Best Dog Water Dispenser

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The Best Bite for Your Buck- Dog Water Dispensers

Some owners might say the best dog water bowl is literally a bowl. Simply any bowl will do as long as it does not leak. But more experienced dog owners know that stagnant water can develop mildew, bacteria, or become a breeding ground for flies and mosquitos (especially in an outdoor kennel). I often tell new pet owners, just like you wouldn’t want to drink water out of a half-evaporated, dusty tumbler from last weekend’s party, chances are your pooch doesn’t want to drink from that porch bowl with his own fur floating in it.

Which is Right for my Pooch?

You’ve probably seen some of the most popular water dispensers for dogs on online markets. But gurrrrl, how do you know which ones are best suited for your dog?

That all depends on your particular dog’s traits. How big or small are they? Do they usually like water or need an incentive to drink it? How messy is your dog? How rowdy or clumsy are they? Do you have one or many fur-babies sharing the same bowl?

Best Dog Water Dispenser

What we do know for all canines is that they need between 0.6 and 1.0 fluid ounces of water per pound of body weight per day to remain hydrated. Water is essential for the operation of all your dog’s bodily systems, especially digestion, circulation, and elimination. Even with a well-balanced diet, the nutrients won’t be able to reach the active cells of your dog’s body without sufficient hydration. Additionally, it lubricates joints and regulates temperature. And water deficiency can exacerbate already existing health issues. All of this to say, access to constant, clean drinking water is clearly necessary for your dog to be living their best life!

Which is Right for my Lifestyle?

Finding the best bowl also depends on your current setting and routines. Do you travel out of town often? How much space you have in your current living situation? Do you care if your things match? How much extra you got to spend, bro?

It can be hard to have time to do the comparisons yourself, but discerning owners want to know what’s best for their dogs, their lives, and their pocketbooks.

Below, I’ve reviewed several of the leading pet water dispensers readily available (because heck, a cat can drink from them, too!). Many people prefer fountains for water bowls because they circulate the water through filters, but I’ve also included a gravity water station in this review for people who prefer a simpler approach. Each of these dispensers have features to cater to different types of dogs and different types of people. I hope you’ll find my review helpful in comparing what each has to offer and in finding the best water bowl for you and your best bud. I’ve ordered them from greatest to least favorite.

IPETTIE Tritone Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain

This fountain’s size is best for small dogs to medium sized dogs. The waterfall streams makes drinking more appealing, and the filter eliminates foul odors or tastes in the water. Triple waterfalls provide more than one stream at a time for multiple animals. The build is sturdy and heavy.

CONSUMER CONCERNS: Some had a hard time finding replacement filters but this could be because the filters are both carbon and charcoal for better filtration.

Key Features:

Water Capacity- 71 fl. oz. Sturdy Build

The water stations come in small, medium, and large sizes correspondingly for small, medium, and large dogs. Water refills as quickly as it empties from the reservoir. Gravity fillers must be on level surfaces to work properly. This model has a fake lid; you cannot refill from the top. Customer service support is available from the manufacturer.

CONSUMER CONCERNS: Low ratings and reviews were due to needing to jiggle the reservoir to have it refill the empty basin, mostly problems with the spring that enables it to do so, and some rusting of the stainless steel bowls. In addition, there seems to be difficulty in reaching customer service.

Key Features:

Water Capacity- 64 fl. oz.; 128 fl. oz.; 320 fl. oz.

BPA-free Plastic Reservoir Stainless Steel Basin Dishwasher Safe

Special Features:

No pumps or electricity needed: not a fountain

Pioneer Pet Raindrop Drinking Fountain

The 60 fl. oz. size is best for small dogs. The 96 fl. oz. size is best for medium to large dogs. Circulating water makes drinking more appealing and the filter eliminates foul odors or tastes in the water.

CONSUMER CONCERNS: Low ratings and reviews were due to short pump life although pumps lasted on average longer than those from the complaints of PetSafe brands, quick growth of slime, poor filtration, rusting, calcification, and some noisy pumps.

Key Features:

Water Capacity- 60 fl. oz.; 96 fl. oz.

Replaceable Charcoal Filter Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe

Special Features:

Modern raindrop shape

PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Fountain for Pets

This fountain’s size is best for small dogs to medium sized dogs. The waterfall streams make drinking more appealing and the filter eliminates foul odor or tastes in the water. The higher and lower dishes allow easier access to water for older or arthritic pets. Dual waterfalls provide more than one stream at a time for multiple animals. Customer service support is available from the manufacturer.

CONSUMER CONCERNS: Low ratings and reviews were due to short pump life and not enough force in the pump which led to the eventual growth of slime. Many complaints were reported about the noisy pump despite its submergibility and the loud trickle from the dual streams. In addition, there seems to be difficulty in reaching customer service.

Key Features:

Water Capacity- 70 fl. oz.

Replaceable Carbon Filter Foam Filter Ceramic Dishwasher Safe

Special Features:

Dual stream: from a higher and lower bowl

Reduced noise: submersible pump

PetSafe Drinkwell Cat and Dog Water Fountain

This fountain has 3 different capacity sizes to consider. The ½ gallon is best for small dogs. The 1 gallon is best for medium sized dogs. The platinum is best for large dogs. The platinum size is currently and strangely cheaper than the medium size. The waterfall stream makes drinking more appealing, and the filter eliminates foul odors or tastes in the water. This model includes a foam filter that the original model doesn’t which helps to clear fur and dirt before it reaches the pump. This seems to be why the pumps last slightly longer than the original model which had more low reviews for pump lives of only a couple months. Customer service support is available from the manufacturer.

CONSUMER CONCERNS: Low ratings and reviews were due to not enough force in the pump which leads to a fast and recurring problem with the growth of slime. There were also reported problems with water overflowing the basin from the reservoir. Improvements from the original were coupled with new problems. In addition, there seems to be difficulty in reaching customer service.

Key Features:

Water Capacity- ½ gallon (64 fl. oz.); 1 gallon (128 fl. oz.); Platinum size (168 fl. oz.)

Replaceable Carbon Filter Foam Filter BPA-free plastic Dishwasher Safe

Special Features:

Platinum size: optional LED nightlight

Adjustable stream: customizable flow

Reduced noise: ramp for quieter trickle sound

PetSafe Drinkwell Original Cat and Dog Water Fountain

This fountain’s size is best for small dogs. You can buy it with a cleaning kit of brushes or an additional 50 fl. oz. reservoir for about the same price. The waterfall stream makes drinking more appealing, and the filter eliminates foul odors or tastes in the water. Customer service support is available from the manufacturer.

CONSUMER CONCERNS:Low ratings and reviews were due short pump lives, ineffective filtering systems, noisy pumps, and problems with water overflowing the basin from the reservoir. There were reports of significant decline in pump lives from previous PetSafe models, some of which lasted 15 years compared to some pumps in the new model lasting less than 1 year. In addition, there seems to be difficulty in reaching customer service.

Key Features:

Water Capacity- 100 fl. oz. (50 fl. oz. plus an additional 50 fl. oz. reservoir)

Replaceable Carbon Filter BPA-free plastic Dishwasher Safe

Special Features:

Adjustable stream: Customizable flow

Reduced noise: ramp for quieter trickle sound

T.L.D.R Conclusion

The Blue Ribbon Fountain

My comprehensive, generic pick of the litter is the IPETTIE Tritone Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain. It earned the highest average star ratings and the highest percentage of 5 star ratings. After studying the features and reviews, I don’t feel it’s by chance. It is the clear winner! The ceramic structure is higher quality and sturdier to withstand more exuberant breeds. And it holds a medium amount of water, sufficient for medium to large breeds, but small enough in size to save space in busy or cramped living spaces. It is widely regarded as quiet in both pump and trickle sounds. And, it offers filtration by charcoal, carbon, and foam for the best safety of your animal and of the pump itself. My guess is it has the best tasting water for that very reason as well.

One of the downsides of this fountain is that you can’t use the dishwasher to clean it. A ring at the waterline from some growth and build-up is normal, and as all water dispensers, this one will need regular cleaning at those times. However, it doesn’t seem to need excessive cleaning. It’s actually not too much of a downside, because the dispensers that are dishwasher safe also seem to need soaking and scrubbing before its use. In my opinion, you won’t be saving much time or effort there.

Yes, the IPETTIE Tritone is a bit pricier than some of the other options. Even so, it is clear that there are always risks for product damage or lemons, especially when products are traveling to us by delivery. However, PetSafe as a brand had more customers complaining that the overall quality of their products is cheap. I don’t know about you, but I would rather pay more to begin with for a better fountain than have to buy several crummy ones.

Finally, the design is pleasant to look at reminding me of the French Quarter in New Orleans and the Art Deco movement. Your one, solitary, spoiled Siberian would have his choice of three waterfalls to drink from. Or all three of your stylish and sociable Setter Spaniels would each drink from a different spout at the same time. Either way, it’s a suitable pick.

Consolation Ribbons

My second choice is the PetSafe Healthy Pet Gravity Dog and Cat Water Station simply because it has less bells and whistles and therefore less that could go wrong after purchasing. There’s no pump that could break, no electrical plug that could short out, and no filter to clog. Even at the largest size, it is the cheapest for those of us working under a budget. Unfortunately, the same concern about quality for this brand goes as stated above. However, there are many gravity dispensers of the same likeness on the market. I’d suggest going with one that averages 4.5 out of 5 stars or above.

The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Drinking Fountain has a stylish, modern look that might be appealing to some. It’s jelly bean shape and polished silver surface make it more of an art piece than a water dish for sure! That’s why I chose it third. Just be aware that the ratings show a hit and miss with satisfaction and functionality reviews. It doesn’t hold much water in the basin even though it holds enough in circulation. And there are many complaints about needing to clean it often. If you like its vibe though, maybe it’s worth the gamble!

The PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Fountain for Pets has an style somewhere between the IPETTIE Tritone and the Pioneer Raindrop. It has the same, glossy, white, ceramic surface as my top pick, and the same, contemporary energy as the Pioneer Raindrop with its sleek, curving lines. But even with a ceramic design as opposed to plastic, quality was again a concern in the reviews for this PetSafe product. It has relatively the same rating as its cousin, the PetSafe Drinkwell Cat and Dog Water Fountain, but I picked it next because of its more attractive design. The PetSafe Drinkwell Original Cat and Dog Water Fountain was the lowest rated of all the PetSafe products I reviewed, so I’m giving it the “thanks for participating” ribbon.

The Doggone Truth

Whether you pay top dollar for the blue ribbon fountain or try out one of the cheaper gravity dispensers, increasing the flow of fresh water to your pup’s bowl will bring a stronger foundation to their health and vitality. Changing it manually or storing up a reservoir, make sure that an ample supply of clean water is always available and encourage drinking with praise!

For more information about the importance of hydration for dogs, check out the following articles: