It’s no secret that dogs need plenty of water to stay healthy. That’s why it’s important as dog owners to have a good water bowl for your dog that is easy to access and won’t spill. We’re sharing the best dog bowls along with reviews of some of the best options on the market. Keep reading for tips on choosing the right bowl for your furry friend!
Tips for Choosing the Best Water Bowl for Your Dog
When choosing your dog’s water bowl, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to make sure the bowl is made from a durable material that won’t break or chip easily. High quality stainless steel and ceramic are good options. You’ll also want to choose a bowl that is the right size for your dog.
If the bowl is too small, your dog may not have enough water to stay hydrated. And if your dog’s bowl is too large, your dog may end up spilling water all over the floor.
Finally, you’ll want to consider how easy the bowl is to clean. Some bowls have removable parts that make them easier to clean than others.
If you have a dog with long hair, you may want to choose a bowl that doesn’t have any nooks or crannies where hair can get trapped.
As your dog gets older, they may need a different type of bowl. A senior dog may have trouble bending down to drink from a bowl that is too low to the ground. In this case, you may want to choose a raised bowl.
If your dog has long ears, you’ll want to choose a bowl that is deep enough so their ears don’t end up getting wet. And if your dog is a flat-faced breed like a Pug or Bulldog, you may want to choose a bowl with a shallower depth to prevent them from accidentally tipping it over.
Finally, if your dog is a drooler, you’ll want to choose a bowl that is easy to clean. A bowl with removable parts is best so you can reach all the nooks and crannies where drool tends to collect.
Water Bowl Materials
When it comes to water bowls for dogs, there are a few different materials to choose from. Stainless steel and ceramic are two of the most popular options. We’ll also talk about plastic and silicone bowls, and bowls with filters. Here are some of the pros and cons of each type of water bowl material.
Stainless steel bowls
Stainless steel is a durable material that is easy to clean. It’s also best if your dog is a messy drinker, as it won’t absorb stains or odors.
Pros:
- A metal bowl is durable and easy to clean.
- They won’t absorb odors or flavors from the water.
- They are typically dishwasher safe.
Cons
- They can be slippery, making it difficult for your dog to drink from them.
- They can get dented or scratched.
- They can be more expensive than other types of dog bowls.
Ceramic bowls
Ceramic bowls are another popular option for water bowls. They are durable and easy to clean, like stainless steel bowls. But ceramic is a more porous material, so it can absorb stains and odors more easily.
Pros:
- They are durable and easy to clean.
- They come in a variety of colors and styles
- They are typically dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- They can be more expensive than plastic or silicone bowls.
- They can break if dropped.
- They can absorb odors and flavors from the water.
Plastic and Silicone bowls
Plastic and silicone are two of the most affordable options for water bowls. They are also lightweight, making them easy to travel with. But they aren’t as durable as stainless steel or ceramic, so they may not last as long.
Pros:
- They are lightweight and easy to travel with.
- They are typically less expensive than other types of bowls.
- They come in a variety of colors and styles.
Cons:
- They aren’t as durable as stainless steel or ceramic bowls.
- They can absorb odors and flavors from the water.
- The plastic ones can be chewed up by determined dogs.
Now that you know what to look for in a good water bowl for your dog, keep reading for reviews of some of the best options on the market!
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Top 20 Water Bowls for Dogs
1. Coldest Dog Bowl
These water bowls from The Coldest Water features a double stainless steel wall, no slip grip on the bottom, zero condensation, and is dishwasher safe, too. It also comes in three different sizes, multiple colors, and can be used for your doggo’s food, too.
Buyer Review: “I absolutely love this water bowl. Our dog loves to stay outside with us while we swim, but he doesn’t like to swim. I always had to refresh his water bowl or take him inside so he wouldn’t over heat. Now he gets to be with us without overheating. His water stays ice cold long after we’ve already gone back in. That’s saying a lot for our Florida afternoons! I have bought many products from the Coldest and have never been disappointed. Great quality and great value.”
2. Frost Buddy Stainless Steel Insulated Dog Bowl
Another highly rated stainless steel option, this insulated water bowl from Frost Buddy comes in 42 oz, 64 oz, and 100 oz sizes. Different colors include some fun patterns as well as solid colors. The anti-slip rubber base helps so it won’t move around as your dog is drinking.
Buyer Review: “Our pup loves this water bowl. It is durable, easy to clean, and keeps the water cool even on hot days. We tried a few different bowls until we found this one. He can’t knock this one over which is nice.”
3. UPSKY Dog Bowl Dog Water Bowl
This unique water bowl has a floating cover that sits on top of the bowl and serves as a slow water feeder. When your dog licks the floating disk, the water is released. It might take some getting used to for your dog, but it can help slow down fast drinkers and reduce water spills.
Buyer Review: “I bought this for my dog because he always drinks like he’s never had water. Then soon after he would vomit some back up. I was iffy about the purchase but saw some reviews and gave it a shot. When it arrived I filled it up half way because it was bigger than his regular drinking bowl. He got the idea right away I didn’t have to prompt him and he drank half the water in the bowl instead of all of it in one shot. He burped right after and that’s it! no more puking! I would definitely recommend this product!”
4. Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl
The Slopper Stopper bowl is another great choice for reducing water spills. This one is geared towards big dogs, and holds an entire gallon of water. It’s made of stainless steel and also comes with a lid.
Buyer Review: “I have an 11 month old Great Dane puppy that is about 130 pounds. This bowl is worth every penny! Not only does it prevent 95% of the water bowl ending up on my floor, but I can also add ice cubes to my great dane’s water without her taking the cubes all over the house or worrying about her choking while I’m gone. My dog learned how to use it in less than two minutes. LOVE! I will be purchasing a second one for upstairs.”
5. Hydrapeak Dog Bowl
Hydrapeak’s dog bowl is a great insulated stainless steel bowl with a rubber bottom to reduce slipping. It comes in a 32 oz and 64 oz size, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Buyer Review: “Overall, this 8-cup bowl is great! We have been using two YETI bowls for a couple of years and the quality of them is top notch. This HydraPeak bowl is very close. It has four non-slip arcs on the base, instead of a full circle, but so far the bowl has not budged while in use (we only use this bowl as a water dish). It is also lighter in weight than the YETIs (great when cleaning!) which makes it feel like a slightly lower quality bowl but so far the quality is right up there. The stainless steel inner cleans up very easily and the colored outer hasn’t shown any scratching or denting. My dog is a Greater Swiss (large breed) who LOVES water. He will try and lick every last drop and will sometimes nudge an empty bowl with his nose to indicate that it’s empty. So far, he has not knocked this over. I am now thinking of purchasing another HydraPeak bowl for the car! Great product!”
6. PetFusion H2O Gravity Dog Water Dispenser
This water dispenser is a perfect option for families with multiple pets who drink a lot of water. The dispenser holds up to two gallons of water so your dogs always have plenty. The water basin is BPA free and top rack dishwasher safe.
Buyer Review: “This water dispenser works great for our two dogs (an 80lb lab mix and a 15lb Boston Terrier). The locking feature is awesome because our lab mix is notorious for accidentally knocking stuff over. We have been using it outside for this reason but so far the locking feature has prevented any spills. The wide mouth allows for easy cleaning inside the reservoir. I can easily see when it needs a refill. Overall a great product.”
7. LIDLOK Elevated Bowls
This elevated dog bowl can be adjusted for two different heights, is perfect for senior dogs, and the self-adjusting floating cover slows down your dog’s drinking. The inner bowl is stainless steel and can hold just over a gallon of water.
Buyer Review: “I normally don’t take the time to write reviews, but this product has been amazing. Don’t know how many people have the problem of a large puppy pulling all the water out of her dish with her giant paws and making water slides across the kitchen (even with an inch of water in the bowl), but that was our problem. This is seriously the only product I found that would help with our problem and it works perfectly! She tries and tries to get the water out with her paws and she can’t. Thank you for saving my floor and subfloor.”
8. Sfozstra Automatic Pet Water
If you’re looking for a large capacity dispenser with a sleeker design, Sfoztra’s automatic water dispenser is an excellent choice. With a capacity to hold 3 liters of water, you won’t have to refill your dog’s water as often.
Buyer Review: “I love this. So many automatic waterers are big, bulky, and ugly. This one is really nice and clean looking. I had a few of those big ugly types in the past, and with bigger dogs they are needed for sure. However, for my little yorkie mix, this is perfect. Form & function at its best. Seems well made & will last a long time.”
9. yoken Elevated Pet Bowls
These colorful bowls from yoken! are perfect for preventing neck strain, especially for dogs who have health issues. The bowl itself is stainless steel and sits in an elevated melamine with non-slip material on the bottom. Comes in 2- and 3-cup sizes, and perfect for both food and water.
Buyer Review: “I love these bowls. My girl was recently diagnosed with IVDD and was having a hard time craning her neck to eat. I found these bowls on an IVDD support group on FB. I ordered them immediately and they did not disappoint. She is back to drinking and eating on her own because she doesn’t have to work to do it. We are very happy with this purchase.”
10. Portable Dog Water Bottle
So this one is obviously not an actual bowl, but it’s our absolute favorite water bottle for hydrating your dog on the go. With a built in bowl that folds out and locks for a leak-proof drink, it’s perfect for hanging on the patio, the dog park, going for walks, or even taking a road trip.
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11. Collapsible Bowls
If collapsible dog bowls are more your thing, then these colorful duo-packs are a great option. Keep one in your purse and one in your car, or carry them together for food and water on the go. These colorful bowls are available in small and large. They also come with carabiners so you can easily attach them to a leash or bag.
Buyer Review: “I am very pleased with these bowls especially for how low in cost they were. They are a very sturdy rubber that can handle being thrown around. They are the perfect size for taking the dog for a walk or hike. The come with carabiners so you can clip them to anything.”
12. Ceramic Dog Bowls with Wood Stand
These stylish bowls are made from 100% food-safe and lead-free ceramic, and the wooden stands are made with natural bamboo. They can hold up to 8 cups of water and come in multiple colors.
Buyer Review: “I have been looking for a ceramic dog bowl with an ample capacity for our 60 pound dog. I have a different one that I purchased long ago but it doesn’t seem to be easy to find another one with my requirements. I came across this model but it was small. With a bit more searching I found that it came in a larger size for dogs. Since the price is great I decided to order it. This bowl is large, smooth, heavy enough to be sturdy, and on top of that it comes in the wooden holder. It looks fantastic and meets the qualifications that I had hoped to find. You have nothing to lose with trying this dog bowl and everything to gain. I prefer my dog not drink from plastic and also from metal…This is a ceramic bowl with a smooth sleek look. I Love It!”
13. PEDAY Stainless Steel Dog Bowl for Large & X-Large Dogs
These rectangular dog bowls are great for larger dogs and are made of human-grade stainless steel. All edges are rounded to ensure your dog is comfortable drinking and eating from them.
Buyer Review: “My dog tends to eat plastic bowls and carries around lightweight stainless steal round bowls. This is the perfect water bowl for him as it’s very sturdy and holds a lot of water. I like the rectangle size too. It scoots nicely up against the wall and out of the way. So glad we found it.”
14. YETI Boomer 4
YETI is renowned for the quality of its dog products, and their dog bowls don’t disappoint either. Made of puncture and rust-resistant stainless steel, they hold up to 4 cups and come in multiple color options.
15. 100 oz Extra Large Insulated Dog Water Bowl
Looking for a larger insulated water bowl? How does 100oz sound? With a double wall of stainless steel it’s guaranteed to keep your dog’s water nice and cool, too. Multiple colors available.
Buyer Review: “Use this for outside water for two medium size dogs. Keeps water from getting hot in the Texas sun. Highly recommend this dish!”
16. Ruff BarkBowl
Another collapsible bowl option made with human-grade silicone and holds up to 800ml.
Buyer Review: “Durability jury is out until the end of hunting season. I like the way it folds up small enough to tuck into a 2QT GI canteen cover. I hunt in Texas where keeping hard working dogs hydrated is paramount. Pouring water out of a canteen or water bottle into dogs mouth wastes too much water. This in combination with a GI 2 QT canteen is an excellent solution for keeping man and beast hydrated.”
17. Snap’y Fit Bowl
If you crate your dog, then you know the struggle of keeping them from spilling their water inside. The Snap’y Fit bowl is the perfect solution, with a bowl that slides easily in and out of the bracket attached to your crate.
Buyer Review: “Used in crate overnight for my GSD pup. Always used to knock his water bowl over resulting in a wet bed and a thirsty pup. This has successfully stopped the problem. It appears to be a good quality bowl with a secure attachment to the crate.”
18. Havniva Raised Dog Bowl
Another great raised bowl for the stylishly-minded. The non-slip ceramic bowl can be used with or without the wooden stand.
Buyer Review: “I have a determined French bulldog that loves tipping over & carrying the water bowl around. The bowl is heavy enough to not tip over or easily be moved around by him.”
19. Leash Boss Splashless Travel Dog Water Bowl
This geometric bowl is touted as a travel bowl with a tapered lip that helps prevent slipping. Made with food-grade silicone and features a skid-proof bottom.
Buyer Review: “We bought this bowl for our dog and cats for use in our RV and it really works! It grips well, stays in place on a hard surface and water does not splash out even on bumpy roads and curves. It’s a good size for all the pets; our dog weighs 60 pounds and the opening is perfect for all tongue sizes. The cats were not intimidated at all by the rim around the opening and adjusted to the bowl even faster than our dog. We’re really happy with our purchase and highly recommend this bowl.”
20. Loomla Water Fountain
This unique water fountain option is an excellent way to keep your dog’s water fresh all day. Comes with filters and can store up to 4 liters of water.
Recapping Our Tips for Picking the Best Dog Water Bowls
- Choose a bowl that is the right size for your dog.
- Consider the material of the bowl. Stainless steel, ceramic, and plastic are all popular options.
- If you have a dog who tends to make a mess when drinking, you might want to consider a bowl with a lip or edge.
- Some bowls come with filters that can help keep the water clean and fresh.
- Make sure the bowl is easy for your dog to access and is the right height for them.
- If you have more than one dog, you might want to consider getting two bowls.
- Consider your dog’s personality when choosing a bowl. If they are prone to tipping over their water bowl, you might want to get a heavy-duty option.
- Clean the bowl regularly and make sure to provide fresh water daily.
Now that you know some of the best bowls for dogs and what to look for when choosing one, it’s time to pick the perfect option for your furry friend! Use our tips and reviews to help you make the best decision for your dog.
Author: Amy Lynn
Amy is the founder of The Dog Guide, and was inspired to start the first one right here in San Antonio after adopting her first dog. In addition to being a dog mom to Texas and Terry, she's also a mom of four, and has lived in San Antonio for over 25 years.
