Dogs need plenty of water throughout the day, so a water bowl should be accessible at all times. Which are the best dog water bowls? And are there any brands or types you should avoid? Keep reading for our top picks.
Finding the best dog water bowl isn’t always easy. There are hundreds on the market, ranging from basic plastic bowls to filtered watering devices, so choosing can be hard.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve reviewed the best dog water bowls on the market. We’ve tested a variety of bowl types, such as elevated, bottle, collapsible, outdoor, and spill-proof.
If you’re in a hurry, our top pick for a dog water bowl is the Loving Pets Metallic Bella. It’s a stylish bowl with a durable stainless steel design, so it’ll last a long time. The Bella is also bacteria-resistant and has a slip-resistant rubber base.
Our Top Recommendations
- Our #1 Choice for a Basic Water Bowl: Loving Pets Metallic Bella
- Best Spill-Proof Bowl: Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl
- Best Elevated Bowl: Dogit Elevated Stainless Steel Bowl
- Best Bowl for Large Dog Breeds: Gixsegie High Capacity Metal Dog Bowl
- Best Bowl for Outside: Yeti Boomer 8
- Best Portable Travel Water Bowl: Comsun Collapsible Silicone Dish
- Best Dog Water Bottle: Malsipree Dog Water Bottle
Contents
- Our Top Recommendations
- Which Are the Best Water Dishes for Dogs?
- Our #1 Choice: Loving Pets Metallic Bella (Stainless Steel)
- Best Spill-Proof Water Bowl: Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl
- Best Elevated Water Bowl: Dogit Elevated Stainless Steel Bowl
- Best Water Bowl for Larger Dogs: Gixsegie High Capacity Metal Dog Bowl
- Best Water Bowl for Outdoors: YETI Boomer 8 Stainless Steel
- Best Collapsible Travel Bowl: Comsun Collapsible Silicone Dish
- Best Dog Water Bottle: Malsipree Dog Water Bottle
- How We Chose and Tested Our Top Water Bowls
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
Which Are the Best Water Dishes for Dogs?
If you need a simple water bowl for indoor use, our top pick is the Loving Pets Metallic Bella. It’s a stylish indoor bowl with a paw-print design, many color options, and four available sizes. This bowl is also dishwasher-safe and has a no-slip rubber bottom.
The Bella’s stainless steel interior is bacteria-resistant and doesn’t hold odors. Like many metal bowls, the Bella is also machine washable, as long as you remove the rubber ring.
Stainless steel is highly durable, but we like how the poly-resin exterior provides a more attractive appearance. During our testing, we also found that the rubber base helps to prevent slipping and spilling.
A minor issue is that we found the Loving Pets Bella easy for bigger dogs to flip. If you have a large dog breed who often plays with their bowls, then you may want to look for a weightier design.
- Type: Standard
- Material: Stainless Steel Interior & Poly-Resin Exterior
- Sizes Available: Small (15 oz), Medium (27 oz), Large (54 oz), Extra Large (72 oz)
- Dishwasher Safe?: Yes
- Price Range: $
- Attractive design and multiple colors
- Stainless steel interior
- Machine washable if rubber ring is removed
- Not particularly heavy, so may spill if used by a boisterous dog
Our top recommendation for a spill-proof dog bowl is the Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl. It’s a simple product that can reduce mess from both long-eared and messy drinking dogs – plus it’s available for a great price.
The Slopper Stopper holds up to 1 gallon of water in its largest size. Compared with regular bowls, it has a narrower drinking opening, which prevents wet muzzles and ears. During our testing, we found the design also reduces spilled water from messy drinkers – although no bowl can prevent spilling entirely.
Keep in mind that the Slopper Stopper is not designed for dogs that flip over their water bowls. If your dog likes to turn over their bowl, look for a heavier option. During our tests, we were also disappointed that it doesn’t come with anti-skid feet, as the plastic slides easily along hard floors.
Even so, if you’re tired of mopping up water, it’s one of the best dog bowls.
- Type: Spill Proof
- Material: Plastic
- Sizes Available: XSM (0.3 gal), Small (1 gal), Medium (1 gal), Large (1 gal), Mammoth (1 gal) Note: Sizes above XSM refer to the diameter of the opening, not water contents.
- Dishwasher Safe?: Yes
- Price Range: $$
- Prevents wet ears and muzzles
- Greatly reduces spilling from messy drinkers
- Multiple size options for different breeds
- Doesn’t completely stop spilling (although spilt water is greatly reduced)
- Won’t work for dogs that enjoy flipping their bowl
- No anti-skid feet
If your dog has joint issues that make it difficult to drink or eat from the floor, an elevated bowl can be a good solution. Our favorite is the Dogit Elevated Stainless Steel Bowl, as it combines durable elevated construction with an easy-to-clean bowl insert.
There are two sizes available. The large Dogit raises the bowl around 6.5″ off the floor, which is plenty for big or giant breed dogs. The small version only raises the bowl around 3.3″, which is suitable for toy or small breeds.
We like that the Dogit comes with anti-skid feet. These make the bowl more stable when the dog is drinking, which is essential for pups with joint pain. We also found that the Dogit was easy to maintain, as the stainless steel bowl can be removed and machine-washed.
Note: You should always discuss elevated dog bowls with your vet before buying one. Elevated bowls are not necessarily safer or healthier for big dogs, and may even increase the risk of bloat.
- Type: Elevated / Raised
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Sizes Available: Small (10 oz, 3.3″ elevation), Large (30.4 oz, 6.5″ elevation)
- Dishwasher Safe?: Yes (Bowl Insert Only)
- Price Range: $
- Stylish design available in multiple colors
- Stainless steel bowl is easy to clean
- Anti-skid feet help keep the bowl in place
- Only two available sizes
Big dogs need large water bowls to ensure they always have enough fluid to stay hydrated. One of the best large water bowls is the Gixsegie High Capacity Bowl, as the biggest size is a huge 2.65 gallons. It also has a tray-like appearance and a heavy design to prevent it from being pushed around by big breeds.
Aside from its size, there’s nothing particularly special about the Gixsegie – but we found it to be a solid and durable water bowl. The food-grade stainless steel design means it looks great, is immune to rust, and is easy to clean. The bowl is also dishwasher-safe.
We also like the wide surface area of the Gixsegie, which is another reason why it’s amongst the best large dog water bowls. We found that this makes it less likely to tip over – even if a giant dog is slurping from it! It also means that more than one dog can comfortably drink at the same time.
- Type: Standard
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Sizes Available: Medium (0.85 gal), Large (1 gal), XL (1.25 gal), XXL (2.65 gal)
- Dishwasher Safe?: Yes
- Price Range: $
- Huge water capacity for big dogs
- Easy to clean or machine washable
- Stainless steel construction
- No anti-skid backing
Outdoor bowls need to cope with harsh weather conditions and a range of temperatures. With this in mind, our top recommendation is the Yeti Boomer 8. It’s a strong stainless steel bowl that’s rust-proof and puncture-resistant, making it a great choice for outdoors or travel.
The Yeti Boomer 8 is made with food-safe stainless steel. We found the Yeti to be highly durable, plus the non-slip ring does a great job of preventing it from slipping when your dog is drinking. It’s also dishwasher-safe, making it easy to keep clean.
This bowl has a large 62 oz capacity, so it’s suitable for big dogs. For smaller breeds, there’s also the Boomer 4, which has a 32 oz capacity.
- Type: Standard / Outdoor
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Sizes Available: Boomer 4 (32 oz), Boomer 8 (64 oz)
- Dishwasher Safe?: Yes
- Price Range: $$
- One of the best dog bowls for outdoors or a kennel
- Ultra-durable stainless steel construction and rust-resistant
- Non-slip ring reduces the chance of movement while drinking
- Expensive for a dog bowl
- Only two available sizes
The Comsun Silicone Dish is our top pick for a collapsible dog bowl. We found that this bowl is easy to collapse down to a much thinner size, so it’s great for traveling or hiking. When expanded, it can hold up to 25 oz of water, which is plenty for a hydration break.
Importantly, the Comsun is made using food-grade silicone, so it’s safe for your dog to drink or eat from. We also found that the silicone surface is easy to clean and the non-slip bottom helps to make it more secure when a dog is drinking.
A useful feature is the carabiner clip, which can be attached to your trousers or dog’s leash. It’s not the most durable bowl we’ve reviewed, but if you need a convenient travel bowl then we think it’s a great choice.
- Type: Foldable
- Material: Silicone
- Sizes Available: One Size (25 oz)
- Dishwasher Safe?: Hand-wash only
- Price Range: $
- Easy to fold down and highly portable
- Made from FDA approved materials
- Clip for attaching to your trousers, rucksack or leash
- Hand wash only
- Silicone is much less durable than other materials
My top recommendation for a dog water bottle is made by Malsipree. This bottle has a built-in drinking tray which can be refilled using a button, making it simple and easy to use. We also found it to be durable and perfect for longer hikes.
We really like how easy this bottle is to use when out walking. The one-handed operation is more convenient than other bottles we’ve tested, especially if you’re holding your dog’s leash in the other hand. The lack of a folding spout also makes the Malsipree less likely to leak.
Another feature we like about this bottle is that you can drain water your dog didn’t drink back into the bottle. If you’re on a long walk, being able to avoid wasting water can be important.
- Type: Bottle
- Material: Plastic
- Sizes Available: Small (12 oz), Large (19 oz)
- Dishwasher Safe?: No
- Price Range: $
- Handy bottle and water dispenser
- Convenient for providing water when travelling
- Easy to disassemble and clean
- Not safe for a dishwasher
How We Chose and Tested Our Top Water Bowls
All of the dog bowls featured in this article were chosen based on a combination of hands-on testing, our experience as dog owners, and a deep dive into customer reviews.
During our research, we came up with five basic criteria for selecting the best dog bowls. These were:
- Strong and able to withstand your pet’s daily use (including chewing).
- Difficult to tip over or move, as this can leave your dog without water until you notice.
- Easy to clean to prevent bacteria or algae growth.
- Available in multiple sizes to ensure there is an option for all (or at least most) dog breeds.
- Attractive to look at – especially if it’s an indoor bowl!
We then chose our top picks for common situations, such as for large dog breeds, elevated bowls, outdoors, and messy drinkers.
One thing we didn’t factor into our criteria was the dog water bowl material. Ceramic, stainless steel, and plastic bowls all have disadvantages and advantages, so the right option depends on your dog’s requirements.
While we think all of the products on this list are excellent bowls, it’s important to consider your dog’s requirements when choosing.
For example, if you need a bowl for travel, then a collapsible bowl or water bowl is the best option. If you need a bowl for outdoor use, then an ultra-durable option like the Yeti Boomer is far more suitable. And for dogs that prefer flowing water, a water fountain is often a good option.
Your dog’s preferences also play a role. Some nervous dogs may refuse to drink from certain bowls, often because they don’t like the way it looks or sounds (particularly if their collar tag hits it while drinking). It may take some trial and error to find a bowl that your dog likes to drink from, which is important for keeping them hydrated.
Related Article: If your dog prefers cool water, take a look at our guide to the best dog water bowl coolers.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you see worms in your dog’s bowl, they are likely a type of parasite. They may not be coming from your pet, however, so you should visit your vet to get them checked out. You may want to call in advance and ask whether the vet would like you to bring a sample of the worms (but make sure not to touch them!)
The best way to prevent algae in your dog’s bowl is to clean it regularly. In the summer months, a bowl might need to be cleaned every day – especially if it’s kept outside. Changing the water each day can also prevent algae from building up.
While elevated water bowls can be beneficial for some dogs, they are not necessarily healthier or safer. In fact, they may actually be more dangerous for bigger breeds.
In a 2000 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, it was found that an elevated food bowl increased the risk of bloat in big dogs. In fact, 52% of the cases of bloat in large and giant breeds were linked with a raised bowl. This study looked at feeding bowls rather than water bowls, but it’s possible that the effect is the same.
With that said, dogs with arthritis or other joint issues may find drinking from an elevated bowl to be more comfortable. You should discuss using an elevated bowl with your vet before buying one though.
Summary
If you’re looking for the best dog water bowl for general use, then the Loving Pets Metallic Bella is our top pick. It’s a stylish model that’s available in several colors and sizes – plus it’s highly durable and dishwasher-safe.
For messy drinkers, or dogs with long ears that fall into the water, the Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl is a great option. The design makes it much easier to keep your floors dry!
We hope this article has helped you choose the best dog water bowl for your pet. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please use the comments form below.
