The 7 Best Portable Dog Water Bottles of 2023

For a hydrated and happy pup

Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and expert living in Chicago.

Jump to a Section

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

JollyPup

You likely already know how important it is for you to stay hydrated (insert the obligatory "drink eight glasses of water per day" reminder here), but hydration is equally as important for your pup. And while making sure they have access to plenty of fresh water is easy at home, it can become more challenging when you’re on the go, whether that’s taking a long walk, hiking, camping, traveling, or simply playing at the dog park. Still, these are the times — particularly when it’s hot — that it’s more important than ever to keep your pup well-hydrated. Enter the beauty of a portable dog water bottle.

“Dogs, unlike humans, cannot regulate their temperature through sweating. Instead, they pant to cool down, during which saliva evaporates to cool the surrounding blood vessels of the mouth and tongue,” explains dog trainer Steve Frost, KPA CTP, president and lead trainer of A Sound Beginning Chicago. “Having a portable water bottle on-hand allows us to help our dogs replenish the fluids lost when panting, which can effectively combat overheating and even heatstroke, ensuring our pets remain safe and comfortable in warmer weather,” he says. And these days, there are plenty of options out there, offering a little something for every situation and every pup’s preference.

Ahead are some of the best portable dog water bottles, according to vets and dog trainers.

Amazon

Those looking for size variety, as well as a bottle that can easily fit into water bottle holders on bags and backpacks.

Anyone who wants to be able to toss their portable dog water bottle in the dishwasher.

Dr. Bernal is a fan of this pick for its built-in bowl and ease of use. “It’s a great, compact choice for when you and your dog are on the go," she says. "You can easily turn the bottle to the side and push the button to let water flow in the bowl." It also comes in two sizes, the smaller of which is especially good for puppies and smaller breeds. Either way, the overall size of the bottle is similar to that of a standard (human) water bottle, so it easily fits in places such as cup holders and water bottle pouches on backpacks.

A silica gel ring coupled with a lock button feature helps ward off unwanted leaks and spills. One major drawback: It definitely can’t be put in the dishwasher, which does make cleaning it a bit of an extra chore. It also bears mentioning that it’s not BPA-free. "This is the water bottle you see at every single dog park," says PEOPLE senior commerce writer Madison Yauger. "My dog loves it, and it's so convenient to carry around."

Price at time of publish: $17.98 (orig. $32.99)

Water capacity: 12 oz., 19 oz. | Size: 3 x 3 x 8 inches, 3 x 3 x 10 inches | Dishwasher Safe: No | Material: Plastic

Gulpy

Anyone who wants an affordable bottle that's also very light and easy to carry.

Those looking for a sturdy, long-lasting option. This isn’t particularly durable, and the plastic isn’t BPA-free.

“While it may not be as durable as a stainless-steel option, this weighs just 0.15 lbs. and can easily be used with one hand while you’re handling your dog in the other,” says Dr. Bernal, who also says it offers good quality for an even better price. Flip down the bowl (which is really more of a drinking trough) and give the bottle a few squeezes to dispense the water.

Also nice: You can pop in standard plastic water bottles in place of the included one, and it has a clip that makes it easy to attach to your belt or waistband and take with you on walks. (Because it’s so light, you’ll barely notice it.) Just be sure to hand wash it in order to maintain the integrity of the plastic material.

Price at time of publish: $10.40 (orig. $11.95)

Water capacity: 10 oz. | Size: 4.3 x 4.3 x 9 inches | Dishwasher Safe: Bottle is, lid isn’t | Material: Thermoplastic polymer

QVC

Those who want to ensure no water gets wasted while using the bottle, as well as picky pup drinkers who only want to drink out of real bowls.

People who want to be able to have their hands free while their dog is drinking, as you need to keep squeezing the bottle to dispense the water.

Dr. Freyer calls this “one of his favorites,” thanks to an innovative design that both prevents you from wasting water as well as minimizes spills. How it works: Grip and squeeze the bottle, and water will flow into the bowl that’s attached at the top. Once your pup is done drinking, release your grip, and any leftover water will go back into the bottle. It’s perfect for situations where you want to make sure you’re not wasting any H20 — think during hikes or when access to refills may be limited for a while.

The fact that the built-in bowl is an actual bowl is good for picky drinkers, though it does make carrying it around slightly more annoying since everything isn’t tucked in and compact. However, the attached fastener strap makes for a convenient hand strap, and there’s also a loop to add a carabiner.

Price at time of publish: $20

Water capacity: 20 oz. | Size: 4.25 x 3.5 x 8.5 inches | Dishwasher Safe: No | Material: BPA-free polypropylene

Amazon

Those who are out for long periods of time, since this bottle is made of FDA-grade stainless steel which is durable and keeps water cold for up to eight hours.

Those who can’t have both hands free to use the bottle, or who care about condensation developing on the bottle.

“This 22-oz. water bottle is perfect if you’re looking for a more durable, heavy-duty option,” says Dr. Bernal of another one of her favorites. She also points out that because it’s made of double-walled stainless steel (which is also BPA- and phthalate-free), it has the added benefit of keeping water cold for up to eight hours, a nice perk for your pup on hot days. Plus, the entire thing is dishwasher-safe, making cleaning a breeze.

It does come with a carabiner clip for easy attachment, but just keep in mind that it won’t fit in standard cup holders. You also will need to have both hands free in order to unscrew the top and pour the water into the attached bowl; the silicone grip on the outside helps with the grip in that scenario. However, the included bowl does have a nice wide mouth that makes it a good choice for many sizes of dogs.

Price at time of publish: $14.21 (orig. $16.99)

Water capacity: 22 oz. | Size: 3.6 x 3.8 x 8.4 inches | Weight: 8 oz. | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Material: Stainless steel

Amazon

Owners of big dogs, since it holds up to 25 oz., making it one of the largest options on our list.

Those on a budget, because it does come with a bit of a higher price tag than many others.

Jamie Freyer, DVM, a veterinarian at Veterinarians.org, recommends this choice, which holds an impressive 25 oz. of water and is great for bigger dogs or longer outdoor adventures. He likes that it’s made from BPA-, phthalate-free stainless steel and boasts a two-in-one design; unscrew the bottom portion and turn it into a bowl.

We like that the entire bottle is made from recyclable and sustainable materials, including even an eco-friendly paint finish. Just keep in mind that it does need to be hand-washed, and because it is a bit larger than many other dog water bottles, it can feel slightly bulky and more cumbersome. You’ll also need to have two hands free in order to use it.

Price at time of publish: $19.99

Water capacity: 25 oz. | Size: 9.5 x 3.25 x 3.25 inches | Weight: 0.7 lbs. | Dishwasher Safe: No | Material: Stainless steel

Lixit

Dog owners who bring their dogs on long car trips or camping, as well as owners of large and giant breed dogs.

Anyone looking for a portable pick to bring on walks or hiking.

With a whopping 3-qt. water capacity, Frost says this bowl is great for large and giant breed dogs; it’s also perfect for situations such as camping or in RVs, or even the car. (To that point, because it is so large, it’s definitely less portable and not the right pick to take with you on hikes and walks.) Still, it has a spill- and splash-proof design — it won’t spill even if it’s turned upside down.

There’s also a built-in bowl, and it is very reasonably priced, given how large it is. While it is large, it’s also very lightweight, thanks to the fact that it’s made from BPA-free plastic. And if you have two dogs that each want their own water bowl, it’s conveniently sold in a set of two.

Price at time of publish: $23.93

Water capacity: 3 qt. | Size: 8 x 3 x 12.2 inches | Weight: 0.01 oz. | Material: BPA-free plastic

JollyPup

Anyone who is concerned about the quality of the water their dog is drinking since it has a built-in filter; it can also be operated with one hand.

Those on a budget, since the JollyPup Portable Smart Pet Water Bottle is more expensive than many of the other options on the market.

While this option is pricier than many of the other portable dog water bottles out there (and the most expensive one on this list), it’s well worth every penny. First and foremost, it touts a built-in filter: “Water filters are a great way to ensure your dog is getting the best quality water he or she can drink, no matter where you go,” says Dr. Bernal. It’s also perfect for taking with you on the go; it has a removable lanyard that makes it easy to attach to any bag or even carry on your wrist. And if you do want to stash it inside a backpack or bag, you won’t have to stress about spills, says Frost. He’s a big fan of the leak-proof design (courtesy of an internal O-ring), as well as the inline bowl that slides out, a great space-saving element.

The design is both streamlined and stylish; the bottle even comes in four different colors. It’s also both durable and safe, made of food-grade, BPA- and lead-free thermoplastic polymer materials. We just wish it held more than 10.5 oz. of water.

Price at time of publish: $26.99

Water capacity: 10.5 oz. | Weight: 8.4 oz. | Size: 18 x 6.4 x 18 centimeters | Material: Thermoplastic polymer

Are you planning on using the bottle for quick walks or for week-long camping trips? Will you be using it every day or just occasionally? Dr. Bernal says the first thing to think about before choosing a portable dog water bottle is how you’ll be using it, as this will dictate certain other features you need to consider.

It’s important to make sure the bottle you choose can hold enough water for your dog, notes Dr. Bernal. In general, dogs should drink approximately 1 oz. of water per pound of body weight per day, although there are a lot of other factors that can affect this amount, she says.

This is the whole point of the bottle being a ‘portable’ dog water bottle, after all. Ideally, you want a dog water bottle that’s either easy to carry in your hands or has some type of attachment so that it can be clipped to a bag, like the Springer Classic Dog Travel Bottle or PetFusion Portable Insulated Dog Water Bottle offerings. If it's heavy or too wide to fit into most standard bottle holders or even too awkward to hold on your own, it may feel like more of a nuisance than anything else.

Most portable dog water bottles have a built-in bowl or dispenser of sorts, but they do come in all different shapes and sizes, and you’ll want to make sure the one you go with is comfortable for your dog. “An ideal portable dog water bottle should have a deep enough drinking reservoir to accommodate your dog’s respective tongue length,” says Frost. “He or she should be able to drip roughly a quarter of the length of their tongue in it.”

Each portable dog water bottle works slightly differently. Some you simply need to squeeze or tip over, others you may need to actually unscrew and pour into a bowl. To that point, some of them have a built-in bowl, while others do not.

Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference. However, if you choose to go with tap water, Dr. Bernal notes that filtering, if possible, ensures your dog will be getting the highest-quality water possible. (Or look for a bottle with a filter built in like the JollyPup offering!)

It can be challenging, particularly for dogs who have larger and/or longer tongues that won’t fit inside the bottle. That’s where portable dog water bottles with built-in bowls or dispensers come in, as these are designed to make it easy and natural for dogs to drink from.

Melanie Rud is a beauty and lifestyle writer who covers a wide array of topics and is also a dog mom to two rescue pups. She interviewed dog trainer Steve Frost, KPA CTP, president and lead trainer of A Sound Beginning Chicago, Jamie Freyer, DVM, a veterinarian at Veterinarians.org, and veterinarian Dr. Bernal to compile the products featured on this list.