If you find yourself taking long walks, hikes, or regularly exercise with your dog pals, you’ll want to make sure to get the best portable dog water bowl to keep your four-legged pal hydrated. Water, especially in hotter conditions, is crucial to make sure your dog doesn’t overheat or dehydrate when going on camping trips that include hikes around the area, or simply a long walk around the neighborhood in the summer heat.
How Dogs Regulate Heat
The primary way that a dog regulates their body temperature is through panting. Dogs do sweat, though very minimally, and is not the main way that they can lower their body temperature during times of overheating.
You’ve probably noticed your dog starts to pant with their tongue flopping out of their mouth when they are exercising or it is simply a hot day. While a panting dog may look like they are happy and having a great time, keep in mind that the dog is also probably getting quite warm and even more likely to be very thirsty!
Keeping around a portable water bowl for your dog is very important to make sure your dog can replenish their fluids and make sure that the poor thing doesn’t overheat.
Quick Look at the Dog Bowls
| Portable Dog Water Bowl | Rating |
| MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle | Best overall |
| Awakelion Collapsible Dog Bowl | Best collapsible dog bowl |
| SLSON Collapsible Dog Bowl, 2 Pack | Best budget friendly water bowl |
| lesotc Pet Water Bottle for Dogs | Best dog travel water dispenser |
| Outward Hound Dog Bowl | Best portable dog bowl |
| PetBonus 4-Pack Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls | Best collapsible dog bowl pack |
Best Portable Dog Water Bowls
MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle
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Best overall portable dog water bowl
The MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle has a built-in water bowl at the top that can be filled by the simple press of a button. The convenience of having a water bowl attached to the water bottle is such a convenience and space saver. You’ll never forget a water bowl for your dog again.
Our favorite thing about the MalsiPree is that there is plenty of water that can be stored, it is easy to clean, and filling the bowl area is a breeze. Some other competitors require squeezing to fill the bowl which can get messy. The bottle is also lightweight and comes in two sizes. The 19oz is a great option for multiple pets that may be walking or hiking with.
Pros
- Bowl is built right into the bottle
- Quick water filling with the press of a button
- Comes in two sizes, with the larger great for multiple dogs
- Comes apart easily making it easy to clean
- Leak proof design
Cons
- For extra large dogs, the water bowl can be hard to work with their oversized tongues!
- Not dishwasher safe
- Not as sturdy as a hard bowl so can spill food or water easier
Awakelion Collapsible Dog Bowl
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Best collapsible dog bowls
We’ll admit, the Awakelion Collapsible Dog Bowl set is one of the cooler looking sets we’ve come across and almost made the top spot. Frankly, this might just be what you’re looking for if you’re into the durable, cloth design that is pliable enough to be stuffed into any bag without worrying that it will bend or break.
This kit comes with two collapsible bowls and another container to hold your dog’s dry chow. We really love the look of these bowls and they make for a great addition to anybody’s camping gear. Our dogs also seem to prefer these bowls over the traditional stainless steel or silicone bowls that are popular today.
Pros
- Durable cloth design that is eco-friendly and lightweight
- Non-toxic materials stitched from oxford cloth and waterproof lining
- Collapsible and pliable that is easy to pack and store
- Fun design that makes a great addition to camping and hiking gear
- Comes with an additional container to store dry dog food
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe (obviously!)
- Only comes in one size
SLSON Collapsible Dog Bowl, 2 Pack
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Best budget friendly dog water bowl
If you are searching for a portable dog bowl, chances are you had one of these in mind. The SLSON collapsible dog bowl is the classic design that’s been popular for ages, and for good reason. The simple and utilitarian design of a collapsing silicon bowl makes it easy to pack and stow away for camping trips, hikes, and picnics. There is also an included climbing buckle that can strap onto a backpack, adding even more convenience.
Buying the two-pack comes in handy for designating one bowl for food and the other for water. These collapsible dog bowls are also easy to clean, and are dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Collapsible bowl for portability
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable and built to last
- Attached carabiner to hook onto a dog harness, leash, or backpack
- Lightweight
- Comes in two packs for dog food and water
Cons
- You’ll need to clean these often as dirt and dust get caught between the collapsible panels
- Some dogs don’t like drinking from silicon bowls
lesotc Pet Water Bottle for Dogs
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Best dog travel water dispenser
The Iesotc Pet Water Bottle is one of the funnest ways to travel with water for your dog. This portable dog bowl is part of the top and can be filled by squeezing the water container. Not only is this a blast to do (your kids will love it), but the dogs seem to get joy out of licking the water as it’s shooting out from the bottle too!
The safe and lightweight design is made of HDPE stock, which is a safe type of silicone suitable for food. We’ve also found very little to no leakage, despite its design to bring out water on command.
Pros
- Easy squeeze feature to fill up the water bowl
- Water bowl is attached to the water container making it easy to pack
- Silicone parts can detach for simple cleaning
- Comes in multiple fun colors and sizes
Cons
- Good for a quick drink but can’t be used as a standalone water bowl
- Squeeze feature actually spills water leading to some water waste
Outward Hound Dog Bowl
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Best portable dog bowl
Another soft-construction, portable dog bowl we looked at is the Outward Hound Dog Bowl. This single bowl can easily be folded, and is durable enough to take lots of punishment. Whether you’re going on a hike or a long camping trip, keeping this around in your backpack ensures that your four-legged pal has plenty to drink through the entire journey.
Pros
- Collapsible for lightweight storage
- Very easy to clean and dries quickly
- Large 48 oz container to hold plenty of food or water
- Designed to last many camping trips and hikes
- Fairly cheap in price
Cons
- Included clip is not tight and can slip off your belt
- Only comes in a single pack and color
- Not dishwasher safe
PetBonus 4-Pack Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls
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Best collapsible dog bowl pack
If you’ve got multiple pets or you’re known as the responsible one in your group, grab the PetBonus 4-Pack Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls and have plenty of extras handy for all pets on a camping trip or hike. These silicone bowls are very affordable and make sense to buy in bulk. You can keep one in your camping pack, one in your car, and another for your daily walks to make sure you have a bowl at all times for your thirsty canine!
Pros
- Affordable 4-pack to keep around extras
- Dishwasher safe
- Includes a carabiner with each bowl
- Great for cats or dogs
Cons
- Smaller size can get easily knocked over by larger dogs
- Need to clean often
FAQ
How often should you wash your dog’s bowl?
Dog water and food bowls should be washed daily if possible. However, it is easy to forget a day or two in between which will probably be fine but not recommended. The most important thing is to wash your dog’s bowls if you definitely see any sort of dirt or debris in between uses (especially the water bowl).
Be sure to thoroughly rinse the bowls to make sure your dogs are not ingesting any sort of soap.
Should dogs drink out of metal bowls?
Most metal bowls on the market are stainless steel which are perfectly fine to use for dogs. In fact, our experience is that most dogs prefer stainless steel as they are very low in odor.
Is it okay for dogs to share water bowls?
For the most part, it is perfectly fine for dogs to share water bowls. There are rare cases where this would not be sanitary, for example, if either dog is exhibiting symptoms of sickness or parasites. Some dogs can also be a bit territorial with their water so be on the lookout for that.
What is the best material for a dog water bowl?
The materials to look for in a dog water bowl are either stainless steel, silicone, or a waterproof, synthetic liner.
What should I look for in a travel dog bowl?
A travel dog bowl should be portable and durable. Both of these are crucial to make sure your pet’s bowls do not wear down easily and are able to handle the tussle of traveling.
Keep a Bowl On You At All Times
Never let your dog go thirsty! Keeping a bowl on you to allow your dog access to fresh water isn’t just a good idea, it’s a priority. Your dog needs to stay hydrated and able to regulate heat in order to avoid health complications and discomfort. Always have plenty of water on hand to keep your furry buddy a happy camper!