Are Dog Water Fountains Worth It?

Yes, dog water fountains are worth it for people who often forget to refill their dog’s water bowls on a daily basis, for people who live in hot climates where chilled water would be beneficial or for people with picky dogs who only drink fresh, running water.

A dog water fountain may not be worth it for someone who has a young puppy that may be inclined to chew the power cords or someone who does not want to put the extra effort into cleaning the fountain and regularly changing the filter. In the end, an ordinary dog water bowl keeps your dog hydrated just as well as a dog water fountain does.

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Your Introductory Questions About Dog Water Fountains Answered

Do dogs like water fountains? Yes, dogs like water fountains because it’s a running water source, not stagnant. Running water is a natural preference for dogs developed from their ancestors as they knew that running water was safer. Additionally, water fountains are very convenient and the water is filtered.

Are water dispensers safe for dogs? Yes, water dispensers are safe for dogs as long as you regularly change the filter to keep it clean. The main hazard of a water dispenser would be the electricity cord that a young puppy might be inclined to chew.

Types Of Dog Water Fountains

There are two main types of dog water fountains – cord & power outlet operated and battery operated. The advantage of battery operated water fountains is that you can place them anywhere in your house and even in sheltered areas outside. However the disadvantage is that you have to regularly change the batteries. As for cord & power outlet operated dog water fountains, the advantages are that they are generally more powerful and they last longer. However they are limited by location, needing to be near a power outlet and they also have a cord that a puppy could chew.

Cord & Power Outlet Operated Dog Water Fountains

Our Top Recommendations For Dog Water Fountains

Petmate Fresh Flow Rain Fountain

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2. Lu&Ba Dog Water Fountain

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Battery Operated Dog Water Fountains

Are there any battery operated dog water fountains? Yes, there are battery operated dog water fountains available for purchase online and it pet stores. These dog water fountains do not need a cord or outlet which means you can place it anywhere inside or even outside your house.

Our Top Recommendations For Battery Operated Dog Water Fountains

Petmate Fresh Flow Rain Fountain

Find Out The Current Price On PetMate Here

Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here

You Need To Know These Facts About Dog Water Fountains Before Purchasing One

Are dog water fountains expensive to run? No, dog water fountains are cheap to run as they do not use much electricity. They run on a low voltage supply, averaging 1.5 to 2.5 watts per hour. About 1 kilowatt of power would be used in a month, costing 15-30 cents.

Do dog water fountains use a lot of electricity? No, dog water fountains do not use a lot of electricity. On average, a dog water fountains uses approximately 1.5 to 2.5 watts per hour, depending on the model. In a month, it would use approximately 1 kilowatt of power.

Do dog water fountains make noise? Yes, dog water fountains produce a quiet humming noise however it’s hardly noticeable. A dog water fountain can be noisy if the water level is not right or if the pump mechanism is old. Manufacturers make their dog water fountains as quiet as possible.

Do pet water fountains need filters? Most pet water fountains come with a filter. While you do not need a filter for a pet water fountain to function, it serves the purpose to keep the fountain clean for a longer period of time whilst also purifying the water.

How Dog Water Fountains Work

Dog & Cat Water Fountain – 62 Oz. Automatic Pet Fountain – Dog Water Dispenser - Walmart.com - Walmart.com

How does a self watering dog bowl work? A self watering dog bowl works from a combination of gravity and air pressure. Water stored in the reservoir flows out through a small opening in the bowl due to gravity. It stops flowing when the water fully covers the small opening due to a low pressure zone at the top of the reservoir. When the water level drops again, air can go back into the top of the reservoir, displacing the water which refills the bowl. Other self watering dog bowls are electric where a pump refills the bowl instead.

A Step-By-Step Explanation Of How A Dog Water Fountain Works

Water is stored in a reservoir that is located at the back of the product, behind the water bowl area.
There is gravity acting on the water stored in the reservoir, encouraging it to flow out through the small opening located about half way down the bowl.
Nevertheless, the water cannot flow out when the water bowl is full as a low pressure zone at the top of the reservoir counteracts gravity and sucks the water back up.
As your dog drinks the water in the bowl or as the water evaporates throughout the day, the water level decreases.
Once the water level is below the opening between the reservoir and the bowl, air can go back into the top of the reservoir. This causes a ‘gulping’ noise.
The water in the reservoir is displaced by air which ultimately refills the bowl until the opening is covered again and no more air can go into the reservoir.
This process continues all day until the water source is depleted.

Is it hard to train a dog to drink from a water fountain? No, it’s not hard to train a dog to drink from a water fountain as it’s very similar to an ordinary dog bowl. It may be harder to train a noise sensitive dog however this can be overcome through training.

Do dog water fountains keep the water cold? The majority of dog water fountains cool the water slightly however some models keep the water totally chilled. You can find out specific information about your dog water fountain in the product specifications to see if it keeps water cold.

How can I keep my dog’s water cool outside? The best way to keep a dog’s water cool outside is to use a battery operated dog water fountain that has a chilled water feature. These fountains will give your dog a constant, fresh supply of cold water while outside.

Keeping A Dog Fountain Water Clean

How often should you change the water in a dog water fountain? You should change the water in a dog fountain every week if it is a filtered system or when the water source is depleted. The water in an unfiltered systems should be changed every 2 days.

How do I clean my dog’s water fountain? To clean a dog water fountain, firstly unplug the system, pour out the water and dissemble the parts. Wash the water reservoir and bowl with warm soapy water by hand. Then reassemble the fountain and replace the filter if necessary.

Dog Water Fountains & Other Animals

Do pet water fountains attract bugs? Yes, a pet water fountain can attract bugs if the water is not changed, if it is not cleaned and/or the filter is not replaced regularly. Leftover food particles from your pet’s mouth builds up in a water fountain which can attract bugs.

Do dog water fountains attract mosquitoes? No, dog water fountains do not attract mosquitoes as they are a running water source. Mosquitoes only breed in stagnant water, so the disruption to the water surface caused by a fountain will not allow this. Water is also changed regularly which stops mosquitoes.