Dog Crate Water Bottles Buyer’s Guide
Did you know, according to the American Kennel Club, adult dogs should drink 1oz of water per pound of body weight every day? And while this may vary depending on breed, dog activity level, and size, staying hydrated is a health requirement for all dogs.
So, how do you take care of your dog’s water drinking needs when you are traveling and have his/her in a crate? Simple! Buy a dog water crate bottle.
However, not every dog water bottle is good enough to quench your furry friend’s thirst while on the go. Look for the following 5 must-have features when purchasing a dog crate water bottle.
Dog-Safe Material
We list this feature first because your dog’s health must be protected while hydrating him/her. Experts disagree a great deal about what plastics are safe for dogs and which ones are not. But while they don’t come to a consensus, look out for water bottles that are made of PET and ABS plastic and indicate that they are BPA-free.
Both our top pick and the budget-conscious pick are good examples of dog water bottles made of dog-safe plastic.
Firm Fix On Crate
If it reads ‘dog crate water bottle’, then it must be good enough to use on a crate. One way to confirm this is by checking whether the bottle has a feature that allows you to fix it on the crate while letting your dog drink with ease. The most common ways dog water bottles are fixed on crates are by hanging hooks or brackets that can either be screwed or fastened on the crate.
Check the Pet Standing Water Dispenser or the FatPet 400ml Dog Water Bottle to see how hooks work and the Choco Nose H528 No Drip Rabbit Water Bottle or the Poodle Pet Water Feeder Bottle to get an idea of how brackets work on the cage.
Sturdy, No-Drip Nozzle
There’s no doubt that you want to have your dog drinking its daily water supply while keeping your car dry. A no-drip nozzle is a must-have feature in that case. Nozzles with balls at the tip of the nozzle or those that function on gravity when the ball is touched by your dog’s tongue are usually non-drip.
Consider nozzles that have a stainless steel tip since dogs tend to chew. A steel nozzle would be difficult to chew if your dog got frustrated with slow water flow from the bottle.
All our pick are no-drip and many of our picks have a stainless steel nozzle tip. See, for example, the Pet Standing Water Dispenser and the Choco Nose H528 No Drip Rabbit Water Bottle.
Dog-Appropriate Water Capacity
We started by saying that dog’s hydrating needs may vary with size among other characteristics. If you are buying a water bottle for a large-sized dog, our top pick, Choco Nose H590, will not do because its 331ml capacity is made for small and medium-sized dogs. But the Fatpet 900ml Dog Water Bottle would be excellent for a large dog.
Choosing the right water capacity bottle will save you the trouble of having to refill often and the risk of leaving your dog without adequate water when you are traveling.
Compatible Nozzle
There are two advantages to purchasing a dog water bottle with a nozzle that is compatible with most PET plastic bottles. First, you can replace the original bottle with a bigger or smaller one according to need or substitute it if it accidentally falls and breaks.
Second, if you are going on a long trip, you can fill several compatible bottles and simply replace the empty one without needing to refill.
Most of our picks have a tick for the compatible feature. That includes our top pick, the Choco Nose H528, and a few others on the list.