Best dog travel bowls review
Dogs, like humans, love to explore the outdoors. Be it an outstation travel, a trip to the nearby dog park or a more serious camping or hiking trip, you and your beloved canine can have a lot of fun.
One of the major concerns with traveling with your dog is how to feed and hydrate the dog while on the go? Surely carrying a standard feeding bowl or relying on your hands to feed the canine cannot be a solution.
Enter dog travel bowls or collapsible dog water bowls to the scene! These lightweight, collapsible feeding and water bowls provide a convenient way to feed or hydrate your dog (and even cats) while on the move.
In this article, we will look at some of the best portable dog bowls available in the market. We will also list out the factors to consider while picking these dog travel bowls and share our top picks. While these pet travel bowls are meant specifically for dogs, some of them would work equally well with cats.
Also, check out our article on the best dog water bottles if you are looking for something to carry your pooch’s water.
Best dog travel bowls list
Some of the best dog travel bowls and collapsible dog bowls available in the market are listed below:| Picture | Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Ruffwear Bivy Dog Travel Bowl | - High-end ultralight fabric dog travel bowl with a welded, single-wall watertight construction. Suitable for large dog breeds and messy eaters. - Stable, wide bottom design for superior grip and stability while eating. - Collapses to a small flat disc for transportation. Comes with an integrated hanging loop for clipping to the belt or backpack. - Features a reflective trim for better visibility, even in low light. - Backed by a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. | |
  | Bonza Collapsible Dog Travel Bowl | - High quality, collapsible dog bowl with a silicone body and a BPA-free plastic rim for stability. - Adjustable to a height of 2 inches or 5-inches. Suitable for medium and large dog breeds. - Top shelf dishwasher safe. - Comes with a carabiner clip and a bonus water bottle holder. - Backed by a one-year hassle-free money back guarantee. - A twin-pack with a carry cover is also available. | |
  | Healthy Human Portable Travel Bowl Set | - Multi-layered pet travel bowl set with two, three or four bowls stacked over one another. - Each bowl has a food-grade stainless steel interior and BPA-free plastic exterior. Non-stick and dishwasher safe. - Ideal for small and medium-sized dogs and all cats. - Leak-proof stacking with rubberized vacuum seal and side-clips. - The package includes 2 extra clips, 1 extra handle and a pet travel guide. - Available in three stacks and three colors - blue, green and pink. - Backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty. | |
  | Vittles Vault Gamma Travel Tainer | - Unique travel food carrier that combines food vault and two bowls in a single unit weighing under 11 oz. - Made of BPA-free, 100% recyclable, food grade plastic. - Features an air-tight air-sealed food container that keeps contents safe. - A removable handle holds the feeding bowls intact and ready to use in no time. - Available in blue or pink color. | |
  | Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Collapsible Dog Bowl | - Best-selling fabric dog bowl made of waterproof nylon. - Wide-bottom design. - Quick drying and easy to clean. - Comes in 2 sizes and 5 colors. | |
  | Ruffwear Quencher Collapsible Dog Bowl | - Wide-bottom, fabric dog travel bowl made of 210D Nylon with a 600D polyester outer lining. - Wide-bottom design makes it stable for the dog to feed on. - Machine washable in the delicate wash, cold water cycle. - Available in three sizes and three color combinations with a reflective trim. - A drawstring, Cinch top version is also available for carrying treats. - Backed by a lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects. | |
  | Prima Pet Collapsible Dog Travel Bowl | - Collapsible dog bowl with a silicone body and BPA-free plastic rim for better stability. - Compact- can fold to only 0.7-inch disc. - Top rack dishwasher safe. - Available in two sizes and 5 vibrant colors. The small size is also suitable as a cat travel bowl. - Comes with a carabiner clip for transportation. | |
  | Grand Fusion Pet Travel Bowl Set | - Popular pet travel bowl set with a zippered fabric carrier and two silicone pet travel bowls. - Smartly designed, with the bowls fitted in the carrier to prevent accidental movement while eating. - Comes in a vibrant light green color. Suitable for puppies, cats and small and medium dog breeds. - Comes with a carry loop for easy transportation. | |
  | Comsun Collapsible Dog Travel Bowl Set | - A set of two dog travel bowls made of Silicone with a BPA-free plastic rim. - Dishwasher safe in top rack. - Comes in two sizes and two vibrant color combinations. Suitable for cats and small to medium dog breeds. - Comes with a carabiner for each bowl for easy transportation. | |
  | Daisy & Chip RollUp Bowl & Mat | - Unique, roll-up, mat-type silicone pet travel bowl set. Can be rolled down to an 10 inch long and 2-inch thick roll and expanded to 10" x 17.5" food mat. - Two bowls with raised sides embedded in the mat. Suitable for small and medium dog breeds and all cats. - Anti-slip, waterproof and mold-resistant. Dishwasher safe. - Available in five colors and a roll-up button closure for compact carry. | |
  | YouThink Spill Proof Dog Travel Bowl Set | - Stacked dog travel mess kit featuring two or three stainless steel travel bowls with BPA-free plastic exteriors. - Rubber-sealed and watertight to prevent spillages. - Collapsible handle for compact storage. - Available as 2-layer or 3-layer travel bowl set. | |
  | Dexas Popware Portable Elevated Pet Feeder | - Unique, portable elevated pet feeding station with two removable silicone bowls and ABS plastic body. - Creates an elevated height of 7 inches. Very portable - collapses to 1.5 inches only. - Rubberized tips on the legs provide stability. Dishwasher safe construction. - Ideal for old and special need dogs and cats which require elevated feeders. |
What are dog travel bowls?
Dog travel bowls, or collapsible dog water bowls as they are often called, are affordable, lightweight yet durable, nourishment bowls that provide a convenient way to feed or hydrate your canine during travel and outdoor trips. These pet travel bowls are extremely portable and can collapse to a small size that can fit in a purse, pocket or travel bags. Some of them, especially the collapsible dog bowls, can also be carried around by attaching the included carabiner to a dog leash, belt or backpack.
Dog travel bowls are a convenient accessory to have in your pet travel kit and offer the convenience of comfortably feeding or watering your dog while on the move. These portable dog bowls are available in multiple sizes and cater to almost all dog breeds – ranging from tea-cup breeds to medium and large dog breeds. Some collapsible dog water bowls also work well with cats and other small animals.
In order to keep their design collapsible and weight manageable, most portable dog bowls are made of either fabric materials or silicone. A couple of manufacturers also provide stacked multi-layer mess kits with stainless-steel travel bowls. Plastic should generally avoided because it can get scratched easily and prevent leaching of chemicals such as BPA, BPS and Phthalates.
The only limitation of these portable dog bowls is because of their compact, collapsible design, they are generally smaller in size and you would have to fill them up a couple of times to fulfill the feeding or water requirements of the pet.
In the next sections, we will look at some of the factors to consider while picking the best collapsible dog water bowls and portable dog bowls for your pet and share our top picks.
How to pick the best dog travel bowls?
When it comes to portable dog travel bowls, there are a lot of options available in the market – different materials, sizes and designs. With so many different models, picking the best dog travel bowl can be a challenging task. Some of the major factors to consider before picking the best collapsible dog food or water bowl are summarized below:
- Primary Purpose
- Construction Material
- Size and Capacity
- Portability and weight
- Additional Factors
Considering the fact that dog travel bowls are not very costly (well, most of them), it is advisable to get more than one for your different travel needs.
Primary Purpose
The first thing you need to consider before getting a portable dog travel bowl is the primary purpose for which you are planning to get the bowl. You would generally find a collapsible silicone travel bowl the best choice for most of your requirements.
If you are looking for a pet travel bowl for short walks and trips to the dog park, then you can consider picking a collapsible dog water bowl such as the Prima Pet Collapsible Dog Travel Bowl for your pet. And if you prefer a fabric bowl, the Ruffwear Bivy Dog Travel Bowl or the inexpensive Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Collapsible Dog Bowl are the best collapsible dog water bowl options in the market.
If you are looking for a lightweight travel bowl set with a separate bowl for food and water, then you can look at getting a portable pet travel bowl set such as the popular Grand Fusion Pet Travel Bowl Set . It comes with a zippered fabric bag, with some extra space for storing goodies and waste bags along with the bowls.
Then there are silicone travel mats such as Tinzonc Dog & Cat Food Bowl Set, which are easy to carry around and best suited for puppies, cats and tea-cup dogs who can create a mess while eating.
If you are going for car camping or travel and do not mind carrying a dog travel kit with a dog travel kit, then you can look at multi-bowl stainless steel stack bowl set such as the Healthy Human Portable Dog & Cat Travel Bowl. It is one of the best collapsible travel bowl set with a lid available in the market.
Finally, if you have a special-need dog or an elder dog which prefers to eat through an elevated feeding station, then the Dexas Popware Portable Elevated Pet Feeder is the travel bowl to go for. It comes with a couple of silicone feeding bowls with a collapsible 7-inch plastic elevated station.
Construction Material
Portable dog travel bowls are generally made of plastic, fabric and silicone. There are also a couple of stacked mess-kit options available in the market with bowls having stainless steel interiors.
- Plastic travel bowls: Some over-the-counter travel bowls have a plastic construction. Such bowls are cheap and lightweight but suffer from a few major drawbacks.
Plastic bowls can get scratched easily and provide an unwanted breeding ground for bacteria, which can harm your pet. Moreover, if your dog is a chewer, a plastic bowl can quickly turn into another chew toy for your beloved dog and can be easily destroyed.
The presence of chemicals such as BPA, BPS, Phthalates and lead that can leach into the food is also something which makes plastic travel bowls an unsuitable choice for pet travel bowls.
- Fabric travel bowls: Fabric dog travel bowls are extremely portable and ultralight travel bowls. Generally made of high-density Nylon inner with a polyester liner, such bowls can be easily folded and carried into a pocket, purse or pack when not in use. And since the fabric used is odorless and chemical-free, fabric travel bowls are pretty safe to use.
Though fabric travel bowls can also be used for wet food and water, they do take some time to dry down after use. Another limitation of such bowls is that the fabric can crinkle or the bowl can move during feeding, so some large dogs and fast feeders may not like feeding in them. In order to provide stability and minimize movement of bowls, many fabric travel bowls have a wide-base design with a bigger base and a smaller mouth.
- Silicone travel bowls: Silicone is a polymer made from a combination of silicon and carbon, hydrogen and occasionally other additional additives. Since silicone is chemically inert, silicone travel bowls are quite safe to use for both food and water. Moreover, silicone is non-scratching, heat-resistant, lightweight and flexible.
Silicone dog travel bowls are collapsible and can be carried around in the pocket, purse, or tied up to the leash or belt using a carabiner. In order to provide stability and keep the shape, some silicone travel bowls have a food-grade plastic rim around the periphery.
The only limitation with silicone travel bowls is that silicone has a propensity for dirt and hence you have to ensure that no muck gets stuck while using these bowls.
- Stainless-steel bowls: Stainless-steel is probably the most durable, re-washable and chemically safe material for pet bowls. Some manufacturers do offer stacked bowl kits with bowls having stainless-steel interiors and plastic exteriors.
Such stacked pet travel bowls are generally heavier and bigger than other types of portable dog bowls. If you are looking for dog travel bowls with lids and are not too concerned about the extra space or weight you have to carry, you can opt for these mess kits.
- High-end fabric feeding bowl with a single-wall welded Nylon fabric construction.
- Large 60 fl.oz. capacity and weighs as little as 2.96 oz. Waterproof and collapsible.
- Wide-bottom design keeps the bowl stable when in use. Suitable for medium to large dog breeds and messy feeders.
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty against dog damage.
- Considerably costlier than most other dog travel bowls, but you get what you pay for.
- High-quality and durable pet travel bowl with a silicone body and a food-grade plastic rim. The rim provides better stability.
- Adjustable to two sizes – 2 cups and 5 cups of food. Suitable for large dog breeds.
- Collapsible to a small 0.75-inch disc which can be carried with a carabiner. Also, comes with a silicone bottle holder as a bonus.
- Backed by a one-year 100% money back guarantee.
- Slightly heavier than other dog travel bowls of the same size.
- Available in a single size.
- Stackable multi-bowl set with 2, 3 or 4 stainless steel feeding bowls.
- Food-grade stainless steel interior with BPA-free plastic exterior. Non-toxic and durable.
- Leak-proof locking allows you to carry goodies and other food items in the bowl set.
- Available in three beautiful color combinations, making it an excellent gift item for pet lovers.
- Backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty.
- Because of the design, not compact enough for backpacking or similar trips.
- A smaller size may require it to be refilled multiple times for large dog breeds.
- Budget Picks:
If you are looking for a budget pet travel bowl, then you can look at the newly redesigned Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Collapsible Dog Bowl. This pet travel bowl comes in two sizes 24 oz. which is about 4-inch deep and 48 oz. which is about 5.2-inch deep. It has a wide bottom design and a drawstring to store the goodies during a trip.
Another budget option is the hugely popular Comsun Collapsible Dog Travel Bowl Set. The set comes with two collapsible silicone travel bowls and is available in two sizes 12 oz. and 16 oz. Its small size makes it a suitable choice for cats and puppies as well.
- Elevated Travel Bowl:
If you are looking for a portable elevated travel bowl arrangement then look no further than the innovative Dexas Popware Portable Elevated Pet Feeder. It has a collapsible ABS plastic body with two silicone bowls which can be used with our without the feeding station. It can create an elevated height of around 7 inches and can collapse to as little as 1.5 inches. And it is also available on Chewy.
- Slow Feed Travel Bowl:
If you have a pet that muzzles through its food like a vacuum, then you need a slow feed dog bowl. If you are looking for a collapsible travel bowl that can help in slowing down the feeding time, then you can check out the Staruby Collapsible Slow Feed Bowl Set. It has a collapsible Silicone slow feed dog bowl that can be used like a plate or expanded as a feeding bowl. The bowl set includes two feeding bowls each with a carabiner for easy transportation.
- Overland Week Away Pet Travel Bag
- Top Dog Travel Bag
- Rover Premium Dog Travel Set
- Hilike Pet Travel Bag
Depending upon the primary purpose – dog park travel, hiking or car camping, you can pick the best portable dog bowl for your needs.
Size and Capacity
The capacity of a pet travel bowl and its overall size is also something to consider before picking the best travel bowl for your dog. Getting a travel bowl with suitable size would make feeding during travels convenient for you and your dog as you would not have to replenish the food or water multiple times.
Small travel bowls with a capacity of 12-20 ounces are most suitable for tea-cup dog breeds, puppies and most cats. You can even use such bowls with other ferret pets. With a feeding height of less than 5 inches, these bowls are convenient for such animals.
Dog bowls with an overall capacity of 20-40 ounces and a height of 5-6 inches work well with small to medium dog breeds. For larger dogs, you can look at large capacity options such as our favorite – the Ruffwear Bivy Dog Travel Bowl.
Many manufacturers that we listed offer same models in multiple sizes, so you can pick the best collapsible dog water bowl or portable dog bowls for your pet’s outdoor trips.
Portability and Weight
Closely related to the capacity of the pet travel bowl are its weight and the collapsed size. This can govern the portability of the travel bowl especially if you are going on a hiking or backpacking trip and would be carrying your pet’s gear as well.
Pick a lightweight collapsible travel bowl – either silicone or fabric, which can wind down to a size small enough to carry in your pocket, or attached to the backpack or belt. Fabric travel bowls are virtually weightless, while the silicone travel bowls are slightly heavier. As an example, the Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Collapsible Dog Bowl weighs an ultralight 0.3 oz. for its 24-ounce bowl.
Stainless-steel travel bowl kits and other special travel bowl sets such as silicone mats weigh a lot more and hence are suitable only for car camping and similar. And if your dog can share the load by carrying its necessities in a dog backpack, then you can very well carry multiple travel bowls.
Additional factors and considerations
In addition to the major factors discussed above, there are a few other considerations that can make a purchase more attractive than others.
One such factor is the ease of cleaning a pet travel bowl. The silicone and stainless steel travel bowls that we listed are all dishwasher-safe, so you can simply toss them up on the top shelf to clean them up. Fabric travel bowls, on the other hand, are best suited for a quick hand wash with mild soap and water.
Another factor to consider is the color combinations of the travel bowl. While it may not have a major impact, picking a travel bowl that has a vibrant color with a reflective trim can be useful for elderly dogs and evening time. Most of the options that we listed are available in multiple colors, so you can pick the one that suits your canine’s personality and requirements.
Some manufacturers include additional accessories such as carrying case, additional carabiners, and similar accessories to sweeten the deal.
Finally, the warranty and after-sales support on the dog travel bowl is something to look out for to ensure its durability. Most of the pet travel bowls that we have listed are pretty durable and would last for a long time. Manufacturers such as Ruffwear offer a lifetime warranty on their products, while some other travel bowls come with a 90-day to one-year manufacturer warranty.
Look out for these additional factors to determine if a specific dog travel bowl would be more suitable for your needs.
Which are the best dog travel bowls and what our picks are?
Ruffwear Bivy Dog Travel Bowl review – Editor’s pick for the best portable dog bowl
If you are looking for a top-of-the-line dog travel bowl to take with you on long walks or camping or hiking trips and do not mind spending a little more (well considerably more!), then you should look at getting the Ruffwear Bivy Dog Travel Bowl.
This high-quality fabric feeding bowl boasts of a durable, single-wall airtight welded-fabric construction. The welded, single-wall construction ensures that the bowl remains stable and uniform while feeding. A reflective fabric rim ensures that the bowl is easy to detect even in the evenings.
The Ruffwear Bivy bowl has a capacity of 60 fl.oz. or 7.5 cups, which makes it suitable for medium and large dogs. You can even use it for two dogs, if they are willing to share. It weighs an ultralight 2.96 ounces and can be collapsed to almost a flat disc-type size.
The Bivy bowl has a wide-bottom design. The bottom is about 7.5-inches in diameter, while the top is around 6-inches. The base is rubberized and textured for extra stability. The bowl also has a hanging loop attached to the bottom for easy transportation in the backpack.
The Ruffwear Bivy bowl is waterproof and can be used both for feeding and hydration. It can withstand water for a longer time than other fabric travel bowls.
Unlike silicone travel bowls which are dishwasher safe, the Ruffwear Bivy Bowl needs to be washed with hand. You can use a soft nail or tooth-brush and rinse it with a mild detergent or soap. It is designed to dry quickly in air by suspending it by the hanging loop.
The Ruffwear Bivy bowl is available in a couple of color combinations. And like other high-quality Ruffwear products, the Ruffwear Bivy Dog Travel Bowl is backed by a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects – a big statement on the quality of the travel bowl.
Bonza Collapsible Dog Travel Bowl review – Editor’s pick for the best silicone portable dog bowl
With so many high-quality options available in the market, selecting the best collapsible silicone feeding bowl can be a challenge and we picked the popular Bonza dog travel bowl as our top pick.
The high-quality Bonza travel bowl is made from FDA-approved silicone, with a food-grade BPA, BPS and Phthalate-free plastic rim for uniformity and extra stability during feeding. The molded rim is about 0.75-inches thick.
The Bonza dog travel bowl comes in a single standard size with a maximum capacity of 40 ounces (5 cups of food). It has a standard wide-mouth design with a smaller bottom and a wide, 7-inch diameter opening. The travel bowl is adjustable to two depths – 2-inches and 5-inches. The 2-inch deep bowl can carry up to 2 cups of food (about 25 ounces) and hence can be used with small and medium dog breeds. The fully expanded, 5-inch depth is most suitable for large dog breeds.
The Bonza travel bowl is pretty portable and collapses to a 0.75-inch size. And despite its large capacity, the travel bowl weighs a mere 0.4 ounces. Moreover, it comes with a standard steel carabiner clip to attach the bowl to the belt, leash, purse or backpack. As a bonus, the pet travel bowl comes with a water bottle holder – something that you would rarely use anyway.
One of the best parts of the Bonza dog travel bowl is its durability, which is backed by a one-year, hassle-free 100% money back guarantee.
Healthy Human portable travel bowl set review – Editor’s pick for the best stainless-steel portable dog bowl
Every pet owner knows that stainless steel feeding bowls are one of the best options to have as feeding and hydrating containers. Stainless steel is chemically inert, durable and easy to clean.
So, it is obvious to look for a stainless steel dog travel bowl that you can carry around on travel trips with your beloved canine companion. If you are looking for something like this, then check out the popular Healthy Human portable travel bowl set.
The Healthy Human portable travel bowl set is a multi-layer, stackable pet travel bowl set with two, three or four feeding bowls stacked over one another. This set is a perfect item for multi-pet homes with small and medium dog breeds, puppies and even cats.
Each bowl is made of food-grade stainless steel which is eco-friendly, non-toxic, non-stick and dishwasher safe. The exteriors of the bowl are made of BPA, BPS and Phthalate free-plastic. A plastic handle provides an easy mechanism to carry the mess kit around.
The bottom bowl in the bowl set has a capacity of 20 fl.oz. and every other bowl has a capacity of 16 fl. oz. The bowl is about 5.8 inches in diameter.
The size may be small and you may require refills to satisfy your pet, but considering a 2-bowl set weighs only 14 oz., the trade-off is quite favorable.
The stacking is leak-proof with rubberized vacuum seals and side clips. Since there is a lid on the top bowl, you can use the stacked set to store food, goodies, waste bags and even a toy. Please note that each bowl in the set does not have a lid, so you would have to stack them up to create an airtight arrangement.
The Healthy Human travel bowl set comes with a nice set of accessories – 2 extra clips, 1 extra handle and a pet travel guide. And it is available in three sizes (defined by the number of bowls) – 2-bowl, 3-bowl or 4-bowl set. The 2-bowl set is 4.5-inches high, the 3-bowl set is 6.5-inches high while the four bowl set is a generous 8.5-inches high.
Another interesting feature is the color combinations the travel bowl set is available in – vibrant blue, green and beautiful pink. Definitely, something to look out for! And like other Healthy Human products, the travel bowl set carries a warranty of one year against manufacturing defects.
Additional top rated dog travel bowls
In addition to the three top picks, some worthy mentions for specific needs are listed below:
Dog Travel Bags and Kits
If you are looking for a single pet travel kit which includes everything – collapsible bowls, kibble carrier, toy and medicine storages bags and all, you can get a pet travel bag or kit for your beloved canine (or felines).
While listing different types of dog travel bags would be a topic of discussion of another article, you can check out the following best dog travel bag options:
Final thoughts on the best dog travel bowls
If you are looking for a hygienic mechanism to feed or hydrate your dog (or dogs) on those outdoor excursions, then you have to get portable and lightweight pet travel bowls. Be it a playful trip to the nearby dog park, an outstation trip in your car or long camping or hiking trips, these collapsible dog travel bowls can provide you a portable option to feed or hydrate your pet.
In this article, we looked at some of the best collapsible dog bowls and dog travel bowls available in the market. We looked at all the different kinds of travel bowls and shared our favorites for each category. We also listed out the factors to consider while picking the best dog travel bowl for your pet.
We hope that you found this article useful and it would help you in picking the best collapsible dog water bowl for your canine companion. Do let us know your feedback and questions by commenting below. Until next time, happy traveling with your furry friend!
Image credits:Amazon.com