So, you’re considering a dog water fountain? It’s not a bad idea. Providing your dog with fresh, clean drinking water is essential, particularly in the summer months.

You wouldn’t want to drink a cup of water that’s been sitting out, gathering dust for a few days. Neither does your dog.

Now that you’ve decided to invest in a dog water fountain, it’s time to consider your options

The Drinking Bowl vs. The Dog Water Fountain

Dog drinking water at the fountain

Image by jacky73490 from Pixabay

Have you been wondering why your dog prefers drinking from the toilet instead of the bowl you provide him? Well, there’s actually a scientific reason.

Studies have shown that dogs, and animals in general, prefer drinking out of running water sources than stagnant. This trait is carried over from their ancestors who knew that stagnant water, like still ponds, were often breeding grounds for deadly bacteria.

An added benefit of moving water is that it becomes oxygenated, so it tastes better and stays cooler. All of a sudden, the toilet looks like a refreshing oasis to your pooch over that stagnant bowl.

Smaller dogs who can’t reach the porcelain option may not be drinking enough water since they dislike bowls and only drink when absolutely necessary.

So what kind of dog water fountain is best for your pooch? Generally, there are two types on the market. The best part is that these are good for your feline friends as well. One water source can supply the whole menagerie.

Either way, you are sure to make the toilet look less appealing.

Reservoir dogs

Automatic water fountains

How Do I Choose the Right Dog Water Fountain?

More recently, there are several new automatic dog water fountains on the market. These automatic fountains do not feature a reservoir.

Instead, an automatic dog drinking fountain is designed to be connected to a water pipe, a tap, or a dog water faucet. These fountains automatically refill themselves consistently using the natural flow of a water base.

The automatic dog water fountain is an ideal drinking option for an outdoor space with many dogs or big drinkers.

How Do I Choose the Right Dog Water Fountain?

dog drinking in water fountain

Photo by Jack Geoghegan from Pexels

Consider the size first. Do you have a big dog or a small one? How many pets will be sharing the same source?

On average, a healthy dog drinks about one half to one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. That means your 50-pound dog can easily go through 50 ounces of water daily. He’ll consume even more if he’s active or on hot days.

You should also consider which type of material to purchase. Each dog water fountain is unique in style and material. You can find fountains made of ceramic, stainless steel, glass, and plastic.

Most importantly, you should consider the filter. Our four-legged friends are particularly sensitive to the chemicals we add to water. Many fountains use replaceable filters to remove any chemicals and improve the water’s natural flavor.

How We Reviewed

Dog is drinking at the dog water fountain

Image by Maguiss from Pixabay

Our pets are our family. So in order to provide you with the best information, we scoured the internet to find the most up-to-date information about each dog water fountain we researched.

We read countless blogs about dogs’ health and their needs. We also read a multitude of best-of lists to find out which models were ranking among users.

But really, we let your money do the talking. We compared the lists of products we found to their Amazon customer reviews. If the consumers weren’t satisfied with a dog water fountain, then we scratched it off our list.

Because your dog deserves only the best.

Finding the Best Dog Water Fountain

​.

After researching all the options and narrowing the list down to our picky standards, we found the nine best fountains on the market today.

The time has come. Let’s find the right dog water fountain for you.

DOGNESS Pet Fountain Cat Water Dispenser Healthy and Hygienic Drinking...
  • New added LED water level window: 2L water capacity is ideal for pets small to Medium sized Pets. You can decide if you...
  • Circulating filtration System: The circulating filtration system uses a replaceable charcoal filter to purify the water,...
  • Ultra Quiet & Low Consumption Pump: Our pet water fountain is very quiet (measured below 40dB) and low consumption, No...

The DOGNESS Pet Fountain comes with a half-gallon water reserve. It boasts an ultra-silent operation and low power consumption, running on a 12-volt system. In theory, you can keep the fountain running all day without worry.

This dog water fountain features a two-stage, replaceable carbon, and nano-filtration system aimed at making water cleaner. The fountain is made from BPA free material, so it’s dishwasher safe as long as you keep it in the top rack

There’s a viewing window that allows you to see the level of water in the reservoir easily. At the same time, the company claims that this dog water fountain is super easy to clean.

Some of the customer critiques of this dog water fountain are that it is not as quiet as claimed to be and that you have to change the filters on this more frequently than advised on their packaging. However, if you’re unsatisfied with this fountain, it comes with a one-year guarantee.

Dog Water Dispenser Pet Fountain - Upgraded 2022 Easy Paw Activated...
  • PRACTICAL - This dog water dispenser is also a toy, it helps you achieve several goals at once: your pet is getting a...
  • EASY TO ASSEMBLE - connect this dog water toy to a hose or faucet and that's it. No special knowledge required. The...
  • SIMPLE TO TEACH YOUR DOG - We included the training manual, so you can teach your dog how to use the toy fast and...

The BringerPet water dispenser is a nifty idea for your pets. It is a step-on system designed for outdoor use. Simply connect the fountain to a faucet or a hose, and it’s ready to go.

The major perk of this system is that you don’t have to refill any reservoir. Once you’ve trained your dogs to use it, this system has the ability to continuously give your pets fresh water, thanks to its self-service paw-button.

This fountain is metal and brass; therefore, it will last longer and withstand the elements.

One major criticism about this fountain is how long it takes for dogs to get used to the product. Some owners find it difficult to guide their pups on how to use this dog water fountain properly. It takes a lot of time and patience.

Also, the customers who bought this product during winter couldn’t use it as of the moment since the water would freeze. It’s best to keep in mind that this is a warm-weather-only fountain.

No products found.

If you’re looking for something more decorative that blends into your home décor, then this might be the dog water fountain for you.

MOSPRO makes this dog water fountain with an electric pump that they claim is incredibly quiet and waterproof. It has a large water tank, about half a gallon, and uses only two watts of power, meaning you won’t have to fill it too often.

This fountain is made of finely polished antibacterial PP resin material, so it’s non-toxic and odorless. It also has three water flow settings, with two separate spouts to control exactly how fast the water flows.

The water is cleaned through a carbon filter. When you order, it comes with two of these filters to get you started.

Most of the negative comments are about faulty pumps, despite the company’s claims. Customers also mentioned that their units cracked or stopped working after a few weeks.

Aurora Cat Water Fountain Porcelain, Pet Water Fountain for Dog and...
  • Safe and durable: Porcelain cat fountain are durable and resistant to scratches. Porcelain is stronger than ceramic.
  • Extremely quiet: the sound of the falling water is whisper-quiet. Aurora cat fountain stays below 40 decibels when it is...
  • Easy to assemble and disassemble: Aurora porcelain pet fountain only takes a few minutes to set up. Disassembling for...

The Aurora dog water fountain contains a dual filtration system which helps to purify the water and protects it from hair, dirt, and debris, all with a nearly silent pump. The reservoir holds half a gallon of water.

Its design makes it easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning purposes. Likewise, because of its soft, porcelain body, it is very easy to clean this fountain. It is also stain and rust proof. Plus, you can throw it in your dishwasher. 

It’s hard to find many critiques about this dog water fountain; though some say complicated to assemble. There were a few other reviews that mentioned the pump isn’t really that quiet.

Veken Pet Fountain, 84oz/2.5L Automatic Cat Water Fountain Dog Water...
  • Ultra-quiet & low consumption pump – The Veken pump is ultra-quiet (measured below 40dB) and low consumption which...
  • 2.5L large capacity –  It has a water capacity of 2.5 liters (84 ounces), which means that it is great for small to...
  • BPA free & quality material – Made of quality PP resin, this automatic water bowl is BPA free, durable, and it’s...

The first thing that stands out about the Veken dog water fountain is that it has a larger reservoir than the others, coming in at two-thirds of a gallon. The pump is ultra-quiet and has low consumption, typically lasting between two and a half to four years.

Made of high-quality resin, this automatic water bowl is BPA free, non-toxic, and durable. The company manufacturer claims it is easy to operate and clean.

This dog water fountain comes with three replacement filters, each composed of a cotton layer, activated carbon, and an ion exchange resin. As a bonus, the manufacturer also includes a silicon mat to ensure it stays in place where you put it.

Many of the customer complaints revolve around the lack of pressure in the fountain is its tendency to break quickly. A few even noted that the manufacturer didn’t stand by their 30-day return policy. Another review pointed out that the water level often drops too quickly with multiple pets for the pump to keep up.

PETKIT TKWTWH Eversweet Smart Pet Fountain Waterer
  • ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY MATERIAL: Eco-friendly, nontoxic, odorless and durable PETKIT cat water dispenser ; 2L/70 ounces...
  • TRIPLE PURIFYING FUNCTION: Filtered with water loop filter, activated Carbon Filter; Ion-Exchange-Resin.
  • Reminders: Water fountain will inform you to refill the water in time to avoid short of water. And also remind you to...

The PETKIT dog water fountain has a unique quadruple purification system -- mesh, water loop pulp filter, activated carbon filter, and ion-exchange-resin.

It’s made with a two-mode technology. Smart mode is energy saving. This setting recognizes day and night and adjusts the water flow accordingly. Normal mode, on the other hand, maintains a steady stream. The manufacturer recommends you switch to this mode when your pet needs more water, like after exercise.

This fountain has a half-gallon reservoir. It has a standard 12-volt output and consumes 2 watts. However, the manufacturer claims this pump is super silent and won’t bother you at night.

A few customers noted that this unit is particularly hard to clean. Another major critique of this dog water fountain is that if the motor goes out, you have to replace the whole unit

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Dog and Cat Water Fountain, Automatic...
  • LARGE WATER CAPACITY: 168 oz. water capacity is great for pets of all sizes or multiple pets
  • ENCOURAGES DRINKING: Falling stream entices pets to drink more water
  • FILTERED WATER: Includes replaceable carbon water filter that refreshes the water

This dog water fountain holds more than most of the competitors, coming in over one gallon. It’s great for homes with multiple pets.

The PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum is designed to constantly filter and aerate the water through a free-falling stream. Replaceable carbon filters remove all of the bad odors and debris. Pre-filter catches large particles before they reach the motor, saving your filter from being changed too often.

There is a spout and receiving ramp, both intended to reduce splash and noise. The low 12-volt system reduces the amount of energy you use.

A few customers complained that this fountain is prone to spills. They also noted that the water in the reservoir evaporates quickly. Most significantly, they mentioned that the motor burns out fast, meaning you have to replace the whole unit.

PetSafe Drinkwell Indoor/Outdoor Dog Fountain, Pet Drinking Fountain...
  • LARGE WATER CAPACITY: 450 oz. water capacity is great for pets of all sizes and multiple pets
  • ENCOURAGES DRINKING: Free-falling stream entices pets to drink more water
  • FILTERED WATER: Includes replaceable carbon water filter that removes bad tastes and odors, keeping water fresh

The PetSafe Indoor/Outdoor dog water fountain has the largest reservoir of any on this list. It has the capacity to hold an impressive three and a half gallons, making it the best choice for your larger dogs or if you’ve got a pack.

This fountain includes a replaceable carbon water filter that removes bad tastes and odors, keeping water fresh. It’s also BPA-free and top-shelf dishwasher safe.

The drinking bowl itself has high sides to reduce splashing and spills. Though this dog water fountain is perfectly suitable to be used indoors, it is made with a UV-resistant plastic to help prevent fading when used outdoors.

There weren't many critiques about this dog water fountain. However, one complaint is quite notable. Customers said that the pump often stops working, and when it is working, it doesn’t seem strong enough for the amount of water it’s moving through. It was too weak to keep the water moving steadily

Amazon Basics Gravity Pet Waterer for Cat, Dog, Small, 1 Gallons...
  • Small water dispenser for dog or cat; uses gravity to ensure a consistent supply of drinking water
  • 1-gallon water capacity; transparent PET container allows for checking water levels at a glance
  • Anti-skid rubber feet on durable plastic base help ensure secure placement

This is the most rudimentary design on the whole list. The self-dispensing waterer uses gravity to ensure a consistent supply of fresh drinking water.

The design is simple and easy to use. Fill the extra-wide-mouthed bottle with up to 1 gallon of fresh water, screw the base onto the lid, and flip the entire unit to allow water to begin draining down into the attached water bowl.

As water levels in the bowl dip, the bottle automatically releases more water down into the bowl.

The base is made of BPA-free plastic, while the water bottle is made of transparent plastic, which allows for checking water levels at a glance.

A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won't be too bad. -by Robert Wagner

It should be noted that this dog water fountain is hand wash only. However, it comes with a one-year warranty to ensure your satisfaction.

Some customers pointed out that this dog water fountain sometimes overflows when their pet is drinking it. They also noted that the fountain leaks if the base is not screwed onto the bottle well. Another is that the bottle molds quickly if it isn’t thoroughly cleaned.


Dog-gone It

A person is pushing the button of the dog water fountain while the dog is drinking water

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

At the end of the day, choosing the right dog water fountain comes down to your dog’s needs and what aesthetics you’re looking for.

For the most part, customers seemed quite satisfied with each of these products, and they could be worth the investment.

No matter which dog water fountain you choose, rest assured that you’re encouraging your pooch to stay hydrated and decrease the chances of any kidney or urinary tract issues.

Which dog water fountain do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.

Featured Image: Photo by Treddy Chen on Unsplash

Last update on 2023-04-14 at 23:26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This