A dog water bottle is perfect to refresh your four-legged friend during a walk, while travelling, after play or when engaging in dog sports. Combination models are particularly practical: they consist of a water bottle and a bowl that the dog can drink from. Dog water bottles can also be transported easily. Models with a belt clip and versions for (hiking) backpacks or bum bags are available. Owners of small breeds can manage with a dog water bottle with a capacity of around 300 millilitres; for larger dogs, it should be more.

At high temperatures, dogs lose a lot of fluid, especially when they move a lot. Sweating is a secondary process in dogs; sweat glands are only present in the balls of the paws. Respiration is another matter. Dogs release a lot of fluid into the air via panting and breathing to produce cooling via evaporation. Unnoticed by humans, the dog invests a lot of fluid in the regulation of its body temperature. A dog weighing around 20 kilograms already consumes around a quarter litre of water by breathing at low activity levels and at moderate temperatures. With heat or exertion, consumption increases drastically and can be up to two litres in high-performance sports. It is not surprising when the dog gets thirsty on the go. However, water from puddles or stagnant pools often causes digestive problems and may contain pathogens. That’s why a dog water bottle is the ideal solution when you’re out and about.

Water bottles and dispensers have models made of light and impact-resistant plastic as well as bottles made of aluminium. The latter are recommended for long-term use thanks to their robustness. Manufacturers generally use one of two techniques: for many dog water bottles, the bowl is integrated as a folding bowl that serves as a cover when not in use. These models can stand independently and automatically refill the bowl repeatedly when the dog has drunk. Other manufacturers supply a conventional bottle for the water and a matching drinking bowl that is attached to the cap when not in use. The folding version is suitable as a mobile drinking station for games and sports or for a longer break. However, if you want to offer your dog fresh water on the go again and again, you can usually manage best with a separate bottle and bowl.