- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Getting a dog to drink enough water is easy for some pet parents, but it can be a hassle for others. And when the dog days of summer come rolling in, lots of us become concerned that our furry friends aren’t drinking enough. If your pup tends to overheat, doesn’t like to lap up liquids due to health problems, or just has trouble staying consistently hydrated, you’ve probably had someone recommend a dog water fountain.
Dog water fountains provide an attractive source of clean running water—but will they really entice your dog to drink more of it? And how much noise do they make? How much upkeep do they require? To find out, we tried out some pet water fountains, combed reviews, and spoke with expert veterinarian Dr. Rebecca Greenstein to learn whether these nifty devices really do keep your canine better hydrated.
How Dog Water Fountains Work
Dog water fountains offer your dog access to fresh, filtered water without requiring that you constantly refill their bowl. Most dog water fountains include a built-in filter that refreshes water and removes hair and debris.
Some include waterfalls or spouts that are intended to encourage pets to drink more—the theory being that running water looks safer and more attractive to animals than stagnant pools. The splashing sound, too, can remind pets that there’s water available when they might otherwise pass it by.
The preference for running water is especially common in cats, who tend to be pickier about their water than their canine friends.
Pet water fountains come in a wide range of styles. Some are small—perfect for petite breeds—while others can hold a huge amount of water for multi-pet households.
The PetSafe Drinkwell is a good option for large pet families.
There are dog water fountains that are elevated off the ground to help senior dogs and pets who aren’t able to bend over as much, while others prioritize low, wide bowls to accommodate short-legged friends and cats who need to avoid whisker fatigue.
Fountains also come in different materials, including stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic. Stainless steel tends to be the easiest to clean, while plastic is the lightest and most portable. Ceramic is for fending off pups who tend to nudge and flip their bowls.
Some dog water fountains are even designed for outdoor use, so your pup can stay hydrated while hanging out in the backyard.
The PetSafe Drinkwell Outdoor Dog Fountain works in the backyard.
Pet water fountains have different noise levels depending on the pump design and the splash potential. If you’re placing the water fountain in a high traffic area like your dining room, you may want to find a quieter option so you don’t have to compete with the noise at the dinner table.
Dog Water Fountains: What’s On the Market
The plastic PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Fountain is a good example of a water fountain that can accommodate a large family of pets, especially of different sizes. It holds 100 ounces (12.5 cups) of water and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. A replaceable carbon water filter needs to be swapped out every two to four weeks, but the low-voltage submersible pump and free-falling water stream are relatively quiet. Our testing found it one of the lower-maintenance options out there (though no water fountain is totally hands-off).
For almost no pump sound, the Tomxcute Stainless Steel Pet Fountain is hard to beat. Its 1.5-watt pump is ultra silent, so you only hear the sound of flowing water. This dishwasher-safe fountain is resistant to rust and circulates 3.2 liters (13.5 cups) of water.
The Tomxcute Stainless Steel Pet Fountain keeps a low sound profile.
Dogs who love nothing better than a sunny afternoon in the backyard might like the PetSafe Drinkwell Indoor/Outdoor Dog Fountain. It holds an astonishing 450 ounces (56 cups) of liquid and includes a carbon filter that constantly refreshes the water. UV-resistant plastic prevents sun damage, and it can also be used indoors—but we think its significant footprint probably makes it a better outdoor option for most pet parents.
If a sleek look is your priority, we like the circular PetSafe Stainless Steel 360 Pet Fountain, which hold a full gallon of water and has five water streams and dual-filtration technology. Unfortunately, you pay for style—but its durability may make it worth the sacrifice.
We think the PetSafe Stainless Steel 360 Pet Fountain is super stylish.
What the Experts Say About Dog Water Fountains
To get an expert’s opinion on dog water fountains, I spoke with Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, who stressed the importance of canine hydration. One of the top jobs we have as pet parents is keeping our dogs healthy and hydrated, especially on hot summer days. “Keeping your dog hydrated should be an owner’s huge priority in the summertime,” emphasized Dr. Greenstein.
Whether a dog fountain will get the job done depends on the dog. It’s important to know and evaluate your dog’s drinking habits. “Some dogs are really excited by the running water of a water fountain, and other dogs, well, you can’t get them to drink almost if their lives depended on it,” said Dr. Greenstein. “It’s kind of learning how to sneak hydration in a form that they’re receptive to.”
In some cases, that may be by using a dog water fountain. In others, you may need to try something new, like giving your pup ice cubes to stay hydrated.
K_Thalhofer via iStock
Dr. Greenstein emphasized not only is it important to encourage your dog to stay hydrated, but you need to make sure their bowls are clean. “You want to make sure that whatever it is you’re using, that you’re cleaning and disinfecting it regularly between uses so that germs don’t build up,” she said. If a fountain is what helps you stay on top of maintenance, then more power to you!
Dr. Greenstein also cautioned against using communal water bowls at the dog park or when out and about. “Be careful sharing products with other dogs because certain infectious diseases can transmit that way.” Dog water bottles are one answer to hydration on the go that help pet parents avoid water sharing in public settings.
Final Verdict: Does Your Dog Need a Water Fountain?
So are dog water fountains worth it? Maybe!
Like most pet products we’ve come across, dog water fountains won’t suit every canine. While some dogs may love having access to a flowing stream of filtered water, others could care less. But if you’re looking for a solution to entice your dog to drink more, especially if they have a medical condition that makes hydration especially critical, dog water fountains are a good place to start.
Budget options like the Pioneer Pet Swan Drinking Fountain are nice if you’re keen to increase hydration but not sure about your pet’s drinking preferences.
They can also be a good investment for a hot summer, when dogs are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and heat stroke. Plus, we’ve found cats who share a home with pups appreciate something that filters out the dog hair in a shared water system—so we think they’re smart to encourage drinking in multi-pet households.
101cats via iStock
Dog water fountains aren’t, however, a set-it-and-forget it answer to hydration—filters have to be changed every few weeks, and the fountain bowl needs regular dishwashing. So if you’re looking to cut back on your own workload, a dog water fountain probably won’t dramatically change the amount of energy you’re putting in to hydrating your pup.
There’s also the cost of filters to consider. Though most refill filters are pretty affordable, the cost over time makes a dog water fountain a continuous investment.
Our bottom line? If you’ve got a good drinker on your hands already, a dog water fountain probably won’t dramatically change your dog watering schedule. If you’ve got a pup who needs extra encouragement to drink or a multi-pet household to provide for, a pet water fountain can be a great solution.
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts, including Rover’s Dog People Panel. We evaluated dog water fountains based on capacity, usability, noise level, and maintenance requirements. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
