Best Dog Muzzle that Allows for Drinking, Eating, and Panting

Muzzles are used on dogs for a variety of reasons and when you choose a quality muzzle that fits your animal well, it is a humane way to cut down on unwanted behaviors or use it as a training tool. Whatever reason you may have to get a muzzle for your dog, it is imperative that you choose the best dog muzzle that allows for drinking, eating, and panting. The most common reason why people use muzzles on their dogs is to curb excessive barking or to work on an issue with biting.

Say for example your dog tends to nip at children. A muzzle for when there are kids around will protect the children and keep your dog from getting into trouble. A good muzzle can be worn by your dog for long periods of time, so if your dog tends to bark their little head off while you are at work, this is a humane and effective solution to prevent issues with your neighbours. 

A muzzle can also protect your dog from its own curiosity. Some dogs have issues with eating things they shouldn’t; whether that be something from the garbage can or a potential choke hazard.

Additionally, many dog trainers recommend the use of a muzzle when training your dog. This can make it easier to help them learn commands without excessive barking getting in the way and the right muzzle will still allow them to breathe naturally, pant from exertion, and eat and drink like normal.

Dog muzzle on german shepherd

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Best Humane Muzzle Options

There are tons of different types of muzzles on the market that have different degrees of comfort and effectiveness. Naturally, we want to find a muzzle that is humane, comfortable, and also effective for the job it is to perform. We have done the research and narrowed down the options to our top five picks for the best dog muzzle that allows for drinking, eating, and panting. 

1. Barkless Basket Dog Muzzle

Barkless is a trusted, reputable, and popular brand that makes a range of different muzzles for dogs. Their products have an emphasis on safety and comfort for our four-legged best friends, while still providing a product that does what it needs to do. 

Their soft silicone basket muzzle is an effective, safe, and humane way to help curb issues with biting, chewing, excessive barking, or for use in training. The muzzle comes in six different sizes so you can find the perfect snout fit for your unique dog.

The basket-style muzzle will keep your dog from chewing, nipping, barking, or getting into things they shouldn’t, while still allowing for natural breathing and panting. The dog can still eat and drink while wearing the muzzle, so it is safe for them to wear for longer periods of time. It will stop your dog from engaging in problem behaviors but won’t distress them or hurt them.

2. Barkless Comfort Secure Leather Dog Muzzle

Since Barkless is such a trusted maker of high-quality dog muzzles, another one of their models made it onto our top five list. Their Comfort Secure leather muzzles are a nice alternative to a basket muzzle, but are still effective, safe, and comfortable.

This muzzle comes in a range of sizes and four different color choices. It is made from high-quality leather that is both durable and soft. It is adjustable, so you can get the perfect fit for your dog; making the muzzle even more comfortable and effective.

The Comfort Secure muzzle attaches to a collar and allows the dog to pant, eat, and drink, but still prevents biting and excessive barking. This type of muzzle is only recommended for use in dog breeds with longer snouts. If your dog has a snub snout, you do not want to use this kind of muzzle on them and, in that case, a basket muzzle will be a better option. 

3. Crazy Felix Nylon Dog Muzzle

Crazy Felix is a new, up-and-coming brand that makes a range of products for our four-legged family members. Their product line emphasizes combining value and quality into durable, long-lasting products that do what they need to do. Their nylon dog muzzle is a humane, comfortable, and effective way to keep a dog from biting, chewing, licking, or barking excessively.

Their muzzle is available in multiple sizes and three color choices. It is made from reinforced nylon stitching and breathable mesh with extra padding to keep your dog comfortable, even if they need to wear the muzzle for extended periods of time.

This muzzle is ideal for dogs with long snouts and isn’t suitable for dogs with short muzzles like pit bulls. The muzzle is adjustable so you can get a perfect fit. It is secure and will keep your dog from biting, but will still allow the dog to breathe, pant, and yawn.

4. Fertgo Silicone Basket Dog Muzzle

Fertgo is a reputable and long-standing company that makes a wide range of products for domestic animals both large and small. Their varied product line ranges from fly masks for horses to basket-style muzzles for dogs. Their silicone basket muzzle is an effective, safe, and affordable way to help curb problem behaviors or to use in training.

This muzzle comes in six different sizes and three different color options, so you can easily find a muzzle that properly fits your dog. It is made from soft yet durable silicone, so the muzzle is made to stand the test of time while also being comfortable for your dog.

The basket design allows the dog to breathe, pant, eat, and drink while wearing the muzzle, but still protects against biting, chewing, excessive barking, and eating things it shouldn’t. 

5. KITAINE Soft Rubber Dog Muzzle

KITAINE is a popular maker of a range of products designed for our fur babies, both dogs and cats. Their product line ranges widely, from feeding mats for dogs and cats to muzzles for corrective or preventive purposes.

Their rubber basket muzzle is a solid, durable, effective, and safe way to prevent your dog from biting, eating things they aren’t supposed to, or barking excessively. It is also a great option to use in training. The muzzle comes in five different sizes and is adjustable so you can get the perfect fit.

The muzzle is made from a soft, yet resilient, rubber and has a reinforced nylon strap for added security. The basket style of the muzzle still allows for natural breathing, and panting, and allows the dog to eat and drink while wearing it. This means it can be comfortably worn for extended periods of time.

It also features a soft-padded nylon belt that makes it easy to put the muzzle on and take it off quickly.

Dog Muzzle Buyer’s Guide

When choosing a muzzle for your dog you want to first determine why the dog needs to wear the muzzle as this will help determine what kind will work best for your needs. Whether your dog is an excessive barker or they have an issue with nipping at children; your needs may differ. Many muzzles are general, all-purpose muzzles and will work well for most common issues.

You will want to make sure that you choose a muzzle that fits your dog well. The muzzle should be snug, but not too tight or constricting. You want it to keep the dog from barking or biting, but not from being able to breathe, eat, or drink. A muzzle that is too large will be ineffective and may be easy for your dog to remove.

Basket muzzles tend to be preferred by experts, whether for behavioral control or training purposes. They are solid muzzles that provide the protection needed to keep the dog from biting or barking, but also still allow for natural breathing and panting. Basket muzzles, due to their shape and design, also make it easy for your dog to drink water or eat while wearing them. This is great for training as you can still give your dog a treat when they successfully heed a command.

In Closing

There are a variety of reasons that you may need a muzzle for your dog. Perhaps they have an issue with nipping or biting. Maybe they have separation anxiety and bark incessantly while you are at work. Or, perhaps, you want to use a muzzle as a training tool. A quality, the well-designed muzzle will not only be effective at preventing trouble behaviors like biting, chewing, licking, and excessive barking, it will do so in a humane way.

Basket-style muzzles are the most commonly recommended type of muzzle as they are safe, effective, and comfortable for most dogs. With this type of muzzle, your dog will still be able to breathe and pant naturally, and can even eat and drink. These features make it effective and safe to use for extended periods of time, such as for the duration of your workday away from home.

When looking for the best dog muzzle which allows for eating, drinking, and panting, any of the models we reviewed here are great choices. They provide a comfortable, yet safe and effective way to curb or prevent unwanted behavioral issues and will help keep both your dog and others safe. A humane and conscious design will provide effective protection but not constrict the dog or stress them out.

stuart and his dog

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.