Dog water bottles are handy products that allow our pups to stay hydrated on the go while discouraging them from drinking from questionable water sources. But which ones are the best? We tested three popular models, each with a unique feature or two, to see how they stack up: the MalsiPree, the OllyDog, and the classic Gulpy.
The MalsiPree is a super sleek bottle with a neat trick: it lets you return unused water to the bottle with the press of a button.
The OllyDog water bottle prides itself on being economical; it lets you hygienically share a single water bottle with your pup.
The squeeze-powered Gulpy is the budget dog water bottle pick and an old favorite from before dog water bottles were big.
To see which water bottles could keep up with my doggos and me, I assembled my devoted canine companions, Remy and Lucy, and told them about their assignment. Remy was thrilled to try something new, while Lucy was hesitant (as always). Both agreed to help me pick a winner.
The MalsiPree: A Sleek, Button-Operated Bottle
The MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle is a stylish, portable container that comes in two colors: blue and pink. It’s reinforced with a silica gel seal ring and a sliding lock to prevent leaks. Its claim to fame is its button: you can quickly fill the bowl with water by pressing a button at the top of the bottle. When your dog is done, you press the button again to return the water to the storage bottle for future use.
The MalsiPree dog water bottle comes in two sizes: 12 and 19 ounces (1.5 or 2.3 cups). Both sizes include a strap you can wrap around your wrist for easy carrying on walks. At $17.99 or $22.99 (depending on size), this water bottle is on the pricier side.
Our testing was largely successful: I found I could easily hold and press the water dispensing button with one hand. When I first offered it to my pups after a play session outside, they were hesitant at first, because I was holding the bottle in my hand and it wasn’t on the ground like they were used to.
Remy got used to it quickly, though, and drank a sizable portion—which is how I came to realize the MalsiPree becomes a little unwieldy when the bottle is only half-full. I had to angle it downward to get a continuous flow while making sure not to spill what was already in the bowl—a little awkward.
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Remy testing out the Malsipree Dog Water Bottle.
What we liked:
- Sleek, easy-to-carry design
- Handy button to return unused water to the bottle
- No-leak silica gel ring and lock button for carrying in bag
What we didn’t like:
- Less convenient for heavy drinkers
- Not dishwasher safe
The OllyBottle: A Smart, Shareable Design
It’s easy to mistake the OllyDog OllyBottle for your own, but it’s definitely designed with dogs in mind. The OllyDog bottle is made from vegan, non-toxic, dishwasher-safe plastic. Unlike the MalsiPree and Gulpy dog bottles, the OllyDog water bottle bowl is detachable, so you can easily place it on the ground for your dog to drink from.
You don’t have to worry about losing the bowl; it easily attaches to the bottle when you’re back on the go. The cap features a silicone lid grip that makes it easy to open and close. It also has a loop handle so you can attach it to your backpack.
The OllyDog bottle comes in five colors—orange, purple, grey, blue, and green—and two sizes: 1 liter and 600 milliliters (2.5 or 4.2 cups). The price is comparable to the MalsiPree, varying from $17.95 to $19.95, depending on the size.
The OllyDog passed our tests with flying colors. The attached bowl slid smoothly off the container, and the bottle was simple to hold and pour. I left the bowl on the deck as my dogs played, and they came over to get a drink as needed.
I was initially hesitant about this water bottle, since the bowl is fully detachable (and thus lose-able). After using it, though, I quickly became a fan, and I think Remy and Lucy liked this style the best. We found it a versatile bottle, good for camping, hikes, or a day at the dog park—especially since the detachable bowl lets a human hygienically share the same water with their pups.
Remy and Lucy enjoying the OllyDog Water Bottle.
What we liked:
- Detachable bowl doesn’t require a human to hold it
- Lets humans and pups hygienically shares a bottle
- Large capacity
- Dishwasher safe
What we didn’t like:
- Fragile loop attachment between bottle and base; a little gentle handling is required
The Gulpy Dog Water Bottle: A Budget-Friendly Classic
The Gulpy Pet Water Dispenser has been around for ages, and at $12.99, it’s also the most budget-friendly dog water bottle on our list. This BPA-free container is versatile and convenient for both pets and pet parents. To use it, all you have to do is flip the water bottle up and then squeeze it to squirt water into the attached bowl.
It also features a belt clip on the handle to attach it to a bag or belt. The size is similar to an average water bottle, so you may even be able to stand it upright in a cupholder to keep it safe in your car.
The Gulpy comes in four colors: blue, green, orange, and yellow. It holds about 20 ounces (2.5 cups) of water, and our testers found it excellent for long walks on a hot day.
What I like most about this water bottle its convenience: it’s fast and easy to flip the water bottle up and squeeze it for the water to spill into the attached bowl. When you’re done, just fold the bottle and bowl back together, and you’re good to go. Its only drawback is that since the bowl is slightly curved, it can be a little unsteady on the ground—you may want to keep a hand on it while your dog takes a sip.
Remy taking a quick drink from the Gulpy Dog Water Bottle
What we liked:
- Great value for price
- Easy to use
- Cupholder friendly
What we didn’t like:
- Requires some help from a human on uneven surfaces
- Not dishwasher safe
Which Dog Water Bottle Is Best?
So is the MalsiPree, OllyDog, or Gulpy dog water bottle best? It depends on your needs.
For my dogs, the Gulpy is the most convenient due to its shape, size, and price. I like that I don’t need to worry about losing the attached bowl. With two dogs, this water bottle is the easiest for me to pull out and use with just one hand while keeping them under control. The one drawback to the Gulpy Dog Water Bottle, though, is that it doesn’t always stay balanced on its own, so you may need to hold it. I also like that the bowl attachment is long and narrow, so my medium-sized dogs can drink out of it at once (as long as Lucy isn’t being a bully).
What is the Gulpy best for?
- Fast, one-handed operation (nice for multi-dog families)
- Medium-sized pups
- Dog water bottle hunters on a budget
- Car rides and road trips (thanks in part to its cup-holder friendly design)
The OllyDog OllyBottle is a fierce contender as well, due to its size, portability, and unique design. Initially, I was worried I would be fumbling with the bowl attachment to get my dogs water quickly, but it worked out well. My dogs seemed to gravitate towards this dispenser because the bowl stood well on its own, making it similar to their water bowls at our house. This is a great option for camping or traveling, because you can also switch out the water for food in the bowl attachment if needed. Plus we like that it’s easy to share water.
What is the OllyBottle best for?
- Large dogs and big drinkers
- Sharing one bottle between pups and humans
- Hiking and camping; anywhere you want to leave a bowl on the ground instead of holding it
- Not hand-washing any more dishes (this one is dishwasher safe!)
While the MalsiPree is still a solid choice and helps you conserve water on the go, it can be challenging to get a fast flow of water out of the bottle when it’s less than half full. Due to its size, it’s best suited for small dogs for quick trips out and about.
What is the MalsiPree best for?
- Small dogs and light drinkers
- Bag-friendly, leak-free carrying
- Conserving water and minimizing waste
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testings and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We also considered price, portability, and capacity to round out our top choices. Additionally, 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.
Further Reading
- Kurgo Versus Ruffwear: Which Dog Life Jacket is Better?
- The Best Dog Floaties for Summer Swimming
- 7 Must-Have Dog Water Bottles and Travel Dog Bowls
- Review: Taking the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Day Pack Out for a Hike
- Do You Need a Dog Water Bottle? The Hidden Value of Portable Hydration
