Dog Water Fountain Review: Is the PetSafe Multi-Tier Fountain Worth It?

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When you live in a multi-pet household, you find yourself refreshing the water bowl a lot. Two dogs and two cats drink a lot, and while many dogs may not care that dirt and hair could be floating around, cats tend to prefer clean, fresh water (and if it can come out of a spout, that’s a plus). That’s where pet water fountains come into play. Most pet water fountains have a filtration system that cleans the water, keeping it fresh for both canines and felines. But not all water dispensers are created equal.

Since I have two dogs and two cats running around my house, I needed one that was large enough to keep four animals happy. I also had to make sure the water dispenser was comfortable for both my cats and dogs to drink out of, as they’re all different sizes. That’s why I decided to give the PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Water Fountain a shot.

The PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Water Fountain

The PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Water Fountain is a straightforward dog water fountain that holds up to 100 ounces (or 12.5 cups) of water.

Its multi-tier, two-bowl design makes it a good choice for households that need to accommodate both small and large pets; the elevated top dish is ideal for taller dogs (especially senior ones who don’t want to lean down as much to drink), while the base is the right height for cats and smaller pups.

The fountain comes with a replaceable carbon filter that traps debris and keeps water fresh throughout the day, while a falling water stream encourages reluctant drinkers.

The multi-tier fountain is made from BPA-free plastic. It can easily be taken apart into two pieces and cleaned on the top rack of a dishwasher. The power cord measures 5.5 feet long, so you have some wiggle room when it comes to where you place the fountain. It includes a low-voltage pump, and while the noise is not entirely masked, it’s not overpowering—a plus for both humans and pets.

Testing the PetSafe Multi-Tier Water Fountain

My household’s animal crew isn’t too picky when it comes to water. Even though my cats and dogs don’t always get along, they’re fine sharing water bowls. But my cats can be a bit finicky about debris in their water, so when I saw the PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Water Fountain, I was curious.

Remy patiently waits to try the new addition.

My first impressions were positive; the fountain felt both lightweight and durable, with a tidy footprint just under one square foot.

Cleaning and assembly were the first hurdles. I was pleasantly surprised at how simple the manual’s instructions were to follow and how easy it was to disassemble and reassemble the fountain. Altogether, it took about ten minutes to clean the machine, install the filter, and put it back together again. I filled up the device with water and plugged it in so my pets could test it.

At first, everyone was hesitant. My apprehensive pup Lucy looked at the fountain and ran away. My two curious cats made an up-close inspection but refrained from drinking. Finally, my fearless pup Remy took a chance on the water fountain, which gave the all-clear to the other three, who made their own tests in short order.

Over the next several days, all four pets became enthusiastic fountain drinkers.

And not only did they seem to like the machine, but it won me over, too. I’m used to refreshing everyone’s water two to three times a day due to an accumulation of hair or dirt. But this device kept the water sparkling clean all day, which I could tell my feline friends in particular appreciated.

Remy bravely investigates and tries the new pet water fountain.

Final Verdict on the Multi-Tier Water Fountain

So would I recommend the PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Water Fountain to other pet parents? Yes! It’s especially great for multi-pet households or ones with seniors pets who aren’t able to bend down as much. It’s also super easy to clean, whether by hand or dishwasher. While it’s not entirely soundless, the noise didn’t stand out too much in my dining room, even when my family sat down for dinner.

My only caveat? Like most water fountains (and water bowls), it requires routine cleaning at least once a week. It’s also important to change the filter every two to four weeks to prevent mold, which means it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it device. But that’s the case with most pet wanter fountains, and this one did cut down on the frequency with which I had to refill the water in the house. It also seemed to improve the quality of the water in particular.

Overall, all four of my animals gave it their paw of approval, which is a win in my book.

Who will like the PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Fountain: