pet travel bowl

The 11 Best Travel Water Bowls for Dogs, Tested by Our Experts And Real Dogs

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Mary Jo DiLonardo / The Spruce Pets

Whether you’re going on a road trip or a hike in the woods, your dog needs to stay hydrated, just like you do. Depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing, travel water bowls and bottles are more convenient than lugging along your pet’s normal bowl .

We tested and researched dozens of containers to find the best travel water bowls, evaluating them on durability, material, portability, and ease of cleaning. Our top pick, the Leashboss Splashless Water Bowl, features food-safe silicone, a broad lip to keep it from spilling, and a geometric design to prevent tipping.

What to Look for in a Dog Bowl for Travel

How we tested travel water bowls for dogs, why trust the spruce pets, best overall, leashboss splashless travel dog water bowl.

Mostly splashless

Doesn’t bend when you pick it up

Dishwasher-safe

Not recommended for flat-face, bearded, or giant breeds

The Leashboss Splashless has an interesting geometric design to help keep the bowl from tipping over in the car or even when a rowdy pup is stepping on it. The lip on the bowl helps keep water from sloshing out when you’re on the move. It doesn’t tip easily when you pick it up filled with water or when dogs are drinking. We’re not so sure the Leashboss is utterly splashless as it promises, but it does a pretty good job.

Made of soft silicone that is BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free, it has high sides and a tapered lip to keep water from spilling. It also has a skidproof base and holds more water than some of the other portable options. It’s dishwasher safe, but you might still have trouble cleaning out some of the slime that gathers in the pointy corners, so be sure to clean it regularly. This is one of the more attractive bowls, our testers thought.

Volume : 40 ounces︱ Materials : Silicone︱ Colors : Gray

Judy Duhr / The Spruce Pets

Best Collapsible

Bonza large collapsible dog bowl.

Large capacity

Has hook for water bottle

1-year guarantee

Heavier than some collapsibles

Collapsible bowls are so convenient, just clip one on your belt loop, keep it in the pocket of your car, or stash it in your backpack. They’re just so easy.

We tested so many collapsible silicone bowls, and they were all fairly similar. They looked the same except for different colors, but many appeared to be made by the same company. This one stood out because of its large capacity and several other key features. The packaging says the silicone is food-safe and BPA-free, whereas we’re not so sure with some of the others we tried.

It’s bigger than the rest, so you don’t have to keep filling it if your dog is big or particularly thirsty. (But that also means it won’t fit in your back pocket like some smaller products.) There’s a carabiner plus a silicone tab that can hook around a disposable water bottle to make it easier to keep everything together. The bowl is backed by a one-year guarantee and is dishwasher safe.

Volume : 40 ounces, 50 ounces︱ Materials : Silicone︱ Colors : Navy

“This was by far my favorite. The size is great and it held plenty of water, and I liked the convenient clip to carry it with you.” – Maureen Curtis, owner of a chocolate Lab

Best for the Car

Valterra water-hole pet dish.

Hard to spill or splash water

Made in the U.S.A.

Lid can be hard to snap on and off

This is the one water bowl that didn’t spill or splash water in the car, even around curves or on bouncy roads. The top ring has an inner lip that keeps water from sloshing out. That lid can sometimes be difficult to pry on and off for cleaning, but once it’s on, you know that it’s very secure. Both pieces of the bowl are top-rack dishwasher safe.

The bowl is made from hard plastic and comes in either light blue or beige. One tester who often drives with dogs in the car said this has long been one of her favorites on the road.

Volume : 32 ounces︱ Materials : Plastic︱ Colors : Blue, beige

“It’s the only bowl that’s truly splashproof. I use it in the car and camper, and mostly it just stays in my car all the time and has for years.”– Judy Duhr, director of Speak Rescue and Sanctuary, who is always on the road with her dogs or transporting foster dogs

Best for Car (Runner-Up)

Kurgo no spill dog travel bowl.

Wedge bottom to stay flat on car seat

Can be difficult to empty of water

This colorful silicone bowl is angled like a wedge to keep it flat on a car seat. It also has a wide lip to prevent water from sloshing everywhere. It works pretty well, although water might splash out on bumpy roads or sharp turns. The soft silicone makes it easy to cram into a backpack or tuck into a suitcase.

Interestingly, because it’s splash-free, it can be hard to empty when your dog is done with it. Water keeps filling up inside the lip. But it is dishwasher-safe, so you know it’s easy to clean, and grime won’t collect inside the edge.

Volume : 24 ounces︱ Materials : Silicone︱ Colors : Blue, red

Best Bottle

Malsipree dog water bottle.

Fits in car cupholder

Can use it one-handed

Unused water goes back into bottle

Not dishwasher-safe

Our testers were surprised they liked this bottle so much. It’s easy to use just one-handed and fits in a cupholder, which makes it convenient in the car. When your dog is thirsty, just turn the bottle on its side, press the button, and fill the lid with water. If your pup doesn’t drink it all, press the button again and let the water pour back down into the bottle.

There’s a lock to prevent water from spilling out and a strap for carrying. This is made of BPA-free plastic and can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher. It comes in two sizes, but the smaller one is really only useful for small dogs or very short trips.

Volume : 12 ounces or 19 ounces︱ Materials : Plastic︱ Colors : Blue, pink

“I really didn’t expect to like this at all, but I really loved it. I was easily able to drive down the road and give my dog water right, and keep it in the cupholder.” – Judy Duhr, director of Speak Rescue and Sanctuary, who is always on the road with her dogs or transporting foster dogs

Best Bottle (Runner-Up)

Kong h2o insulated dog water bottle.

BPA- and phthalate-free

Water pours easily back in the bottle

Needs two hands to use

Hand wash only

This water bottle is insulated, so it keeps your pup’s drink cool on the trail, in the car, or at the beach . But the stainless steel also makes it heavier than the other bottle, so it’s a trade-off. The screw-off cap doubles as a bowl. Just pour water from the bottle into it, and if your pup doesn’t finish it all, it’s relatively easy to pour it back in.

Unlike the MalsiPree bottle, this one requires two hands to use, so it’s a little more unwieldy. The whole set is BPA- and phthalate-free and can be recycled. There’s a carabiner clip to attach to your backpack, and it comes in four colors. One tester with a large dog said her pup had trouble getting enough water out of the small lid-bowl.

Volume : 15 ounces︱ Materials : Plastic, stainless steel︱ Colors : Black, blue, orange, red

Best Budget

Outward hound port-a-bowl collapsible bowl.

Courtesy of Chewy

Very lightweight

Inexpensive

Will leak if left with water too long

This lightweight, foldable bowl is easy to tuck in your pocket. It takes up very little space, and it’s incredibly affordable. Because it’s made out of nylon, it’s only meant to hold water for short bursts, not to sit out in the car or your campsite as a water bowl. Leave the water to sit too long, and the wetness will just seep through.

You can spot clean it or machine wash it in cold water if it gets gross, but it takes some time to dry out. (You might not want to put it right back into your pocket.) It’s not incredibly rugged, and the bowl will collapse if a dog plays or pushes it too much. But for the price and the convenience, it’s useful to have on hand.

Volume : 48 ounces︱ Materials : Nylon︱ Colors : Green/gray

Best Splurge

Yeti boomer 8 dog bowl.

Dick's Sporting Goods

Made of heavy stainless steel

Lots of colors

More expensive than most

This sturdy and heavy stainless steel bowl is definitely a splurge. But people who own them think they’re pretty impressive. The bottom has a solid, recessed nonslip ring, unlike others that have small or too easily removed rubber feet. The bowl comes in all sorts of colors, in addition to just stainless silver. It’s dishwasher safe and easy to wash by hand.

Although the bowl isn’t insulated, it seems to keep water cooler than some other bowls. It’s definitely more expensive than most, but it seems like it’s durable and long-lasting. It’s not necessarily for in the car (water sloshes) or for hiking (too heavy), but some fans like to take the sturdy bowl on trips for when they arrive at a campground or final destination because it holds up and is easy to clean. Others use it in the car but just fill it up on stops. “If this had a lid, it would be absolutely perfect,” says one tester who travels all the time with her pups.

Volume : 32 ounces, 64 ounces︱ Materials : Stainless steel︱ Colors : Black, pink, red, coral, olive, orange, navy, green, seafoam, stainless

Best Fabric Bowl

Ruffwear quencher dog bowl.

Machine-washable

Light and packable

No carabiner, just a hook

Made by outdoor gear company Ruffwear, this collapsible square bowl is made out of rugged polyester fabric with a waterproof lining. It’s easy to fold up and put into your backpack or pocket when you’re out and about. And if your dog is messy, you can throw it in the washing machine.

There’s an integrated loop for carrying the bowl but no carabiner to attach it to your gear. The flexible bowl holds up pretty well when filled but can be tipped over by very eager pups. It doesn’t take too long to dry out. It gets added points for the attractive, rich colors.

Volume : .75 liter (25 ounces), 1 liter (34 ounces), 2.5 liters (85 ounces)︱ Materials : Polyester fabric︱ Colors : Blue, brick, teal

Best for Messy Drinkers

Lumoleaf dog water bowl.

Deters spills and splashes

Slows down fast drinkers

Ring sometimes snaps off

Water seeps into floating disc

The LumoLeaf has a floating disc that controls water flow, which helps keep it from spilling but also prevents your pet from gulping down loads of liquid. Instead, he has to lap it up slowly as the top refills. Dogs might need a second to figure out how this works because only a little water is visible at the top of the bowl.

The floating disc keeps water levels mostly even, even on rocky surfaces or in the car. The bowl is top-rack dishwasher safe. The rim can get grimy, and the floating disc can trap water, so the manufacturer recommends it be washed about every three days. That includes taking the floating disc apart to wash it. That’s pretty high maintenance for everyday use.

Volume : 35 ounces︱ Materials : Plastic︱ Colors : Gray, white

"It took a minute for my dog to figure out how to use this. (He had to watch the foster puppies drink first!) He’s such a messy drinker that this forced him to slow down and lap a little at a time, which means less water all over the floor." – Mary Jo DiLonardo, Product Tester

KindTail Portable Dog Bowls

Lid with handle and two bowls all stack together

Microwave and dishwasher safe

Stays put while dog eats and drinks

Takes up more space than collapsible bowls

Inspired by bento box design, KindTails's Portabowls sets are made to keep food concealed while traveling nesting one bowl inside another and keeping to all secure with a dual-purpose lid. Once it's time to dine, the lid is easy to unscrew and turn upside to serve as a sturdy base for the smaller bowl with food. The larger external bowl can hold up to 18 or 40 ounces of water depending on your size selection (small or large). The larger bowl and the top of the lid both have a textured silicone surface to secure the bowls in place.

While testing the portable storage system, the set securely transported wet dog food without any spilling, and our dog participant enjoyed a dining experience that more closely resembled the ceramic bowls they use at home.

The Portabowls comes in five colors: rose pink, blue, light green, lilac, and grey, and two sizes. Small comes with a 10 ounce bowl and a 20 ounce bowl, while large comes with an 18 and a 40 ounce bowl. Both include a corresponding lid equipped with a handle. The set is made out of food-grade recycled BPA-free polypropylene and it is microwave and dishwasher safe. These portable kit is ideal for travel, picnics, and outdoor dining, but the set takes up more space than collapsible bowls.

Volume : 10 and 20 ounces (small); 18 and 40 ounces (large)︱ Materials : Polypropylene, silicone︱ Colors : Rose pink, blue, light green, grey, lilac

The Spruce Pets / Anna Mejorada

We recommend the Leashboss Splashless Travel Water Bowl for the car and in your backpack. This mostly splashless silicone bowl has a design that keeps it from tipping or leaking. For convenience, we also like the Bonza Collapsible , a large-capacity silicone bowl that comes with a year guarantee.

Most collapsible bowls are made out of either silicone or fabric. Sturdier bowls can be crafted of plastic or stainless steel. Look for food-grade materials that are BPA- and phthalate-free. Know that if your dog likes to chew and play with his bowls, the allure of silicone and fabric (and even plastic!) can be tempting.

Portability

Some travel bowls are all about portability. They’re lightweight and either fold or collapse, so you can tuck them into a backpack or your pocket—which is essential when it comes to air travel products for dogs . They often have carabiners or loops so you can clip them onto your gear. But other travel bowls are more designed for car travel, with splashless rims and other features that keep water in on bumpy roads.

Splash-Free

Bowls that are meant to be used in the car typically have a rim or special lid that keeps water from sloshing out. Some of these work better than others, and it all depends on how much water you put in the bowl, how eagerly your dog drinks, and how bumpy your journey.

Travel bowls often can hold less water than the bowl your dog uses at home, particularly one you’d use on a hike or in the car. The bowls we tested held from 12 to 64 ounces. If you have a small dog, the lower capacity should be convenient, but you might have to refill it several times for a larger dog. Also, check the size of the opening to make sure your dog’s snout isn’t too big for a tiny bowl.

You might not be able to pop a bowl into a dishwasher when you’re on the road, but be sure to clean it as soon as you get home. Not all bowls are dishwasher safe, and some might have rims or corners where slime can accumulate. If a bowl isn’t dishwasher safe, be sure it can be washed by hand thoroughly and easily.

The Spruce Pets has tested more than 700 pet products, in both our testing New York testing lab, and in home trials with volunteer testers and their pets. For travel water bowls, we first researched the most well-reviewed and bestselling travel water bowls available, eventually narrowing down our selection to 21 top candidates.

We then developed a methodology for testing each water bowl, evaluating each for usability, durability, and how easy each was to clean. The travel water bowls were subsequently tested in a range of environments by dog product expert Mary Jo DiLonardo, who was able to demo each bowl with both adult dogs and puppies. She subsequently evaluated each bowl, using both a numerical scoring system and detailed notes. From this, we narrowed down the field further, and selected our favorites to recommend.

For this story, we purchased nearly two dozen travel bowls that are popular with dog owners we know and have great ratings online. We asked dog owners to use them with their pets in the car, while out walking, and even at home. We rated them on effectiveness, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Some didn’t make the cut early on, but there were some pretty popular choices.

This article was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo , who often reviews dog products for Spruce Pets. The proud mom of a rescue dog, she has fostered around four dozen dogs and puppies. She has tried lots of different bowls with her own dog and foster pups and is always looking for the most durable and effective pet products. For more than 25 years, DiLonardo has covered a wide range of topics focused on nature, pets, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place.