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Introduction
Last summer, I dragged my 2-year-old lab mix, Leo, on a 5-mile hike in the local state park. It was 85 degrees out, and halfway through, he started panting so hard his whole body was shaking. I grabbed my water bottle, realized I’d forgotten his bowl, and tried to cup water in my hand for him. He lapped it up in two seconds, and half of it spilled down my shirt before he even got to it. (Yes, I looked like an idiot, standing in the middle of the trail with a wet shirt and a very thirsty dog.) After that disaster, I went online looking for solutions, and stumbled on a MalsiPree dog water bottle review that made me think this might be the fix I needed. I’d tried folding silicone bowls before, but I always forgot to pack them, or they’d get covered in dirt after a few uses and I had nowhere clean to put them. I was tired of the hassle, so I ordered the 19 oz version on a whim, hoping it would work as well as the review said it would.
What Is the MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle? Beyond the Basic MalsiPree dog water bottle review
If you haven’t heard of it before, the MalsiPree Portable Dog Water Bottle is basically a 2-in-1 water bottle and bowl for your pup, designed to make hydration on the go way easier. It’s marketed as a must-have for walks, hikes, travel, basically any time you’re out and about with your dog—no more hauling separate bottles and bowls around.
It comes in two sizes, so you can pick what fits your pet. I got the 19 oz one for Leo, since he’s a pretty big lab that goes through water fast, but they have a smaller option for tiny dogs or cats too. The whole thing weighs less than 6 ounces empty, which is way lighter than I expected— I thought a 2-in-1 bottle would be bulky, but it’s actually slim enough to fit in the side pocket of my backpack.
The big selling points? It’s got one-hand operation, so you don’t need to fumble with multiple things while you’re holding your dog’s leash. It’s got a leak-proof lock to keep your bag dry. It’s made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic, so it’s safe for your pup to drink out of. And the best part? You don’t waste any water— any leftover water in the bowl can just pour right back into the bottle, instead of dumping it on the ground. I initially thought that last part was a gimmick, but it turns out it’s actually a game-changer.
My Experience Using It on Walks and Hikes
I got the bottle a few days later, and I was excited to test it out on our next hike. The first time I used it, I made a dumb mistake, honestly. I filled it up with cold water from the fridge, tossed it in my backpack, and headed out the door in a hurry, skipping the instructions like an idiot. Halfway to the trailhead, I reached in to grab my keys, and my hand came out soaking wet.
Turns out, the lock button that’s supposed to keep it from leaking? I hadn’t pushed it all the way in. I just tapped it lightly, thinking that was enough to lock it. (Of course, the instructions said you had to push it until it clicked, but I was too excited to read them. Classic move for me.) I had a little puddle in the bottom of my backpack, but it wasn’t too bad, just a little annoying.
Once I got to the trail, I slowed down and actually figured out how to use the thing properly. I was holding Leo’s leash in one hand, and with the other, I unlocked the button, pushed the dispenser, and tilted the bottle. Water flowed right into the built-in bowl on the top, no mess, no fuss. I didn’t have to let go of the leash, I didn’t have to tie Leo to a tree, I didn’t have to drop anything. It was all one hand, just like the box said.
Leo lapped up the water like he’d been lost in the desert for a week, and when he was done, I tilted the bottle back up, and the leftover water flowed right back into the main compartment. I couldn’t believe it— no wasted water, no dumping half a cup of water on the ground because he didn’t finish it. That’s huge for hikes, where water is such a precious thing, you don’t want to waste a drop.
After that, I made sure to lock the button all the way every time. I’ve used it on a dozen hikes and walks since then, and it hasn’t leaked once. I’ve thrown it in my backpack, bounced it around on rocky trails, even tossed it in the backseat of my car, and it stays totally dry. The lightweight design means I barely notice it in my bag, even when it’s full of water. I even drank out of it once when I ran out of my own water, and it was totally fine— no weird plastic taste, just cold water, which was perfect.
What I Like and What I Don’t Like
After a few weeks of using this thing nonstop, I’ve got a pretty solid list of the good and the bad:
The Good
- One-hand operation that actually works: I can’t stress this enough. Before this, I had to fumble with my leash, a water bottle, and a folding bowl every time Leo needed a drink. Now, I can do everything with one hand, while I keep a hold of his leash the whole time. It’s so much safer, especially on busy trails where I don’t want to let go of him.
- No wasted water: That leftover water pouring back into the bottle? It’s not a gimmick, it’s the best feature. I used to dump so much water on the ground because Leo would only drink half of what I poured, but now none of it goes to waste. It’s perfect for long hikes where you don’t want to run out of water early.
- Truly leak-proof (once you learn the lock): Once I figured out how to push the lock button until it clicks, this thing doesn’t leak at all. I’ve tested it so many times, and it stays totally dry. No more wet backpacks, no more mess.
- Lightweight and compact: It weighs less than 6 ounces empty, which is nothing. It fits in the side pocket of my backpack, and I barely notice it’s there. Before, I was carrying a separate bowl and a bigger bottle, and this cut down on so much extra weight.
- Safe, food-grade materials: It’s BPA-free, no weird plastic smell, no weird taste. I feel totally good about Leo drinking out of it, and even drinking out of it myself when I need to. That’s a huge relief after the cheap plastic bottle I bought before that smelled like chemicals for a week.
The Bad
- The lock button is confusing at first: Like I said, the first time I used it, I had no clue how to work the lock, and I spilled water all over my bag. The instructions are there, but if you’re in a hurry and skip them, you’re gonna have a bad time. It’s not a big deal once you learn it, but it’s a little frustrating at first.
- Only one color option: The whole thing is that bright blue color. It’s fine, but I wish there were more options, like black or gray, for people who don’t want a super bright bottle that stands out so much. (I’m a little picky about my hiking gear matching, don’t judge me.)
- The 19 oz size is too small for really long hikes: If I’m doing a 10+ mile hike, the 19 oz size isn’t enough for Leo. I still have to bring extra water for him, which is a little annoying. It’s perfect for short to medium hikes and walks, but long distance? It’s not enough.
Is It Worth $23?
At the end of the day, this bottle costs $23, which is a little more than the cheap folding bowls you can get for $5. But is it worth it? For me, absolutely, but it depends on what you need it for.
Who This Is Perfect For
- People who hike or walk their dog regularly: If you’re like me, and you take your dog out on trails or long walks a few times a week, this is 100% worth the money. It solves so many little problems, it cuts down on the gear you have to carry, and it makes the whole experience way less stressful.
- People who travel with their dog: If you drive or fly with your dog a lot, this is a must-have. It’s compact, it fits in your carry-on, and you don’t have to worry about finding a bowl for your dog at the airport or rest stops. It’s one less thing to pack, which is huge when you’re traveling with a pet.
- People who are forgetful (like me): If you’re always forgetting your dog’s bowl, or you hate carrying extra gear, this is perfect. It’s all in one, so you can’t forget the bowl, because it’s attached to the bottle. No more panicking halfway through a hike because you left the bowl at home.
Who This Isn’t Worth It For
- People who only walk their dog in the backyard: If you never leave your property with your dog, you don’t need this. You can just use a regular bowl from your kitchen, it’s way cheaper, and you don’t need the portable features.
- People who do multi-day backpacking trips: If you’re going out for multiple days, the 19 oz size is way too small. You need a bigger water reservoir for your dog, so this isn’t going to work for you.
- People who already have a system that works: If you never forget your bowl, you don’t mind carrying separate gear, and you don’t waste water, then this is probably not worth it for you. It’s a convenience item, so if you don’t need the convenience, you can save your money.
Common Questions
I’ve gotten so many questions from my friends about this bottle, so I wanted to answer the most common ones here:
Q: Is this bottle really leak-proof?
A: Once you get the hang of the lock button, yes! I’ve had it in my backpack for hours, shaken it around, even tossed it in the back of my car, and it hasn’t leaked a single drop since I figured out how to push the lock all the way in. The first spill was 100% my mistake for not reading the instructions, not the bottle’s fault.
Q: Can I use this for smaller pets, like cats?
A: Absolutely! It comes in two sizes, so the smaller one is perfect for cats or tiny dogs. My friend has a cat that she takes on walks with a harness, and she borrowed my bottle once, and it worked perfectly. The built-in bowl is small enough that a cat can drink out of it easily, and you can control how much water comes out, so you don’t pour too much.
Q: Is the plastic safe for my dog?
A: Yep! It’s made from BPA-free, food-grade plastic, so it’s totally safe for your pet. I was worried about that at first, because I’ve had cheap plastic bottles that had a weird chemical smell, but this one had no smell at all right out of the box. I’ve even drunk out of it myself a few times, and it was totally fine.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this little bottle has become my favorite dog gear item, hands down. I used to stress so much every time we left the house, worried that I’d forgotten Leo’s bowl, or that I’d waste water, or that I’d have to fumble with a million different things while I was holding his leash. Now, I just grab this bottle, and I’m good to go.
It’s not perfect— the lock button is a little confusing at first, and I wish there were more color options, and it’s too small for really long hikes. But for $23, it’s solved so many of my little problems, and it’s made every walk and hike with Leo way more enjoyable.
If you’re thinking of grabbing one for yourself, you can check it out here: [MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle] (affiliate link)
Have you ever had that disaster hike where you forgot your dog’s water bowl, or spilled water all over yourself trying to give them a drink? Drop a comment below, let me know I’m not the only klutz out there who’s been there.
A Quick Disclaimer
I’m not a vet or professional trainer. Just my personal experience.