The 10 Best Heated Dog Bowls
This wiki has been updated 29 times since it was first published in December of 2015. If you live in a frigid climate but have a four-legged friend who loves to spend his time outdoors, even after the snowfall, you need to make sure his water doesn't freeze over so he can always stay hydrated. We rounded up a few different styles of heated pet bowls that are designed to be safe for animals and will keep their H2O at the perfect temperature all year long. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
October 15, 2020:
True to what our last editor noted, this is a category that doesn't move very fast and has few players, which is why you'll see some of the same companies popping up over and over again. That being said, we were able to find two new items to round this list out to an even ten. We kept all previous selections, as they continue to perform well and offer a distinction of features to separate them from the rest.
We especially like the Allied 5-Quart for its removable, dishwasher-safe insert, the Petfactors 1-Gallon for its smart shape that makes it easy for multiple pets to use it at the same time, and the K&H Thermo Kitty for its dual-bowl design that's great for cats or small dogs. Also, if you're looking for more gear to keep your kitty warm during the chilly months, we have a selection of heated cat houses as well.
You'll notice the Farm Innovators Model D-19 joining the ranks today, as well as the Farm Innovators Bucket. Each of these options can serve more than one type of animal, and as many households may have chickens, cats, ducks, rabbits, pigeons, and horses in addition to a few dogs roaming around, we felt it was smart to have a couple of selections on deck that could suit them. The D-19 has a bright cherry red color that would be hard to miss, and a square shape that won't tip over. It does its intended job very well and manages to keep even the corners from freezing, although they can be hard to clean when they get grungy. The high walls can also act as a perch for birds.
The Farm Innovators Bucket is replete with handy features, like a hideaway compartment for the cord and flat back for hanging, both of which help for storage, as well as a heavy-duty handle with reinforced connectors so you don't have to worry about any frustrating accidents while you cart this thing around. It's available in a handful of capacities, and like many of the models from this company, it sports a heavy-duty "anti-chew" cord protector to keep it in working condition.
October 24, 2019:
While we think heated bowls for dogs are not only a great, but necessary, product for anyone who lives in a cold climate, there is a noticeable lack of options available in the market. We are hoping this will change over time, but in the meanwhile, we have still narrowed it down to the best models.
Due to the lack of innovation and new heated bowls being released, we only felt the need to replace a single model on our list — the Namsan Outdoor. While there is nothing inherently wrong with it, it is essentially the exact same product as the Petfactors 2.2-Liter, just in a less eye-catching design, so we didn't see any reason to include both. That being said, we did add the Petfactors 1-Gallon because, though not being available in as many designs as its smaller counterpart, it does have a smarter design with a power switch placed in a less conspicuous place.
Keeping a high ranking this year is the K&H Thermo Kitty, which is the only reliable model we found that has space for both food and water. While it may not be ideal for large breeds, it is more than suitable for most small and medium-sized dogs. We are also big fans of the Farm Innovators SB-40, which has a removable steel insert that makes for easy cleaning and a charming bone-shaped cutout for the cord. Plus, its three-quart size is the perfect middle ground for dogs small and large.
While we don't recommend leaving your four-legged family members outside for very long periods in very cold weather, if you do, you may want to also get a pet bed warmer to ensure they stay nice and toasty.
October 15, 2018:
The K&H Thermo Kitty earned a top spot for being one of the only high-quality double bowl options available on the market. We also added the Petfactors 76-ounce to the list because not only does it have a low price, but it is one of the few options that can brighten up the space where you place it.
Special Honors
Kane Heated Dog Waterer If you're looking to keep multiple large breeds hydrated, this option from Kane is a solid, albeit slightly pricey, choice. This bright red model has an automatic, electric 110V thermostat that controls water temperature so it never freezes over. It's been tested to withstand -30 degrees windchill, is easy to fill and clean, comes with self-mounting brackets, and has a 5-gallon capacity. kanemfg.com