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Dog water bottles are making a splash in the pet world. As squeezable silicon cups, button-operated flasks, and specially designed thermoses flood the market, a lot of pet parents might be wondering: does a dog really need their own water bottle? Are the cute new containers a gimmick or a useful device?
We talk about the latest hydration trend with veterinarian and Dog People Panelist Dr. Rebecca Greenstein to find out.
What the Experts Say About Dog Water Bottles
It’s no surprise that just like humans, dogs need access to fresh water throughout the day. A good baseline has your pup drinking roughly one ounce (or an eighth of a cup) of water per pound of bodyweight. That means 16-pound Dachshund needs about two cups of water per day, while a 60-pound German Shepherd needs almost eight cups—or more on hot or exercise-heavy days.
But is drinking at home enough, or should a dog have water on the go?
It depends on 1) the dog and 2) the outing.
Hydrating Based on Your Dog
As Dr. Greenstein points out, “It’s not a question of what works for a theoretical dog; it’s really about understanding and knowing your own dog and what it is they’re likely to drink from, and that can be very individual.”
If your dog needs reminders to drink around the house, carrying a dog water bottle on outings makes it that much easier to help your pup meet hydration goals; they have more opportunities to drink.
Conversely, if you have an enthusiastic drinker on your hands, a dog water bottle can help you control what your pup is slurping up. While stores and dog parks may have communal water bowls available, it’s not always a good idea to let your pup drink from them. They risk spreading diseases like worms, kennel cough, and salmonella.
Aleksandr Zotov via iStock
A dog water bottle or traveling dish makes it so you don’t have to worry about what’s lurking in public water dishes. And keeping your dog well hydrated can deter them from wanting to swig from that mud puddle or other questionable water source.
Hydrating Based on the Environment
Whether a dog water bottle is necessary also depends on the outing and the climate.
Serious adventuring like hiking, camping, and road-tripping always means taking water on the go. A stroll around the neighborhood, by contrast, might not require water most days—but when the weather is hot, the usual hydration math can change dramatically.
Ilona Shorokhova via iStock
Because dogs lose moisture from panting and get warm quickly thanks to their fur, they’re prone to dehydration. Dr. Greenstein emphasizes that it’s important to replenish lost fluids on a hot day, whether you’re out on a leisurely walk or running around at the dog park. That goes double for breeds with dense fur or double coats (like German Shepherds and Malamutes) and dogs who have trouble breathing, like senior pups and brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds.
“You want to replenish some of their losses by making sure they have access to water, whether that be a portable water bottle with you or stopping wherever you’re going,” said Dr. Greenstein.
But Do I Need a Dog–Specific Water Bottle?
Given the importance of keeping a dog hydrated, it’s reasonable to assume you’ll need to take water on the go at least some of the time when you’re out and about with your pup—but do you need to join the masses and get a fancy dog-specific water bottle?
It depends on what problems you’re trying to solve.
Chalabala via iStock
Most pet parents find sharing a human water bottle with a dog challenging, either from a hygiene perspective (you probably don’t want your pup to slurp directly from your own bottle) or a water-loss perspective (a lot of water goes to waste if you pour and let your dog slurp what they can before it hits the ground).
Dog water bottles are designed to avoid these difficulties—but how they go about it varies from bottle to bottle.
Some include a water container with a bowl attachment you can easily flip and squirt water into. Others can soak any remaining water back into the bottle, so no water is wasted. Many models include handles or clips that make them easy to attach to a purse or backpack.
For example, there’s the sleek MalsiPree Water Bottle, which comes with an attached drinking bowl and a button that lets you both dispense water from and retract it back into the bottle, minimizing waste. Our testers found it great for small dogs but a little finicky for big drinkers.
The squeezable Gulpy Dog Water Bottle is both a nice budget pick and a classic—it was on the market and hydrating dogs long before it was cool. The Gulpy looks like a regular human water bottle with an attached trough that flips out to form a water dish. It’s a sturdy favorite at the dog park, though we’ve found it does require a human hand for stability. This one holds 20 ounces, but it comes in a smaller 10-ounce size as well.
Then there’s the colorful OllyDog Water Bottle, which is one of the few options on the market that lets you and your pup (hygienically) drink from the same bottle. Its attached dish unclips fully and never touches the bottle’s mouth, making it a good option for hiking and situations where you only want to carry one canister. Our testers also appreciated that it’s dishwasher safe.
That said, you don’t necessarily have to run out and buy a special dog-specific water bottle. Collapsible travel bowls are an affordable, easy option that often work just as well as fancy dog-hydrating flasks (though you’ll still have to carry a separate water supply with you).
Collapsible bowls are also versatile, since they can hold both water and food for your pup when you’re on the road or the trail. We like this dishwasher-safe set from PetBonus.
If you’re using a travel bowl or refilling a dog water bottle using an outdoor hose, make sure to check the water temperature first. “Even though it’s a super convenient and acceptable way, the water temperature in a hose sitting in the sun can be scalding and create accidental burns,” said Dr. Greenstein. “So always test the water temperature first when you’re using a hose.”
| Product | Style | Capacity | Price | Cleaning | Reviews |
| MalsiPree Water Bottle | Water bottle (bowl with dispenser button) | 1.5 or 2.3 cups | $18.99 or $32.99 | Hand wash | 4.8 stars |
| Water bottle (detachable bowl) | 2.5 or 4.2 cups | $17.95 or $19.95 | Dishwasher | 4.6 stars | |
| Gulpy Dog Water Bottle | Water bottle (attached bowl) | 2.5 cups | $12.99 | Hand wash | 4.4 stars |
| Travel bowl | 1.5 cups | $10.99 | Dishwasher | 4.7 stars |
Final Verdict on Dog Water Bottles
So do you need a dog water bottle? To hydration on the go, we say yes.
If you and your pup are homebodies who love nothing more than hanging out at home or in the backyard, you might be able to do without. But if you and your dog experience hot summer weather, frequent the dog park, enjoy long hikes, or hit the road on drives, it’s important to carry water in a way you can easily offer to your dog.
Alona Siniehina via iStock
In short, dog water bottles aren’t just a gimmick; they provide clean and safe water in an all-in-one design for your pet to help prevent dehydration. You may not need water for yourself on a walk around the neighborhood in warmer months, but your dog might. Hooking one of these onto your belt or backpack, or tucking it into your dog’s backpack, means you never have to worry about their water supply, even if you don’t need your own.
Can you get away with a travel bowl? Sure! As Dr. Greenstein points out, “It’s a bit of a toss-up.” It really comes down to whatever tool makes it easiest for a pet parent to keep their dog hydrated. And your dog may have preferences, too—some pups prefer drinking out of a bowl, while others do well with a water bottle. Whatever keeps your pup happy and healthy!
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts, including Dr. Rebecca Greenstein of Rover’s Dog People Panel. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback (thanks, Remy and Lucy!).
Further Reading
- The 7 Best Dog Water Bottles and Travel Dog Bowls
- Sleek, Smart, Budget: A Review of the Malsipree, OllyDog, and Gulpy Dog Water Bottles
- 12 Dog Water Fountains for Your Thirsty Pooch
- What’s the Point of Dog Water Toys? They’re More Important Than You Might Think
- Kurgo Versus Ruffwear: Which Dog Life Jacket is Better?
