Shopping
The 5 Best Dog Water Bowls For Messy Drinkers, According To A Trainer
We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.
Hydration is important for your pet — but if your dog is a messy drinker, choking hazards, damaged floors, and slippery surfaces could potentially result. That’s where the best dog water bowls for messy drinkers come in, and I’ve reached out to a certified dog trainer for insight on what to to look for as you shop. These dog bowls offer special features that keep the spillage to a minimum and moderate your dog’s drinking speed.
The Expert
Nicole Ellis is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and pet lifestyle expert with Rover. She has trained hundreds of animals — from basic commands to service dog training — and is the author of Working Like A Dog. Ellis’s own dog, Maggie, was rescued from a city shelter, and has since performed in films and commercials, and knows over 100 commands.
What To Look For When Shopping For Spill-Resistant Water Bowls
If you’re shopping for a dog that’s a sloppy drinker or has a lot of fur or beards around their faces, choosing a water bowl with a built-in barrier that will minimize drips and only allows “a small amount of water at a time” will make a big difference, according to Ellis. Slow water feeders, on the other hand, have a tiny “area specifically for their tongue to get water out of,” which could help limit the risk of choking if your dog tends to drink too quickly. Finally, there are mess-proof feeders, which have high walls to control spills and are elevated, which some canines may find more comfortable to use.
As always, your pet’s bowl should be made out of safe, nonporous materials that comes apart for easy, thorough cleaning. Last but not least, if your bowl of choice comes in multiple sizes, “be sure to choose the correct size for your dog or it may not work as well as intended,” Ellis wrote. (For some additional floor protection and mess reduction, consider putting a mat underneath your dog’s water bowl, which will absorb or contain spills.)
Shop The Best Water Bowls For Messy Drinkers
In a hurry? Here are the top picks for spill-resistant water bowls.
- The Overall Best Water Bowl: Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl
- The Best Budget Water Bowl: WishLotus Anti-Overturn Pet Water Bowl
- The Best Slow Water Feeder: UPSKY Dog Water Bowl Slow Water Feeder
- The Best Filtered Water Bowl: Torus Pet Dog Water Bowl Filter Dispenser
- The Best Mess-Proof Pet Feeder Station: Neater Feeder Deluxe Mess-Proof Pet Feeder
1. The Overall Best Dog Water Bowl For Messy Drinkers
Pros:
- Patented design that helps stop messes
- Durable and easy to clean
- Available in four sizes to suit most breeds
Cons:
- Expensive
“The Slopper Stopper Dripless Water Bowl certainly lives up to the name,” Ellis wrote, and customers agree: It has over 3,000 reviews and an overall 4.5-star rating on Amazon. While it’s made from durable, easy-to-clean stainless steel on the outside, this bowl has a special patented plastic component on the inside that minimizes splashing, moderates your dog’s drinking speed, and even keeps their ears out of the water. It also comes in four sizes, but all of them come apart for easy cleaning. They hold up to 1 gallon of water so your pet is always hydrated.
One reviewer wrote: “This is awesome!! I have a Goldendoodle that is probably the sloppiest drinker EVER!! That being said, I bought this bowl at the recommendation of a breeder. It is WONDERFUL. [...] He loves this bowl and my floor stays dry!! No dripping beard or snout!! I definitely recommend!!”
Materials: stainless steel and plastic | Dimensions: 9.84 by 9.84 by 4.19 inches (1 gallon) | Available Sizes: Small, Large, Giant, Mammoth | Available Colors: cream
2. The Best Budget Water Bowl
Pros:
- Effective, yet less than $20
- Comes apart for easy cleaning
- Resists tipping and dust
Cons:
- Made from plastic and silicone
- Only comes in one size
“The WishLotus floating bowl is also effective and easy to clean,” Ellis wrote, but it’s significantly cheaper than the competition. This one has an anti-turn design with a floating tray inside, so only a small amount of water will come through the hole and to the surface when your pet’s tongue touches it at a time. As a result, this one not only limits the mess on your floor, but also keeps your pet’s fur dry and water sanitary.
One reviewer wrote: “Great investment! And cheap! My german shepherd is a messy drinker [...] but with this bowl he only spills a few drops out of his mouth when he is [done]. I highly recommend it for anyone with messy drinkers!”
Materials: plastic and silicone | Dimensions: 8.3 by 6.7 by 3.1 inches (40 ounces) | Other available sizes: none | Available colors: blue, pink
3. The Best Slow Water Feeder
Pros:
- Significantly slows down drinking speed
- Transparent so you can see when it needs a refill
- Comes apart for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Only comes in one size and color
According to reviewers, this slow water feeder is the ideal option for dogs who drink too quickly. Its press-to-dispense mechanism allows them to retrieve water as needed, but significantly slows down their drinking to a safer speed. Plus, the transparent bowl allows you to see at a glance how much water is left. Last but not least, it easily comes apart so you can thoroughly clean it.
One reviewer wrote: “Great if you have a dog with acid reflux. Works wonders.”
Materials: plastic and silicone | Dimensions: 8 by 8 by 4 inches (2 liters) | Other available sizes: none | Available colors: clear/gray
4. The Best Filtered Water Bowl (& The Best For Travel)
Pros:
- Spill- and leak-proof thanks to its automatic low-fill mechanism
- Travel-friendly
- Has a built-in filter
- Insulated to keep water cooler for longer
Cons:
- Expensive
- Cannot be taken apart for cleaning
- Only one size
It’s an investment, but the Torus dog water dispenser has an ingenious design that has seemingly thought of everything: Its spill- and leak-proof reservoir automatically fills the bowl to a low level to minimize messes (even in the car). It’s portable and battery-free for easy travel. It’s made from high-quality, food-grade materials. It’s insulated to keep the water cooler for longer, and it has a built-in activated carbon filter to keep things clean for your pet.
One reviewer wrote: “I bought this for my 7 month old German Shepherd puppy who drenches the floor when he drinks. I was a little hesitant to get such a pricey water dish because he destroys everything, but I am glad I did. He only tried to pick it up once when I first put it down. But now he loves drinking the water from it, especially right after I turn the trickle on!”
Materials: BPA-free plastic | Dimensions: 10.8 by 10.8 by 4.02 inches (2 liters) | Other available sizes: none | Available colors: black, red
5. The Best Mess-Proof Pet Feeder Station
Pros:
- For both food and water
- Raised for ergonomic feeding
- Has multiple features in place to prevent messes
- Adjustable and comes in tons of colors and sizes
- Comes apart for cleaning and filling
Cons:
- Priciest option on this list
If your dog is a messy eater and a messy drinker, the Neater Feeder is the way to go. Not only is the adjustable elevated base better for their neck and digestion, but it has several features in place to minimize messes: The high walls keep kibble and water from getting all over the floor. The drain basin underneath automatically collects spilled water. It even has non-skid rubber feet and a durable construction, so your pet will likely have trouble tipping it over or moving it. Finally, it comes with easy-to-clean stainless steel bowls, plus all components are dishwasher-safe.
One reviewer wrote: “This thing is great. Doesn't catch ALL of my messy drinker's drips but does catch most. Great height for pitbull with the extender legs. [...] Helps my boy be much more comfortable.”
Materials: plastic, stainless steel | Dimensions: 18 by 11 by 12.5 inches | Other available sizes: Small, Large | Available colors: Aquamarine, Bronze, Cappuccino, Cranberry, Dark Blue, Gunmetal, Midnight black|
Expert:
Nicole Ellis, Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Pet Lifestyle Expert with Rover
