The Best Dog Water Bottles for Walks

The best dog water bottle for walks holds enough water, works with one hand and does not leak in your bag. Our top pick is the Springland 22oz Original Travel Dog Water Bottle, which fills an attached bowl when you squeeze. Below are five picks for different walks.

Our picks at a glance

• Best overall: Springland 22oz Original Travel Dog Water Bottle
• Best for sharing water: Kurgo Gourd Water Bottle & Bowl
• Best no-squeeze bottle: Lixit Thirsty Dog Water Bottle/Portable Bowl
• Best for hikes: Ruffwear Quencher Packable Dog Bowl
• Best for bigger drinkers: Kurgo Collaps A Bowl

The best dog water bottles

Best overallPhoto: Springland

Dog water bottles

22oz Original Travel Dog Water Bottle

Best for: Daily walks, dog parks and road trips

This bottle holds 22 oz. You squeeze it to fill an attached bowl with one hand. When you let go, extra water drains back into the bottle. The maker says it is made of food-safe, BPA-free polypropylene and comes with a carabiner. Skip it if you want a bowl with a listed size, since the page doesn’t give one.

• Pro: Squeeze to fill the bowl, release to drain extra water back into the bottle
• Pro: Leak-proof lock and an included carabiner
• Pro: Also sold in 15 oz, 20 oz and 44 oz sizes
• Con: The maker's page doesn't give a bowl size
• Con: Parts need to be taken apart to clean

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Best for sharing waterPhoto: Kurgo

Dog water bottles

Gourd Water Bottle & Bowl

Best for: Walkers who want one bottle for both of you

This 24 oz bottle has a top that slides open for you to drink. A snap-on cup holds 8 oz for your dog. Kurgo says it is PVC and BPA free and safe for the top rack of the dishwasher. Skip it if you have a large dog who needs a bigger bowl.

• Pro: Holds 24 oz, with an 8 oz detachable bowl
• Pro: PVC and BPA free, and top-rack dishwasher safe
• Pro: Covered by Kurgo's Lifetime Guarantee for manufacturing defects
• Con: The bowl is small for big dogs
• Con: You pour water into the cup yourself

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Best no-squeeze bottlePhoto: Lixit

Dog water bottles

Thirsty Dog Water Bottle/Portable Bowl

Best for: Dogs who need cold water on warm days

This 20 oz bottle has a flip-down bowl that fills when you unplug the bottle, so there is no squeezing. The wide mouth takes ice cubes, and the shoulder strap adjusts. The maker’s page doesn’t list materials. Skip it if you want a choice of sizes, since it comes in one.

• Pro: Bowl fills without squeezing
• Pro: Extra-wide mouth for adding ice cubes
• Pro: Adjustable shoulder strap that can be worn on a belt or wrist
• Con: The maker's page doesn't list the materials
• Con: Only one option, with no color or size choices

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Best for hikesPhoto: Ruffwear

Collapsible dog bowls

Quencher Packable Dog Bowl

Best for: Hikers who already carry their own water

This is a fabric bowl, not a bottle. It folds into a pocket or pack and holds about 4.2 cups (1 L). The lining is waterproof and labeled food contact safe. Ruffwear says to hand wash it. Skip it if you want one item that also carries water.

• Pro: Folds flat to fit in a pocket or backpack
• Pro: Waterproof lining labeled food contact safe
• Pro: Reflective trim for low light
• Con: Doesn't carry water, so you need a separate bottle
• Con: Hand wash only

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Best for bigger drinkersPhoto: Kurgo

Collapsible dog bowls

Collaps A Bowl

Best for: Larger dogs and car trips

This food-grade silicone bowl holds 24 oz and collapses to less than 1 inch high. Kurgo says it is PVC and BPA free and top-rack dishwasher safe. It pairs well with any bottle you already own. Skip it if you want a single bottle-and-bowl set.

• Pro: Holds 24 oz
• Pro: Food-grade silicone, PVC and BPA free
• Pro: Top-rack dishwasher safe
• Con: Doesn't carry water
• Con: Only one capacity listed

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How to choose a dog water bottle

Think about how far you walk

The American Kennel Club says to bring water whenever you take your dog out, and that dogs need at least one ounce per pound of body weight each day. Heat and activity raise that need. For short loops, a 20 to 24 oz bottle may be enough. For long hikes or big dogs, plan for more, or pack a bowl and a larger bottle.

Pick a bowl style

• Squeeze-to-fill bottles put the bowl on the bottle. You fill it with one hand.
• Bottle plus snap-on cup is simple, but you pour the water.
• Collapsible bowls are small and light but don’t carry water.

Check the materials and cleaning

Look for BPA-free materials and parts you can wash well. The American Kennel Club says to wash water bowls daily and to replace cracked bowls or bottles. Check whether the maker says the product is dishwasher safe or hand wash only.

Match the bowl to your dog

A small cup is fine for a small dog but slow for a big one. Check the bowl size on the maker’s page. Not every page lists it.

Safety tips

• Skip shared water. The American Kennel Club says communal bowls, puddles and standing water can carry germs and parasites, such as Giardia and the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. If you must use a shared bowl, check that the water is clear and clean first.
• Offer water often in hot weather. The American Kennel Club notes that heavy panting causes fluid loss, and it advises limiting hard exercise in the heat.
• Encourage picky drinkers. The American Kennel Club suggests ice cubes to chew on or water flavored with bone broth.
• Know the signs of dehydration. These include dry or sticky gums, thick saliva, low energy and sunken eyes. Puppies, senior dogs and toy breeds are at higher risk.
• Call your vet right away if your dog seems dehydrated and keeps vomiting, or if you think your dog has heatstroke.
• Wash and check your gear. Clean the bottle and bowl often, and replace any that crack.

Heading out with a leash that suits your dog too? See our guide to the best dog leashes.