How to Give Your Dog Water on Walks, Trips and Car Rides

You are halfway round your usual loop, your dog slows down and looks up at you, and there is no tap or bowl in sight. A water break on the go only takes a minute, but it is much easier when you have planned it before you leave the house. This guide covers how to pack water for your dog, when to stop, how to pour a drink without wasting half of it, and what to keep in mind on trips and car rides.

Pack water before you head out

The easiest water break is the one you prepared at home. A few habits turn it into routine:

• Fill up with fresh water before every walk. Pour away what is left from last time and start again, so your dog always gets fresh water.
• Check the lid before the bottle goes in a bag. Close it tight, then hold the bottle upside down over the sink for a moment. If nothing drips, you are ready to go.
• Think about the route and the weather. Planning a long walk or a warm day out? Bring enough water for your dog, and if you are not sure, take a little more rather than less.
• Keep it within reach. A bottle you carry on your wrist or in an easy pocket is one you will actually use, rather than one buried at the bottom of a bag.

When to stop for a drink

There is no single schedule that suits every dog. Age, size, energy, the length of the walk and the weather all play a part, so watch your own dog rather than the clock. Good moments to offer water are often the natural pauses in a walk:

• after a burst of play or a stretch of running around;
• halfway round a longer route, before you turn for home;
• when you stop to rest on a bench or in the shade;
• at the end of the walk, before you get back in the car.

Offering water does not mean your dog has to drink. Some dogs take a few laps and move on; others want a proper drink. If you have questions about how much water your dog needs, for example for a puppy, an older dog or on hot days, ask your vet.

How to pour a drink without spilling it

Giving your dog water on the move is easier with a little routine:

1. Stop first. Stand still and let your dog settle. Pouring while you are both walking mostly waters your shoes.
2. Hold the bowl low and level. Bring it down to a comfortable height for your dog, so they do not have to stretch for it or chase it.
3. Pour a little at a time. Start with a small amount; you can always add more.
4. Let your dog drink at their own pace. Give them a moment before you top up.
5. Close up before you move on. Lid on, bowl away, and you are ready to keep walking.

Water on trips and car rides

On longer days out, plan your dog's water breaks into your stops the same way you plan your own. A bottle in the car and one in your day bag means you are not relying on finding water along the way.

In the car, give your dog a drink only once you have stopped, never while you are driving. Close the lid tight before you set off again, and keep your dog secured in the car as the law requires where you live.

Keep your bottle clean and ready

A water bottle that is looked after is one you will grab without thinking. After each walk:

• pour away any water that is left;
• rinse the bottle and dry it;
• let it dry fully before you put it away;
• check every part, and stop using the bottle if any part gets damaged.

Where SipGo™ fits in

The SipGo™ Dog Water Bottle is built around exactly this routine. It is a round travel bottle with a silicone cover over one half. Lift the cover and it forms a little bowl; pull off the lid and tilt the bottle to pour a little water in. When your dog has finished, tilt the bottle upright slowly and what is left runs back inside. Snap the lid back on, press the bowl back into place, and carry it by the braided wrist loop.

The lid is leak-proof when securely closed, tested by Houndkeep, so check that it is fully shut before the bottle goes in your bag. SipGo™ comes in three styles: Stainless Steel and Stainless Steel Print are the smaller ball, Clear Print is the larger one. Blue and Pink come in all three styles, Grey in Clear Print only. Pick one for your walks, or take two: one for the car and one for your bag.

If your dog likes to carry a few light walk essentials, such as poop bags or a handful of treats, the PupPack™ backpack harness has one small zipped pocket on the back. Keep what goes in it light and balanced, and keep the water bottle on your own wrist.

FAQ

How much water should I bring for my dog?

It depends on your dog, the length of the walk and the weather. Bring enough for your dog, take more on long walks and warm days, and ask your vet if you are unsure how much your dog needs.

Can I give my dog water in the car?

Yes, once you have stopped. Do not offer a drink while you are driving, close the lid tight before you set off again, and keep your dog secured as the law requires.

How do I clean a dog water bottle?

Empty it after each walk, rinse it and dry it, and let it dry fully before you put it away. Fill it with fresh water before the next walk.