waterproof fabric
Best Collapsible Bowl: PetBonus Collapsible Travel Bowls
Available in a range of sizes, these super affordable collapsible bowls save a ton of space. Each has a 12-ounce capacity, which means they can hold about a cup and a half of food or water, and they collapse down to a disc that’s just half an inch thick and five inches wide. Due to their compact size, they’re excellent to have stored away in your car or packed in a backpack for spontaneous adventures. Each comes with an attached metal carabiner, making it even easier to clip on a bag, purse, or belt for hikes or car rides. Best of all, they’re dishwasher safe.
While these are super portable and convenient, larger breed dogs may need more refills to keep them well-hydrated.
Key features:
- Portable and convenient—just pop open and fold away
- Made from food-grade silicone
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Two-pack offers more bang for your buck
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized durability, portability, and versatility when selecting products. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pups, who are never stingy with their feedback.
