Last July my dog came back from a short walk looking completely wiped out, tongue hanging, barely interested in dinner. I had no water with me. Nothing dramatic happened, but I felt pretty dumb. The next day I bought a dog with water bottle, and I haven’t left the house without it since. Dogs don’t sweat like we do. They pant, and that burns through water quickly, so a long walk with nowhere to drink can catch a dog out sooner than you’d expect. Plenty of owners seem to be working this out right now, which is why every pet shop has a new dog with water bottle on the shelf. Here’s what I learned while picking one.
How much does a dog actually drink?
Vets usually say about one ounce per pound of body weight each day, or roughly 50 to 60 ml per kilo. Some sources say a little less, closer to half an ounce per pound. So it’s a ballpark, not a law. A 60 pound retriever might get through 60 ounces on a warm day, which is around seven and a half cups. That surprised me.
Heat is the big factor, and humidity makes it worse because panting stops working so well. On a heatwave day, a dog can drink half again as much as normal. Puppies need more for their size. Dogs on dry kibble drink more than dogs on wet food, too.
One more thing. If your dog suddenly drinks way more than usual (past about 100 ml per kilo a day) or way less, ring the vet. It can point to something that needs checking. Having a dog with water bottle with you actually helps here, because you see how much goes down.
Which type should you get?
There are a few styles around. None of them fits every dog, so a dog with water bottle that suits my dog might be wrong for yours.
Squeeze bottles with a bowl
Squeeze, and water fills a small bowl on the side. Let go, and the extra drains back into the bottle. Most hold about 350 ml (12 ounces), fine for small and medium dogs. A decent cap doesn’t leak, even in a bag. What annoyed me was that some of them can’t stand up on their own. If you let go, the bottle can tip over and hit your dog on the head. Hold it.
Lick bottles
These have a little ball in the tip. Your dog licks it, water comes out. Licking stops, and so does the water, so barely any gets wasted. The steel ones, around 750 ml, have a wide opening, so ice cubes fit inside. If you’ve got a big dog or you hike a lot, this type of dog with water bottle makes sense. Be patient though. Some dogs take a few goes to work out the ball.
Insulated steel bottles
With the 25 ounce stainless ones, the lid turns into the bowl, so you carry one thing instead of two. Water stays cold longer. Check the lid is BPA-free plastic. Some come with a neoprene sleeve and a strap for clipping onto a backpack, belt or bike. Prices are all over the place, roughly £9 up to £50 in online listings, and the dearer ones aren’t always better.
What I’d check before paying
Size first. A small dog is fine with 350 ml, but a big dog needs 750 ml or more. Then the cap, which must be leak-proof if the bottle goes in a bag. Does your dog like drinking from a bowl, or straight from the bottle? And can you clean it easily? Wide openings win here.
Don’t take it out on a big walk straight away. Let your dog play with it at home for a day or two, so it’s just another normal thing. Once a dog with water bottle feels familiar to your dog, everything gets easier.
On the walk itself
Please don’t let a hot, tired dog gulp loads at once. It can upset the stomach. Little sips, often, are better. Some before you set off, some halfway, some at the end.
Look at the ground. Pavement in the sun gets scorching. Put your hand on it, and if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for those paws. Keep your dog out of pool water, because of the chlorine. And in summer, try to avoid midday walks. Before leaving, check the dog with water bottle is actually in your bag. I’ve forgotten it twice, and both times I regretted it.
Know the signs of dehydration: dry gums, thick sticky drool, a dog who’s more tired than usual. See that, give water immediately and call your vet.
Washing the thing
A grubby bottle is its own problem. Wash the bowl at home at least twice a day, and treat the walking bottle the same way. Rinse it after each outing and let it dry fully. Don’t leave water sitting in it for days. Seals and silicone edges collect gunk, so look there. For plastic, find a BPA-free label. For steel, watch for dents and rust.
Questions people ask
Can a dog drink straight from a dog with water bottle?
With the lick style, yes. With the others the water goes into the bowl, so don’t push the bottle into your dog’s mouth.
Is it okay for cats or small pets?
Some silicone cup bottles get used for cats and rabbits too. Just make sure the size and squeeze work for a smaller animal.
How much should I take along?
Use the one ounce per pound rule for the whole day. A 30 pound dog needs about 30 ounces in total, and you’ll want extra for hot weather or a long hike.
When should I call the vet?
If your dog suddenly drinks a lot more or a lot less, seems very tired, or shows signs of dehydration, don’t wait around.
Last word
A dog with water bottle isn’t a fancy gadget. It’s a small habit that can look after your dog on hot days. Pick a size that fits, check the cap, keep it clean, and give small sips often. Honestly, that’s about all there is to it.
