FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for dogs

Green residue is usually algae, which grow in water standing in light. Place the fountain away from sunlight and clean it more often, and an opaque body helps prevent it.

A general guideline is about 50–60 ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day, but the need depends on heat, exercise and diet. A dog on wet food drinks less, as it gets a fair amount of fluid from its food.

Try changing the water more often, washing the bowl, putting bowls in several places or trying a fountain. If the dog has suddenly almost stopped drinking or seems lethargic, contact a vet.

Increased thirst in hot weather or after an active walk is normal. If the dog drinks and urinates noticeably more for a longer time with no clear reason, it can be a sign of illness, so it is worth seeing a vet.

Yes, an adult dog should have clean water around the clock. Only with puppies being house-trained do some owners reduce water a little in the evening, but do not do this in hot weather and do not restrict water for an ill dog without veterinary advice.

Dogs are often drawn to cooler or fresher water, while water standing in a bowl can be warm or smell unpleasant. Change the water more often, wash the bowl and keep the toilet lid shut, as it may contain cleaning products.

In a small flat one is often enough, but in large or multi-storey homes it is handy to have a bowl on each floor or in different rooms. That way the dog, especially an older one, reaches water more easily.

Yes, a few ice cubes help keep the water cool for longer and many dogs enjoy licking them. The main thing is that the dog has enough water and shade, and if it shows signs of overheating, contact a vet.

For travel, collapsible silicone or fabric bowls are most practical, as they take up little space and clip onto a backpack. In the car, bowls with inward-curving edges or a floating lid splash less.

A bottle with a fold-out bowl or trough lets you pour as much water as the dog drinks and return the rest. It is handy on long walks, hikes and trips, especially in summer.

In warm weather a dog needs frequent small drinks, so take more than you think you will need, especially if there is no clean water along the way. Offer water every few tens of minutes and at breaks.

Yes, collapsible bowls made of food-grade silicone work for both food and water. They are easy to wash, but on a trip it is worth having two so you do not use the same one for food and water.

For the car there are bowls with inward-curving edges or a floating plate that only lets the dog drink through a central opening. They reduce spills when braking and cornering, though they do not prevent them completely.

A bowl that screws onto the crate bars cannot tip over and does not take up floor space, so it is handy on long trips or when the dog is crated. For air travel, airlines often require exactly this kind of door-mounted bowl.

On a trip, feed your dog its usual food to avoid digestive upsets, and do not give a big meal just before setting off. Take a collapsible bowl and pre-pack portions into separate bags or containers.

Yes, an airtight container protects the food from moisture, smells and insects, and stops it spilling in the car. Some travel containers have a lid that doubles as a bowl.

Stagnant or blooming water can contain parasites or dangerous blue-green algae, so it is better to take your own water and a portable bowl. If the water is greenish, foamy or smelly, do not let the dog drink or swim in it.

Dogs tip bowls out of boredom, as play, to get attention or when the bowl is empty. A heavier or non-slip bowl, a stand or a wide-based bowl helps, as does more activity and exercise.

Choose a bowl with a rubber base or put it on a non-slip mat. Heavy ceramic bowls move less, and for large dogs a stand that holds the bowl in place also works.

A mat under the bowls catches splashed water and food crumbs, so the floor stays cleaner and drier. Choose a non-slip, easy-to-wash mat with raised edges.