If you own a dog who makes a big mess whenever they drink then you’re certainly not alone. In fact, messy drinking is a habit that many dogs have, and while some degree of mess while drinking is to be expected from many dog breeds, there are a variety of products that can help to avoid these various splashes and spills from occurring in the first place.
In this guide, we’re going to show you some of the best water bowls for sloppy drinkers, along with a few alternative solutions such as feeding mats and elevated feeders. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best solutions for dealing with a messy drinker.
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Last update on 2023-05-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why Are Dogs Messy Drinkers?
It’s safe to say that the way dogs drink is incredibly different from the way a human does. Of course, while a person can use their hands to cup water (or indeed, hold a glass), a dog relies on their tongue and jaw movements drink to water.
Interestingly, a dog’s drinking technique actually relies on using their tongue to smash against the water, which causes mini splashes to occur (and these splashes also end up all over the floor).
But as your dog draws their tongue up from the bowl, the water follows upwards due to the disturbance caused by their tongue, and their mouth simply closes around these small chunks of water. So they’re technically not scooping the water but instead using a rather unique and fascinating technique
No Mess Dog Water Bowls
One of the best ways to keep the messy drinking at bay is to invest in a no-mess water dog bowl that’s specifically designed to prevent those splashes and spills. Keeping this in mind, here are a few bowls that should make a real difference.
Last update on 2023-05-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s a bowl that’s great for use while you’re traveling, but it can equally be used as a regular bowl in the home as well. Importantly, the design means that it’s ideal for a messy drinker and it does a great job of preventing the various splashes and spills that can occur when you’re dog drinks, and the vast majority of dog owners find that it works very well in this regard.
It works with the use of a plate that restricts the flow of water, so there’s always enough for your dog to drink, but there isn’t enough water available for your dog to cause many splashes and spills. This restriction feature also makes it practical for travel use as it won’t splash around too much when you’re busy driving.
The dimensions measure in at 9.5″ in diameter along with 4″ of height, and it’ll comfortably hold up to 54 fluid oz, which should be adequate for most dog breeds. It’s also very easy to clean and dismantle, making it a very practical purchase altogether. Furthermore, you can clean the bowl in the dishwasher without any worries thanks to its durable and heat resistant polypropylene construction.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s an interesting self-filling bowl that also manages to minimize the splash and spills thanks to the use of a low water level design that should prevent too much water from escaping while your dog drinks. It’s also a very stable bowl, so it won’t slide around the floor or tip over very easily, which is great news for some of those bigger breeds that tend to push their bowl across the floor with great ease.
The water storage system can hold a respectable 2 liters (or a half gallon) of water, and it’ll automatically refill itself while maintaining a low quantity of available water, which means it’s a good choice for keeping the spills at bay while still providing your dog with plenty of fresh water to drink.
You can expect the bowl to last for quite some time due to the quality construction, and it’s useful for travel purposes, as it gives you a convenient locking feature to keep the water secure and locked away when you’re on the move.
Last update on 2023-05-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Buddy Bowl from Ray Allen is another bowl that helps to prevent spills, and it also functions as an excellent travel bowl, not least because of its generous 64 oz water capacity.
It comes with a simple and straightforward design that goes a long way towards preventing any spills or tipping of the bowl, and it also helps to reduce any evaporation in warm environments, along with protecting it from dust and dust. Many buyers are pleased with the sturdiness and steadiness of this bowl, especially with owners who struggle to stop their dog from tipping the entire thing over!
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s another bowl that works very well as a travel option, as well as giving you the key features you need whenever you’re shopping for a bowl that won’t spill or splash all too easily.
It comes with an outer diameter of 8.25″ and a depth of 2.25″, which allows it to hold around 48 oz of water at any given time. But the best thing about this bowl is the rim design which encourages your dog to drink from the center of the bowl, while the grey rim catches any drips and splashes that may occur.
Overall, the bowl takes advantage of a simple and straightforward design that gets the job done at an affordable price, and it certainly catches more spills than a standard dog bowl.
Last update on 2023-05-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s a ‘less mess’ dog bowl that can be used for either water or food, and it’s also versatile enough to accommodate most dog breeds of any size. The bowl uses a floating disk that functions as an anti-gulping device, which is certainly very useful for any dog who has a tendency to drink too fast and perhaps bring the water up again shortly afterward.
The floating device restricts the available water surface and forces your dog to drink from the center, and this ensures that any spills are caught by the bowl. What’s more, it also helps to prevent too much water from being open and exposed to dust and bacteria, which is particularly important if your dog’s drinking outside. It’s also nice to know that the bowl not only comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, but it also comes with a 1-year free replacement warranty as well.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Neater Feeder Express is another option you may wish to consider if you’re looking to give your dog a fairly standard dog bowl design that’s combined with an effective splash guard that’ll prevent both food and water from splashing around your floors.
It comes in two different size options, with one catering to small breeds and the other better suited for medium to large breeds, and these size choices mean that you should be able to select one for practically any breed without any worry.
One of the nice features of this feeder is the second layer beneath the two stainless steel bowls, which will collect any stray water and food underneath, and this makes it very easy to clean up afterward. Furthermore, it’s safe to place all parts of the feeder in the dishwasher for unrivaled convenience.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s another option from the Neater Feeder product line, but this one is the ‘Deluxe’ model which receives a great deal of praise from practically any dog owner who’s tried it. The design comes in three different sizes, either small, medium, or large, and it’s also available in a few different color choices as well.
Of course, the feeder’s design principles are largely the same, and it comes with two bowls and a splash guard on the top, which is combined with a second layer that effectively catches any stray food or water splashes and funnels them to the same place, making the cleanup operation very quick and easy.
Mats And Trays
If you would prefer to keep using the same bowl for your dog, then you may want to invest in a simple mat or tray product that can mop up the splashes and keep the environment dry.
While you could use old towels to perform a similar job, these absorbent mats and trays are undoubtedly very effective choices that you may want to consider.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s a fantastic doggy slopmat that does a wonderful job of absorbing any stray water that escapes from the bowl while your dog is drinking. In fact, the design promises to be around 5 times more absorbent than a standard cotton placemat, and you’ll certainly notice the difference in no time at all, especially if you have a particularly messy drinker on your hands.
It relies on a microfiber chenille fabric that won’t let you down in terms of absorption ability, and it’s also soft and comfortable enough to not bother your dog either, so they’ll be no chance of your dog tracking wet food and water around your home after dinner time. Another great feature of this mat is how quickly it dries, and it manages to stay remarkably free of odor as well, although it will still benefit from the occasional wash here and there.
Last update on 2023-06-04 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
One of the most popular and best-reviewed spill mats is this option from Loving Pets, and it’s available in either small or large sizes to suit most kinds of dogs. As you can see, it comes with a cute bone-shaped design that’s very practical for catching splashes and spills in all directions, and it also has a raised lip which further helps to retain any mess that builds up as your dog eats and drinks.
Furthermore, the mat benefits from an important skid-resistant bottom that works very well at keeping the mat still while your dog using the bowls for drinking and eating. It’s also very easy to clean up afterward, too.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Using a raised feeder is often a great idea if your dog struggles to comfortably eat off the floor, and this feeding tray also does an excellent job of keeping water and food in one place. The design is made entirely from plastic, and it’s safe to use in the dishwasher for added convenience, too.
When it comes to the dimensions, the item measures in at 21″ by 11″ by 8.5″, and this means it will comfortably hold two 8.5″-inch bowls without any trouble at all. Overall, most buyers seem to be happy with the performance that this elevated feeder tray offers, especially for the very reasonable price.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The DogBuddy food mat is another effective and very affordable option that serves as a useful base for your dog’s food and water bowls. It comes in two sizes, either small or large, and there are also several different colors to choose from as well. Most importantly, it’s very stable thanks to the ‘anti-skid’ surface that keeps the mat rooted to the floor and prevents the bowls from sliding around.
The mat is constructed of a silicone material that’s safe for your dog to use, as it’s free of any unwanted additives such as BPAs, PVCs, or Phthalate. Ultimately, this matt is a simple, reliable, and affordable option that’ll work well for its intended task, and there’s even a generous money-back guarantee to give you further peace of mind.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s another similar feeding mat that’s made from a food-grade silicone material that ensures your dog’s bowls won’t slip and slide around the floor when they’re eating or drinking.
It’s worth noting that these mats feature a raised outer edge which goes some way towards keeping spilled water contained in one place, and the mat is also soft and flexible, as well as being highly durable over the long haul, so you should be able to get plenty of use out of it.
Importantly, there are no open pores in the mat, so there’s nowhere for bacteria or odor to accumulate, and it’s also highly resistant to stains. It’s available in two different sizes, either large or extra-large, and there’s a number of alternative colors to choose from as well.
Last update on 2023-06-04 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These mats from Humble Pet are another excellent choice if you want a reliable mat to keep your dog’s drinking and eating area clean, and it features raised edges which certainly make it more effective.
The quality of the mat is very good indeed, and it uses a reliable silicone construction that’s non-toxic, non-allergenic, and also very resistant to stains. Additionally, it comes with raised bumps that further prevent any slipping and sliding that can occur when your dog is busy eating or drinking.
It’s a very slim and streamlined design, so your dog is unlikely to push the mat around by itself either. When it comes to the buyer reviews, it has a very high average score from the majority of reviewers, and it’s clear to see that most dog owners are thrilled with the quality that’s on offer here.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s a bone-shaped pet food mat that comes with a raised edging that works well for containing any splashes and spills, and it’s also stable enough to not slide around the floor all too easily.
The non-slip silicone is certainly effective for preventing movement, but it will also work well to keep the bowls stable when your dog is drinking – and the product also comes with a 100% money-back guarantee – which protects you in the case that you’re not happy with the performance that it offers.
Of course, the silicone construction makes it very easy to clean, so there’s no harm in placing it in the dishwasher – but you could easily clean it with just a simple wipe over with a damp cloth as well.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here’s another useful bowl tray that comes with a raised splash guard that does a fantastic job of catching any water that splashes from your dog’s water bowl, as well as preventing any stray kibbles from escaping as well.
It comes with decent measurements that should give you enough space to hold both of your dog’s bowls, and its all-plastic construction makes it very easy to clean, as well as ensuring that it’s safe to use in the dishwasher. Furthermore, there are raised circular edges that are useful for keeping the bowls in one place, and these can accommodate bowls that measure 8.5″ inches without any trouble.
