Dogs are messy creatures, especially around the water bowl. This is a common problem affecting dogs of all sizes. The mess seems never-ending, whether a big puddle by the bowl or drips all over your house. To save you the icky feeling of wet socks and the hazard of a wet, slippery floor, consider a no-spill dog bowl.
A no-spill dog bowl can help turn your water-splashing dog into a dripless, or at least much less messy, drinker. Let’s take a look at the types of now-spill dog bowls and which kinds work the best.
| Overall | For Small Dogs | For Large Dogs | For Chewers | For Messy Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| Ray Allen Buddy Bowl | Kurgo | LIDLOCK | Modern Artisans Stonewear | Coldest |
| View on Amazon | View on Chewy | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
We spent over 120 hours testing 17 different no-spill dog bowls with the help of our dedicated dog testing team.
Best No-Spill Dog Bowls
A quick note: no single bowl worked best for all dogs. The size, build, and breed of the dog all play a role. No-spill bowls are not all made for every dog; some work great for one dog but might be a total failure for others.
Flat-faced breeds, in particular, have issues finding suitable water bowls. Many no-spill bowls rely on a narrow opening, one that flat-faced dogs cannot squeeze their faces through. Additionally, several plastic options are available that many dogs can easily chew through. We cover plastic dog bowls in more detail here.
Best Overall: Ray Allen K9 Buddy Bowl Review
Out of all the no-spill bowls we reviewed, none impressed us more than the K9 Buddy Bowl by Ray Allen. Its three-part design is made from FDA #1 non-toxic polyethylene.
During regular use, on its side or even flipped upside down, the bowl doesn’t let any water escape. The ability to lock in water makes this water bowl suitable for use at home or on the road – perfect for motorhomes or working dogs who ride with you.
Best of all, the design keeps long ears dry. Your Bloodhound, Bassett Hound, or Beagle couldn’t dunk his droopy ears in this bowl if he tried.
The Ray Allen Buddy Bowl comes in three sizes:
- Small: 32 oz
- Medium: 44 oz
- Large: 64 oz
Pricing
- Starting At: $29.99 ($29.99 / Count)
We flipped, threw, and rolled the Ray Allen Buddy Bowl, but it refused to leak. The simple design was darn effective at containing water. The only time we successfully spilled it was by incorrectly placing the lid on the bowl.
The all-plastic design allowed the bowl to slide around while our doggy testers used the bowl. However, this was only really a problem while they learned how to correctly use the bowl, bumping their snout on the edges in the process.
The enclosed design prevented water from sloshing out of the bowl while it moved around. Once our pups mastered the correct technique, standing over the bowl instead of off to the side, the bowl hardly moved at all.
If you are concerned about the bowl sliding, you could place the bowl against a wall or even use a non-slip mat. If in doubt or if you have multiple dogs, choose a larger size. None of our testers struggled when presented with the next size up.
Even Champ, our flat-faced dog breed tester, could drink from the wide opening. Admittedly, he had to smoosh his face right in and looked darn silly doing it.
While the bowl is still usable, it’s not exactly the right tool for the job. This is a good example of how even the best bowls may not work for every single dog.
Best No-Spill Dog Bowl For Small Dogs: Kurgo Splash Free Wander Bowl Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
If your mini pooch is too small to flip or push around his dog bowl, then our number one pick might be overkill for you. That’s why we decided to find a better solution for smaller dogs.
Introducing the Kurgo Splash-Free Wander Bowl. The tilted opening and flexible sides allow even the tiniest Chihuahua to access the water easily. It also works well with food and is PVC and BPA-free. It’s available in blue or red and can lie flat on the car seat.
Made entirely of food-grade silicone, Kurgo designed this no-spill bowl to be travel-friendly. We easily folded the bowl in half and kept it in our glove compartment. It is the most travel-friendly no-spill bowl we tested.
Pricing
- Starting At: $13.95
The Kurgo held up well during testing, and water didn’t slosh around. The bowl didn’t slide around on grass, carpet, or decking, and Leo didn’t spill a drop. It is not suitable for larger breeds but is a top pick for small or medium-sized dogs. Check out these collapsible dog bowls we reviewed if you want a more compact option.
Best No-Spill Water Bowl For Large Dogs: LIDLOCK Stainless Feeder Review
Larger breeds are known for being messy at the water dish, and thankfully there are several options made just for those giant breeds we love. LIDLOK 1.1-gallon slow feeder bowl is made just for the big breeds. It can also work for multi-pet homes.
We like the self-adjusting floating cover. The floating disk keeps dust, hair, and debris out while allowing the liquid to flow. No one wants to drink dirty water, so we really like this feature. It comes with a mat to prevent sliding.
We also like the detachable parts, which make it easy to clean. That said, some dogs did figure out how to remove the disk, and we did not notice any reduction in slobber after drinking. Of course, some bigger pups still made a mess, so this one is not totally spill-proof.
Pricing
- Starting At: $29.99
Best No-Spill Water Bowl For Chewers: Modern Artisans Stoneware Pottery Review
Is your dog a hardcore chewer? If so, you are all too familiar with how quickly plastic and silicone dog bowls are destroyed. One solution we came across during testing is a hand-made Modern Artisans ceramic no-spill bowl made in the USA. Made from stoneware clay, the bowl’s hard finish discourages even the most determined chewer.
As you would expect from a ceramic dog bowl, it is heavy. The smaller size weighs two pounds, while the larger size weighs four. Even so, an overly playful German Shepherd can likely carry it around with ease.
The inward curling edges effectively stopped water from sloshing over the edges – even when used by our messiest drinkers.
Pricing
- Starting At: $61.99
We were also impressed with just how little the bowl moved around. We tested it on carpet, tiles, wooden floorboards, and even grass – the darn thing wouldn’t budge no matter who drank from it.
Three drainage holes are dotted around the lip. These allow water to escape when washing, preventing the risk of mold and mildew that often comes with trapped water. Speaking of the lip, we did note that it made the opening a little too narrow to accommodate a flat-faced dog.
Best No Spill Dog Bowl For Messy Dogs: Coldest Dog Bowl Review
For pets who are messy drinkers and those who like to tip them over, finding a bowl that can prevent that splash and wet mess is essential. For those pups, the Coldest stainless-steel option might be a good choice.
This stainless-steel option is insulated, nonslip, and designed to be spill-proof. It keeps the contents cool and fresh. The bowl comes in four different sizes and several colors and is made from food-grade stainless steel.
A proprietary bottom grip helps to prevent spills and damage to the floor. It also makes it very hard to tip over. Of course, no bowl is 100% untippable, as many dogs are very clever.
Learn more about other stainless steel dog bowls in our detailed reviews.
Pricing
- Starting At: $20.99
How Does A No Spill Dog Bowl Work?
As the name suggests, a no-spill dog bowl is designed to do one thing:
Stop your dog from making a mess when he eats and drinks – keeping your floor clean and dry.
Some have a lid to prevent water from splashing over the edge of the bowl…
Some have a narrow opening that only your dog’s tongue can slide through…
Others defy gravity and won’t leak even if flipped upside down…
All told, no-spill bowls come in dozens of different designs.
The 3 Types Of No-Spill Dog Water Bowl
During our research, we came across three variations of the no-spill bowl.
1. Spill-Proof
A plastic bowl typically made from a three-part construction, this bowl will not leak a drop of water, even if flipped upside down.
2. Splash-Proof
This version is essentially a regular dog bowl with an awning running around the edge. This bowl prevents splashes from messy drinking and your dog nudging the bowl. However, it won’t stop a dog who is determined to make a mess.
3. Splash Catchers
This design has a mat or container that the dog bowl sits on. It not only catches spilled water but dropped dog food as well. It is worth mentioning that no-spill bowls work best with water. If you are looking for a dedicated food bowl, I suggest grabbing a slow-feed bowl instead.
When Is A No-Spill Dog Bowl Needed?
A no-spill water bowl may be a good idea in several situations. These include messy drinkers, dogs who gulp water, and those with long ears or hair. All of these can cause a mess and even cause dogs to choke on water or vomit, making the mess worse.
A wet mess on the carpet, or one that damages hardwood floors, can be more than just a hassle to clean up; it can leave permanent damage. This is especially true if you have a puppy, as they often have wet messes and accidents.
How We Tested
At Canine Journal, we take reviews seriously. We never recommend products that we wouldn’t happily give to our own dogs. That’s why our testing team thoroughly evaluates each product we recommend – with paws-on use.
We spent 120+ hours researching, testing, and reviewing the most popular (and even some unpopular) no-spill dog bowls on the market.
The first thing we did was to decide on which no-spill dog bowls we should test.
After researching the different no-spill bowls on the market, analyzing user reviews, and interviewing experts, we narrowed our selection to 17 bowls. We purchased each no-spill dog bowl from Amazon.com. Yes, we pay full price here at Canine Journal, and we want the experience to be as organic as possible.
What We Tested For
Each bowl was tested for a week by each dog to give them time to get used to it and learn how to use it correctly. From there, we graded each bowl on its ability to prevent the area around the bowl from turning into a flood zone.
We also tested each bowl for…
- Ease of cleaning
- Did the bowl slide around during drinking?
- Durability
Meet Our Canine Testers
We assembled a team of testers to interact with, observe, and rate the performance of each no-spill bowl.
For this test, we sourced a few testers from Fetch A Friend Rescue, a rescue organization that takes in dogs from local shelters who would otherwise be put down, giving them a second chance to find a forever home. If you live in Upstate New York and are looking for a four-legged family friend, check them out!
Let me introduce you to a few members of the testing team:
1. Pixie
Breed: Pit Bull mix
Despite being neglected by her previous owner, Pixie is an optimist and ready to find a new home with a family who will give her plenty of belly rubs. She loves to play with other dogs, especially tug-of-war, and is a total toy addict, often attempting to fit two or three toys in her mouth at once.
Good news: Pixie has been adopted!
2. Champ
Breed: American Bulldog mix
Champ had a very rough start to his life, spending it chained up in a yard. He now has aspirations of being a professional taste tester. If it’s on the floor, he puts it in his mouth. He’s not a barker but prefers to talk through cute, grunty noises.
Good news: Champ was also adopted!
3. Leo
Breed: Jack Russell mix
Hailing from the deep south, Leo is a southern gentleman. He doesn’t bark, is well-trained, and, most importantly, brings the ball back to your feet when you throw it. After a fun day of playing, Leo loves nothing more than snuggling and rubbing his head.
Good news: Leo was adopted!
4. Tucker
Breed: Yellow Labrador Retriever
Tucker is one of our regular testers and loves everything to do with the outdoors. Rain, hail, or shine. And, snow… Especially snow. Tucker performed a few happy laps in the snow before we convinced him to test the no-spill dog bowls.
I have also personally tested over ten different types of no-spill dog bowls with my dog Daisy, a Pitbull Labrador mix. Daisy is a very messy drinker and makes a huge mess every day. I am constantly searching for a bowl she cannot make a mess with.
Ways To Discourage Messy Drinking
Dogs are messy drinkers because they do not have cheeks like ours that allow them to suck liquid in. Instead, canines must lap at the liquid with their tongues moving it into their mouths. This action causes splashing; some animals are more vigorous and messier than others.
One way to handle this is to provide the right drinking dish and a mat underneath to catch any mess. There is no way to make a dog drink less sloppily, so finding ways to manage it is essential. Using non-spill and non-tip bowls, slow-feeding and drinking bowls, and keeping a mat under your pup’s eating and drinking area all reduce the wet mess.
For some dogs, a raised dog bowl can help deter the mess from eating and drinking. The Fluff Trough is a top suggestion for flat-faced dog breeds, though it is best for food, not water. A slanted bowl, like the Felli Pet Oblik ergonomic steel bowl, works well for smushy-faced breeds like Frenchies and Pugs, and may help keep messes to a minimum
Do you have a favorite no-spill dog water bowl or any tips to help manage dogs who are messy drinkers? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
Have You Considered A Dog Water Fountain?
Some dogs may do better with a water fountain. Fountains offer fresh, moving liquid and keep pets constantly supplied with crisp, clean hydration. For some pets, fountains may be a way to prevent playing or spilling. However, for others, this may encourage the behavior. Some fountains are built to be interactive, which is also a great option. Owners may want to consider water bottles, fountains, and automatic dispensers. Dog water bottles are perfect for on-the-go, daily walks, traveling, and sometimes, to help control the mess.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle is a dedicated researcher and dog owner with over thirty years of pet care experience. She has a special bond with rescue pets and has welcomed over a dozen to her home. These include pets with special medical and behavioral needs. Danielle has had her fair share of picky eaters and messy drinkers. As part of the Canine Journal research team, she works alongside a talented group to provide dog parents with the most helpful and accurate information to better their pets’ lives.
