Dog backpack and water storage on hikes

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on carrying water during short hikes with my dog, Paddy.

Paddy is a pug and has hip dysplasia, so I need to carefully limit how much exercise he does. I still like taking him with me on shorter hikes, usually up to around 5 hours, across mixed terrain. To manage this I use a Ruffwear dog backpack carrier and I can carry him for intervals when he needs a break.

The issue I’m trying to solve is water storage. Currently, I take a water bottle and put it in the backpack while Paddy is walking, then carry it by hand when he’s in the carrier. It works, but it’s a bit inconvenient, and I’d much rather be hands-free.

I’ve looked at hydration bladders, but Paddy fits quite snugly in the carrier, so there isn’t enough spare room inside the backpack for anything else.

Has anyone found a good solution for this

I’m based in the UK, so UK-available options would be ideal, though I’m open to general setup ideas too.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.