Spill-Proof Dog Water - Easy and Inexpensive! PLUS MORE HIDDEN STORAGE

 I love traveling with my dogs! I really miss them while they are not with me - that's one reason we bring our own guestroom with us! I'm sure you feel the same about yours. However, one thing I don't enjoy is stepping in their food or turning over their water bowl.

I came up with a foolproof way to fix this problem

There are a lot of water bowls that say they are no-spill.  Here is one of them:

However, the dog spilling it wasn't the problem! Me kicking it was the problem! 

This is an easy way to make a water bowl that you can't spill, even when you kick it.

Update: I now have two ways to do this. I came up with a simpler way like this

The tutorial is here

Read on for the original way I did it which uses the handle and a tube strap. 

What you will need is a simple plastic pitcher, the kind with the handle that only attaches on one end. If you have small dogs and are going to have to cut it down to size, make sure you get a flexible plastic pitcher that can be cut, not the hard clear kind that is brittle. I got mine at Walmart for less than $1.

Make sure the handle is not attached on both ends.

The other thing you need is a very inexpensive item called a 'tube strap'. It is in any plumbing department. You will need to get one that the handle of the pitcher will fit in after you screw it to a wall. You probably should bring your pitcher shopping with you :) I can't tell you exactly what size, because it depends which pitcher you get. 

You will also need a tube strap. Tube straps come in copper, stainless steel, galvanized steel, or plastic. It doesn't matter which one you use.  Just make sure the handle of your pitcher can fit in it when it is against a wall.

Screw the tube strap to the wall where you want your dog's water. If you are going around a corner like I did, you can straighten out one side of the bracket.  Slip the handle of the pitcher into the strap - and that's it! A no-spill water container!

If you have small dogs, carefully mark and cut the side opposite the handle with scissors or a razor knife to the size that they can drink from.

The higher side will keep splashing from hitting the wall.

if your dog is really sloppy (like mine is) one of those micro-fiber dishmats is great under their water bowl.

 

This is another example of finding hidden storage. The food is in a box I added to my camper - there was a small area under the refrigerator that was just a blank spot. I figured there had to be some storage hiding there - well - sort of - the area had pipes and wires running through it.

I measured all the things I had to go around and made this box:

I slid the box into the space and made the dogs' feeding area. Now I don't step in their water OR their food! Life is good!

Update: I now have two ways to do this. I came up with a simpler way like this

The tutorial is here

There are actually some store-bought dog bowls that I really like - 

I keep one of these in my truck, one in the camper, one in my backpack - they are great! I also use them for food bowls when we are visiting friends.

And this is a great water supply while hiking - it even has a filter!

Now go play outside!