The 7 Best Hiking Dog Bowls [2024]

Nothing beats enjoying the great outdoors with your best friend, whether on shorter hiking trails or multi-day camping and hiking trips. Since nobody wants to be bogged down with extra equipment when hiking, lightweight, compact products are ideal for these outdoor adventures.

A suitable bowl to feed and hydrate your dog along the way is necessary for keeping them happy and energized on the hiking trail.

Things To Consider With Hiking Dog Bowls

Your dog deserves the best, especially on a long hiking trip. Consider these factors to give them the most suitable dog bowl to keep them happy along the way.

Material

Material is an essential factor in terms of cleaning, longevity, and safety for your pet. Of course, you only want the best for your fur friends, so the bowl’s material should be carefully considered. Most foldable or collapsible hiking dog bowls are made of synthetic materials like waterproof nylon or soft silicone.

Depending on which material it’s made of, you’ll want to ensure it’s BPA-free, nontoxic, food-grade, and pet-safe to keep your dog healthy and happy. Easy-to-clean materials make life a lot easier while you’re hiking, like silicone which can be easily wiped out or handwashed.

If you’re planning on putting your dog bowl in the dishwasher when you’re home, make sure it’s dishwasher safe as this can degrade waterproof abilities over time.

Hot Tip: It’s essential to properly dry your hiking dog bowl before storing it, as you don’t want mold to form in any of the folds or pleats.

Bowl Size

Big and small dogs have different needs, so be mindful of that when purchasing. Dog bowls are not one-size-fits-all, and smaller dogs may have trouble or refuse to eat out of too deep bowls.

Similarly, smaller bowls may not hold enough food for bigger dogs, or they might just slosh water out of the bowl without getting what they need. Some hiking dog bowls are adjustable, which makes them perfect if you have more than one pooch keeping you company.

Weight and Compactness

Cumbersome, heavy equipment is a hiker’s worst enemy, so you don’t want your dog bowl to add to the problem. Most hiking dog bowls are impressively lightweight, but make sure to check out the specifications before you purchase.

Many of them are collapsible or foldable, and some can even fold down into smaller enough pouches that you can fit in your pocket.

These types might come in handy for multi-purpose use, like hiking or taking your dog out for regular walks on hot days. Other hiking bowls might fold down into various shapes that can easily hang off your backpack for easy access when it’s needed.

Structure & Stability

The structure is an important feature to look at depending on your dog’s eating habits. If you have a dog who is a messy eater, look out for designs that have structural integrity, so they won’t collapse inward or be easily knocked over when your dog is eating.

For example, silicone bowls may have stiff plastic lips that offer stability, and nylon dog bowls may just have thicker material that maintains shape when unfolded. You’ll also want to consider if the bottom of the bowl has a durable, skid-proof surface to prevent moving around while your dog is trying to eat or drink.

Hot Tip: If you’re hiking with dog food or accessories, consider our guide to the best dog travel bags.

The 7 Best Hiking Dog Bowls

If you’re looking for a quality product to help your dog stay fed and hydrated on the trails, check out our top picks below.

1. Dog Bowls With Adjustable Sizes

Check on Walmart

Bonza Large Collapsible Dog Bowl

Perfect for pups hiking with you on the trail, this collapsible dog bowl expands to 2 different sizes. The smaller side holds 0.5 liters, and the larger holds 1 liter, making it great for big and small dogs. It measures just 7 inches across and weighs under 6 ounces, so it’s easy to carry around on the trails.

The bottom and rim are solid plastic, and the body is 100% BPA-free food-grade silicone that folds down easily. It’s also tear-resistant for durability and has an attachment point on the rim so you can attach the included carabiner and hang it from your backpack.

Once you’re back home, just handwash or pop it in the dishwasher until your next adventure.

What We Like:

• It’s adjustable to 2 sizes

What We Don’t Like:

• The carabiner could be sturdier

2. Super-compact Dog Bowls

LumoLeaf Collapsible Dog Bowl

For extra space-saving capabilities, take a look at the LumoLeaf foldable travel bowl. These large dog bowls come in a 2-pack — one bowl for food and one for water.

The larger bowl is 8.6 inches by 3.9 inches and holds up to 10 cups of water; the smaller bowl is 7.5 inches by 3.9 inches and holds up to 8 cups of food.

Made of leakproof nylon, they’re long-lasting, lightweight, and easy to handwash or wipe clean with a cloth. When you’re all done, they fold down and zip into a semi-circular shape that easily fits into your pocket.

A fabric loop fits the included carabiner, which makes strapping it to your backpack or dog harness easy.

What We Like:

• Easily folds down for compact carry

What We Don’t Like:

• Pleats inside may be harder to clean

3. Hiking Dog Bowls With Food Storage Bags

Check on Walmart

Awakelion Collapsible Dog Bowl

An excellent choice for longer hiking, camping trips, or weeklong road trips, this kit comes with 3 pieces: 2 collapsible dog bowls and a travel food bag. The bowls are made from oxford cloth with a food-grade, water-resistant, tear-resistant lining for extra durability.

The travel bag can hold up to 25 cups of food and has a loop handle for easy carrying. The bowls measure 7.5 inches by 4.5 inches and can hold around 4 cups of food or 1 liter of water at a time, so they’re suitable for bigger dogs. The bowls fold down and have an elastic strap attached to keep them securely in place.

What We Like:

• Handy 3-piece kit

What We Don’t Like:

• Not completely waterproof

Hot Tip: If you hike extended distances with your 4-legged friend, consider our guide to the best dog carrier backpacks.

4. Machine Washable Dog Bowls

Kurgo Zippy Bowl

Available in 2 colors, this lightweight dog bowl is only 1.76 ounces and holds 48 ounces of food or water. Made with PVC-, BPA-, and phthalate-free material, it has a pleated interior that allows it to be folded down and a pocket-sized triangle.

It has a zip to keep it secure and a fabric loop with a carabiner, so you can hang it off your backpack or belt loop for easy reach. When expanded, the bowl is 6.5 inches wide and 4.8 inches high, so it’s better suited for hikes with smaller dogs.

For extra convenience, it’s machine washable. Just remove the carabiner, toss it in on a gentle cycle, and then air dry.

What We Like:

• Super-compact dog bowl

What We Don’t Like:

• Carabiner loop could be sturdier

5. Hiking Dog Bowls With Storage Lids

Tuff PupperSuperBig Slurp Collapsible Dog Bowl

Holding up to 12 cups of food and 100 ounces of water, this Super Slurp bowl is ideal for larger dogs. Made of adjustable, collapsible silicone, it has a rigid rim that gives it structure and a handle with a carabiner for easy toting.

It also comes with a lid that keeps food fresh and converts into a base, so the bottom of the bowl stays protected, and your dog won’t knock it over while eating. Nontoxic, food-grade, and odorless, you can rest assured it’s a good choice for your pup.

They’re also available in 4 colors and 40- and 60-ounce sizes, just in case you need a hiking bowl for a smaller dog.

What We Like:

• The lid doubles as a base

What We Don’t Like:

• The material could be thicker

6. Multi-pack Hiking Dog Bowls

Anturebay Collapsible Dog Bowl

Available in a convenient 2-pack, these dog bowls come with plastic lids to keep food fresh and carabiners attached to the rim for easy carry. The lid also doubles as a base for the bowl or a frisbee for fun game time with your pup.

Better suited for small dogs or short hikes, these bowls hold 15 ounces of water and 1.5 cups of food. Just 0.43 inches when folded flat, they expand to 2.12 inches tall and 5.12 inches wide.

It’s a great lightweight option for outdoor activities with your dog without being weighed down with gear. In addition, pet-safe silicone can be easily wiped clean with a cloth or handwashed and air-dried, which is convenient for longer hiking trips.

What We Like:

• Comes in a handy 2-pack

What We Don’t Like:

• Not suitable for bigger dogs

7. Hiking Bowls for Smaller Dogs

Palisade Pets Collapsible Doggy Bowl

These dog bowls are made from thick, leakproof fabric and come in a pack of 2 different colors. They’re suitable for water and food and hold up to 42 ounces or 5.25 cups of food. The size, depth, and capacity are perfect for smaller dogs joining you for camping trips or day hikes.

Their compact design makes them a great option if you’re looking for bowls that pack together and take up very little space. They easily fold down into a 2-inch thick circular pouch with a convenient zip and carabiner loop. Made from thick oxford cloth, you can simply wipe them out while hiking or handwash and air dry.

What We Like:

• Both bowls fold into 1 compact case

What We Don’t Like:

• Not suitable for bigger dogs

Final Thoughts

Taking your dog along for hiking, camping, or a road trip can involve a little planning, but keeping them fed and hydrated is top of the list. There are many things to consider when picking which dog bowl suits your pet and activity types, but many options exist.

From silicone to oxford cloth, 3-piece kits or single bowls, and foldable or collapsible, you’re bound to find one that perfectly suits your needs.