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10 Best Dog Water Fountain Products

By: Molly Weinfurter
Molly Weinfurter is a writer for iHeartDogs, and she’s passionate about helping animals in need. She volunteers for Bailing Out Benji and a local dog rescue.Read more
| July 26, 2023
iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

A dog water fountain can improve your dog’s health in many ways. Hydration is essential for dogs, and clean, fresh water is vital for their health and wellness. Water in traditional bowls can quickly become stale, dirty, or hot, leading to your dog drinking unhealthy bacteria or not drinking enough.

Dog water fountains can combat issues associated with regular water dishes because they provide continuously flowing water, encouraging your dog to drink more while keeping the water clean and cool. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best products to help you narrow down your search.

Dog drinking from water fountain

Buyer’s Guide: Dog Water Fountain

If you want to keep your dog hydrated with clean water, a water fountain for dogs is a great solution. Look for the following aspects when choosing a product.

Capacity

The size of the water fountain you need will depend on the size of your pet and how many pets you have. Larger dogs or multiple pet households will require a fountain with a higher water capacity. Regardless of the capacity, you’ll need to refill the water whenever it’s low.

Filtration

Most pet fountains have some form of filtration system to ensure the water is clean and tastes fresh. Look for fountains with replaceable carbon or charcoal filters to remove impurities and bad tastes from the water. If the fountain doesn’t have filtration, you’ll need to refill it more often to keep the water fresh.

Materials

Dog water fountains come in various materials, including plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic. Plastic is often the most affordable, but it can scratch easily, allowing bacteria to become trapped in the micro-tears. Also, some pets are allergic to plastic. Stainless steel and ceramic options are more durable and hygienic, but they’re usually more expensive. Choose the one that best suits your pet’s needs.

Noise Level

Some water fountains have pumps that can be loud, which might deter your pet from using the fountain. Look for a fountain with a quiet pump so it doesn’t frighten your pet or annoy you.

Ease of Cleaning

Keeping the water fountain clean is crucial for your pet’s health. Look for a design that’s easy to disassemble and clean. Many pet fountains are dishwasher safe, making cleaning effortless.

Corgi drinking from water fountain

What is the Best Dog Water Fountain?

PetSafe Multi-Tier Pet Fountain
  • 100-ounce capacity
  • Two tiers to drink from
  • Replaceable carbon filter keeps water fresh
  • Operates quietly with low-voltage submersible pump
  • Dishwasher-safe materials

The PetSafe Multi-Tier Pet Fountain provides a fresh, filtered water source for your pets with its 100-ounce water capacity. Its multi-tier design appeals to pets because it allows them to either drink from the top dish or the lower bowl. So, regardless of your dog’s height, they’ll be able to stay hydrated. The fountain includes a replaceable carbon water filter that removes bad tastes and odors, ensuring your pets have access to clean, fresh water at all times. Plus, it operates quietly, featuring a low-voltage submersible pump for safe and smooth operation. It’s also made from BPA-free plastic, which is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Zeus Elevated Dog and Cat Drinking Water Fountain
  • 200-ounce water capacity
  • Elevated design to reduce neck strain in large breeds
  • Features multi-stage filtration system
  • Operates quietly
  • Dishwasher-safe materials

The Zeus Elevated Dog and Cat Drinking Water Fountain provides a continuous source of fresh and clean water for your pets. It’s designed with a large 200-ounce water capacity, making it suitable for larger breeds or multi-pet households. Its elevated design is especially helpful for larger dogs with arthritis, as it reduces the strain on their neck and joints when bending down to drink. This dog fountain water bowl features a multi-stage filtration system that removes impurities, ensuring your pets have access to hygienic water at all times. The re-circulating flow also adds more oxygen to the water, improving its taste and encouraging pets to drink more. Plus, it operates quietly and its components are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

PETKIT New Wireless Pump Dog Water Fountain
  • 1.85L capacity
  • Indicator displays water level and quality
  • Ultra-quiet water pump
  • Made from durable Tritan
  • Comes in a variety of color options

The PETKIT New Wireless Pump Water Fountain offers state-of-the-art technology to ensure your pet’s hydration. With a 1.85L capacity, it’s suitable for small to medium-sized dogs. This fountain features a patented, ultra-quiet, wireless water pump that runs on a high-performance, long-life lithium battery. It comes equipped with a smart LED indicator that not only displays water levels but also the quality of the water, alerting you when it needs to be changed. This product includes a highly effective four-stage filtration system to remove impurities and keep the water fresh. Its unique water flow design is made to entice pets to drink more. Also, it’s made from Tritan, a BPA-free material that’s more impact-resistant than other plastics, ensuring the fountain’s durability.

Catit Flower Fountain with Triple Action Filter
  • 3L capacity
  • Three water flow settings
  • Triple-action filtration system to promote urinary health
  • Operates quietly
  • Easy to disassemble for cleaning

The Catit Flower Fountain with Triple Action Filter is an innovative pet water fountain designed to entice dogs and cats to drink more water. Though the name may suggest it’s for cats, it’s also perfect for small and medium dogs. This fountain offers a 3L water capacity and features a cute flower design, providing up to three different water flow settings to cater to picky drinkers. It integrates a triple-action filtration system that removes magnesium, calcium, odors, and impurities from the water, promoting healthier urinary and kidney function. It operates quietly, preventing any disturbances due to noise. Plus, when it’s time to clean it, the fountain’s components are easy to disassemble.

PetSafe Stainless Steel Pet Fountain
  • 128-ounce capacity
  • Free-falling water from five spots
  • Adjustable water flow
  • Ramp reduces splashing
  • Replaceable carbon filter keeps water fresh
  • Operates quietly

The PetSafe Stainless Steel Pet Fountain is a sleek and stylish water dispenser that provides fresh water in a 360 style with a 128-ounce capacity. The stainless steel material is hygienic, easy to clean, and resistant to bacterial growth. It features a free-falling water stream that entices pets to drink more, thus supporting their hydration. The water falls from five different spots and uses a ramp to reduce splashing. You can also adjust the water flow to fit your pet’s preference. The replaceable carbon water filter removes bad tastes and odors, ensuring fresh-tasting water. This product also operates quietly, minimizing noise distraction.

iPettie Tritone Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain
  • 71-ounce capacity
  • Crafted from heavy-duty ceramic
  • Whisper-quiet pump
  • Dual filtration system
  • Energy-efficient option

The iPettie Tritone Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain offers a blend of style, functionality, and hygiene. It features a sleek, low-profile design crafted from heavy-duty ceramic, making it both sturdy and easy to clean. With a capacity of 71 ounces, it’s ideal for small to medium-sized dogs. The fountain operates with a whisper-quiet pump that circulates the water, creating a free-flowing stream that dogs find appealing while it improves aeration, making the water taste fresher. It features a dual filtration system, using a foam filter to catch hair and debris, and a charcoal filter to purify and soften the water. This innovative fountain is also energy-efficient, providing a solution that’s good for both your pet and the environment.

Veken Pet Fountain
  • 84-ounce capacity
  • Three flow settings
  • Quiet, efficient pump
  • Triple filtration system
  • Disassembles for easy cleaning

The Veken Pet Fountain is a popular choice for pet parents seeking a high-quality, reliable hydration solution for their pets. One of its standout features is its quiet, efficient pump and three different flow settings – flower waterfall, flower bubble, and gentle fountain mode, all of which are designed to attract pets and encourage more frequent drinking. It includes an 84-ounce capacity and a triple filtration system, using a cotton layer, coconut shell activated carbon, and an ion exchange resin to effectively purify the water while removing hair, dirt, and food particles. It’s made from durable, BPA-free plastic and is easy to clean, with parts that can be disassembled for thorough cleaning.

PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Pet Fountain
  • 70-ounce water capacity
  • Dual free-falling streams
  • Hygienic ceramic design
  • Includes replaceable carbon filters
  • Quiet, low-voltage submersible pump

The PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Pet Fountain adds a touch of elegance to your home while providing your pets with fresh, filtered water. The fountain has a 70-ounce water capacity, and dual free-falling streams aerate the water for freshness, helping entice your pet to drink more. The ceramic design is not only attractive but also hygienic and easy to clean. This fountain includes replaceable carbon water filters that remove bad tastes and odors, and a foam filter to catch any large particles and hair, ensuring your pet has a clean drinking water source. Its low-voltage submersible pump also helps it operate quietly and safely.

Petmate Replenish Gravity Waterer
  • 0.25 to 3 gallons, depending on model
  • Uses gravity to continuously refill bowl
  • Spill-free design
  • Cutouts make transport easy
  • Multiple color options

The Petmate Replenish Gravity Waterer offers a straightforward and efficient way to keep your pet hydrated. This waterer uses gravity to automatically refill the water bowl as your pet drinks, ensuring a constant supply of water. It’s designed with a large water storage bottle that has a capacity of 0.25 to 3 gallons, depending on the model. The base of the waterer includes PET plastic, which is sturdy and easy to clean. Plus, its compact design means it can easily fit in various spaces in your home. The only downside is the water will need to be replaced more often since it doesn’t have a filter like many of its competitors.

Trio Gato Dog Outdoor Drinking Water Fountain Step On
  • Dispenses water when your dog steps on it
  • Comes with a 41-inch hose and connectors
  • Good for outdoor activities
  • Made of heavy-gauge steel
  • Keeps your pup entertained

The Trio Gato Dog Outdoor Drinking Water Fountain Step On offers a unique, interactive, and fun way for your dog to stay hydrated, especially during the warmer months. Designed for outdoor use, this fountain allows your dog to activate a fresh stream of water by stepping on the pedal. It’s an excellent way to provide your pet with cool water while also stimulating their mind. This outdoor dog water fountain is constructed from heavy-gauge steel to ensure durability and longevity, even with regular use. Installation is easy with the included connectors and 41-inch hose, and the leak-proof copper valve and rubber friction pads help prevent movement and ensure smooth operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Dogs Like Water Fountains?

Most dogs are attracted to dog water fountains as the moving water is intriguing to them and often tastes fresher due to the constant circulation and filtration. However, it’s important to remember that each dog is unique and it may take some time for your pet to adjust to the new drinking mechanism, especially if they’re sensitive to sounds or new experiences.

Are Dog Water Fountains Safe?

Yes, dog water fountains are safe and can even be healthier than traditional water bowls. The constant flow of water in a fountain prevents the growth of bacteria, and the built-in filters help to remove any impurities.

How Often Should I Clean a Dog Water Fountain?

Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the water fountain every two weeks, but this can depend on the specific model and how many pets are using it. Check the user guide for the manufacturer’s instructions.

How Often Should I Change the Filter in a Dog Water Fountain?

The frequency of filter changes depends on the specific model and how many pets are using the fountain. However, a general rule of thumb is to change the filter every month, but look at the user guide to be sure.

Are Dog Water Fountains Noisy?

Most dog water fountains are designed to operate quietly so they won’t scare your pet or become a nuisance in your home. Some models are quieter than others, so if your pet is sensitive to noise, look for a model that advertises quiet operation. When in doubt, look at customer reviews to find out how quiet the product is.

Do Dog Water Fountains Use Lots of Electricity?

Most dog water fountains use very little electricity. The exact amount will depend on the model, but in general, they’re designed to be energy efficient. If you’re hesitant, check customer reviews to see if other pet parents mentioned the product’s energy use.

Can Dog Water Fountains Be Used Outdoors?

Some water fountains are designed for outdoor use, but not all. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if your fountain is suitable for outdoor use.

Can Multiple Pets Use the Same Water Fountain?

Yes, a water fountain can be used by multiple pets. However, if you have more than one pet using the fountain, you’ll need to clean it and replace the filter more often, and you might need a larger capacity fountain.

What Should I Do if My Dog Doesn’t Like Using Their Water Fountain?

If your dog doesn’t take to the water fountain right away, be patient. It might take some time for them to get used to it. You can try running the fountain without the motor initially so your dog can get used to drinking from it without the noise and movement of the water. However, keep in mind that some dogs may just prefer a traditional bowl.

Puppy playing with spraying water

Final Thoughts

All the above water fountains provide a constant stream of fresh, filtered water for your dog. They help ensure your pet stays well-hydrated, which is crucial for their overall health. Each product has unique features, such as varying capacities, materials, and technology. So, choose the one that best fits your needs and those of your dog.

Before purchasing any product, consider the size and number of pets you have, along with their hydration needs. Ensuring our pets have access to clean, fresh water is one of the simplest ways we can care for them. By investing in a dog water fountain, you’re taking a significant step towards improving your dog’s overall health.

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