While on the go, it’s not always practical to travel with your dog’s standard water and food bowls. These tend to be heavy and take up a lot of space in your dog travel bag. A collapsible dog bowl is a lightweight and convenient alternative that will simplify things while making sure your dog stays hydrated and well-fed on your trip. In this guide we not only list the best travel dog bowls but also tell you what to consider before purchasing a new dog bowl.
Quick Answer: Best Travel Dog Bowls
- Best Overall: Bonza Large Collapsible Dog Bowl
- Best Portable: Outward Hound Dog Travel Bowl
- Best Collapsible: PetBonus Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls
- Best for Car: Kurgo No Spill Dog Travel Bowl
- Best Stainless Steel: Healthy Human Portable Dog Bowl
- Best with Mat: Winsee Collapsible Dog Bowls with Mat
- Best Extra Large: Comsun Extra Large Collapsible Dog Bowl
What to Look for in a Good Travel Dog Bowl
Here are the most important things to think about when you’re on the hunt for a new travel bowl for your dog.
1. Size / Capacity
A dog bowl that’s ideal for travel will naturally be smaller than the bowls most people keep in their homes. Finding the right size portable dog bowl is about striking a balance between a bowl that’s large enough for your dog’s food or water and a bowl that fits comfortably in your dog’s hiking backpack or travel bag. For a small dog, a travel bowl around 12 ounces might work but if you have a larger dog, a bowl closer to 40 ounces will suit you better.
2. Material
Most bowls you see will be made from stainless steel, plastic, fabric, or silicone. These can all be good options, but if space is a major factor, then make sure you get one that collapses down small. No matter the type of dog bowl you choose, make sure it’s made of food-grade materials that are free of lead and BPA, and resistant to mold.
Many collapsible travel dog bowls are soft and if your dog is a chewer then the bowl might not last very long. Some of the most popular options are made of canvas or silicone, each of which have their merits. Silicone bowls are cheaper, heat-resistant, and pack down small, but tend to fail quickly when it comes to durability. Canvas dog bowls are larger but they’re more durable. Some fabric bowls even fold down small enough to fit into your pants pocket, but they won’t hold their shape as well as other materials, which may bother your dog. In addition, make sure the bowl you choose isn’t prone to absorbing liquid. Bowls that absorb liquid will be more likely to tear as the water weakens the material.
3. Portability
The point of a travel dog bowl is that it’s easy to travel with while suiting your dog’s food and water needs. Depending on what type of traveling you’ll be doing, you may want to look for a bowl with a carabiner so you can attach it to your outdoor bag and have quick access to it when your dog needs a drink. If you’re going to be camping in one place, caravanning, or staying in a hotel, then portability might not be as big of an issue. In that case, consider a heavier, stainless steel bowl option.
4. Ease of Cleaning
Whether you’ll be camping or staying in a hotel, it’s best if your dog’s bowl is dishwasher safe. This ensures that even the small crevices get cleaned well. If you choose a bowl that’s not dishwasher-safe, make sure it’s easy to wash by hand.
5. Skid-Proof Feature
Spill-proof dog bowls help to minimize spills from over-eager drinkers. Whether in a park, at a campsite, or in a hotel room, a spill-proof bowl assists in keeping things neat, and minimizing wasted food or water.
Best Travel Dog Bowl Reviews
Now that you know what to look for, here are the best travel dog bowls currently on the market.
Best Dog Bowl Overall
1. Bonza Large Collapsible Dog Bowl
The Bonza Large Collapsible Dog Bowl is an eco-friendly, non-slip option for feeding and hydrating your dog on the go. It’s a great water bowl for large dogs because it doesn’t easily collapse. Not only will it be difficult to accidentally collapse when it’s filled with water or food, but it’s also durable enough to be able to survive a drop without breaking. The 40-ounce bowl can hold five cups of food and measures 7” x 3”, and the 55-ounce bowl can hold seven cups of food and measures 7.75” x 3.25”. They both can be fully expanded or partially expanded, and collapse down to 0.75”. The smaller bowl weighs 5.6 ounces and is great for medium to large dogs over 50 pounds while the larger bowl weighs 8.2 ounces and is ideal for large dogs over 100 pounds. Included is a silicone water bottle holder that can easily clip onto a small backpack. If you have a large dog, both of you will appreciate the Bonza Large Collapsible Dog Bowl.
Best Portable Dog Bowl
2. Outward Hound Dog Travel Bowl
Outward Hound created a dog travel bowl that folds down flat and is small enough to fit in the pocket of your dog’s carrier. It’s made of a rugged nylon construction and can hold 48 ounces of water or food. It expands to 5.2” x 7” x 6.2” and only weighs 1.44 ounces. It can hold food or water and is quick-drying so you can quickly pack it away if you need to hurry to another destination. The Outward Hound Dog Travel Bowl is easy to clean and is a great option for your dog’s next travel bowl.
Best Collapsible Dog Bowl
3. PetBonus Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowl
If you’re looking for collapsible travel bowls for dogs, look no further than the PetBonus bowls. This four-pack comes in four bright colors – pink, yellow, orange, and green. The bowl can hold 12 ounces of water or food and measures 5” x 3.5” x 2”. It can collapse down to 0.5” and each bowl only weighs 2.16 ounces. It has three adjustable tiers so you can adjust the depth of the bowl based on your dog’s preference. The base is made of silicone while the rim is made of a sturdy hard plastic. The hole and carabiner make it simple to hang on your belt loop, bag, or a hook while you’re traveling or waiting for it to dry. The PetBonus Silicone Collapsible Dog Bowls are dishwasher-safe bowls and are great additions to your dog gear collection.
Best Dog Bowl for Car Travel
4. Kurgo No Spill Dog Travel Bowl
For those who love road tripping with their pup, this is the best travel water bowl for dogs. The dripless water bowl has a tapered lip which helps reduce splashing while traveling and helps keep water and dog food off of the floor of the car. Its unique wedge design also enables it to lay flat on the car seat. The dishwasher-safe bowl is made of a food-grade silicone and holds 24 ounces of water or dog food. It measures 7.3” x 2.75” and weighs eight ounces. It doesn’t collapse though, so it’s not great if you need to pack it in your bag. While it’s not the best for portability, the Kurgo No Spill Dog Travel Bowl is perfect for car trips with your dog.
Best Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
5. Healthy Human Portable Dog Travel Bowl
The Healthy Human Portable Dog Travel Bowls are a fan favorite because they have lids and an interlocking design. The eco-friendly and dishwasher-safe bowls are made of stainless steel and measure 6” x 4.5”, 6” x 6.5”, and 6” x 8.5”. They’re also non-toxic, durable, and non-stick. Thanks to the rubber seal each layer is leak-proof. The bowls weigh about 1.6 pounds each, so they’re not ideal for backpacking, but if the bowl will be sitting in your caravan or you only need to feed your dog in your hotel room, then the Healthy Human Portable Dog Travel Bowls definitely deserve your consideration.
Best Travel Dog Bowl with Mat
6. Winsee Collapsible Dog Bowls with Mat
These double portable water bowls for dogs allow you to put your dog’s food and water side by side or feed two dogs at once. The Winsee Collapsible Dog Bowls measure 19” x 3” and can adjust to three different heights. They’re made of a BPA-free and lead-free silicone that’s food-grade and dishwasher-safe. Each bowl can hold up to 35 fluid ounces of water or 4.5 cups of food. Included is a no-spill silicone mat that helps the bowls stay in place and prevent them from being turned over by your pooch. The mat also catches spilled food and water to help keep the floor or ground clean and dry. As a bonus, you’ll get a 7” frisbee and a carabiner. The Winsee Collapsible Dog Bowls weigh around one pound each and can be used for indoor or outdoor vacations.
Best Travel Dog Bowl for Large Dogs
7. Comsun Extra Large Collapsible Dog Bowl
High-quality collapsible bowls for dogs can be hard to find. One of the big winners is the Comsun Extra Large Collapsible Dog Bowl. They measure 7” x 2.5” and can each hold up to 25 fluid ounces of water or three cups of dog food. These bowls have a simple pop-up design and fold down to 0.7”. The bowl is made of a durable silicone that can be easily cleaned by wiping it down or rinsing it out. The bowls weigh 9.9 ounces, come in a pack of two, have a non-slip design, and include a carabiner. If you want dog travel water bowls that you can take anywhere in the world, these bowls should be at the top of your list.
Best of the Rest
8. Prima Pets Collapsible Silicone Food & Water Travel Bowl
The Prima Pets Collapsible Silicone Food & Water Travel Bowl can be used during all types of travel, from camping trips to hotel stays. This dishwasher-safe bowl measures 5.5” x 2.2” and weighs 3.52 ounces. The non-absorbent bowl is made of a food-grade silicone and has a BPA-free plastic rim. It has a sturdy 3.6” base that helps prevent the bowl from tipping over and making a mess. It can fit up to 1.5 cups of food or water and collapses down to 0.5” when not in use. The carabiner clip allows you to latch it to a leash or belt loop. Choose from aqua, purple, pink, or grey when you buy the Prima Pets Collapsible Silicone Food & Water Travel Bowl for your dog.
9. Ruffwear Quencher Cinch Top Collapsible Dog Bowl
Ruffwear has made travel dog water bowls that are both waterproof and collapsible. The fabric bowl collapses down small enough to fit into your pocket so it’s easy to take on all of your adventures. The outer fabric is a durable polyester and the inner lining is waterproof and machine-washable. The smallest bowl’s capacity is 25.4 fluid ounces and has a 4.5” opening. One size up has a capacity of 33.8 fluid ounces and an opening of 5.5”. The largest bowl’s capacity is 84.5 ounces and it has an opening of 7”. The bowls come in blue moon, pumpkin orange, and melt water teal, and include an integrated drawstring closure to keep your dog’s food contained. For a durable bowl that’s super portable, the Ruffwear Quencher Cinch Top Collapsible Dog Bowl is a great value.
10. Awakelion Collapsible Dog Bowl
When it comes to large water bowls for dogs, the Awakelion Collapsible Dog Bowl takes the cake. It measures 7” x 7” x 5” and has a capacity of 67.6 ounces of water or 2.2 pounds of dog food. It’s made of a 900D oxford cloth that’s eco-friendly, non-toxic, grease-resistant, and food-safe. The waterproof fabric interior holds water very well and doesn’t leak. It includes convenient elastic straps to attach it wherever you’d like and prevent you from losing it when you’re on the go. It’s easy to clean and quick-drying, but if you’re in a hurry you can easily wipe it out with a towel. The Awakelion Collapsible Dog Bowl is the perfect fabric bowl for medium and large dogs.
A quality travel bowl for your dog should be able to stay with you through outdoor adventures and hotel stays. The added convenience of portable food and water bowls for dogs will relieve your stress as you can be sure that your dog will stay hydrated and well-fed throughout the trip without your bag having to be weighed down.
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