4 Reasons Why You Need A Pet Water Fountain

*AD – Gifted

I was kindly sent the PetSafe Drinkwell Pet Fountain. All opinions shared here are my own.

As a dog or cat owner, we always want to give our furry friends the best life possible. However, with so many products on the market, it’s hard to determine which items will actually help us keep our pets happy and healthy. Today, I’d like to focus specifically on the pet water fountain, and why I believe that every pet owner should consider adding one to their home.

There is no downplaying the significance of the pet industry here in Canada and around the globe.

It has been estimated that the pet industry revenue in 2020 will reach approximately $2.5 billion.

Pet ownership has been on the rise, combined with the fact that more pet owners are seeing their pets as a member of the family.

We spare no expense in making sure that they have high-quality food, fun toys and anything else they may need to live a happy, healthy life.

However, with an industry this large, there are inevitably going to be both good and not so good (okay, let’s say it, useless or even dangerous) products available.

Many pet owners are left wondering, which products will bring the benefits they seek for their pets, and which are just scamming them out of their money with no return?

One of the products that I have seen discussed a lot recently in the pet community is the pet water fountain.

Ranging in price from $20 to $200+, the pet owners that I have spoken with are questioning whether they are worth the investment.

So, let’s dig into it…. What is a pet water fountain, why should you consider investing in a fountain for your home and how do you choose the right fountain for your family?  

What Is A Pet Water Fountain?

Let me start by saying that I am NOT referring to your dog or cat drinking from a human water fountain like the dog in the first picture (although it was too funny not to include).

A pet water fountain is a product made specifically for your pet, providing them with clean, fresh water throughout the day.

A pet water fountain is a bowl or basin with a continues flow of fresh, filtered water for your pet.

There is a large variety in the fountains available, meaning that that there are options designed for every household.  

In addition to the functional differences (size and material) there are also many different styles, allowing you to find a fountain that will match with your home décor.

Factors you should consider when selecting a fountain include:

• Size: There are fountains on the market that range from smaller cat/small dog fountains (2L capacity or less) up to larger multi-pet fountains (5L or larger).
• Material: When considering the material of your ideal fountain, consider cleaning requirements, weight, and durability. The most common materials on the market are plastic, stainless steel and ceramic.
• Noise: Some pet fountains will run quieter than others. If you have a skittish dog or cat, you may want to spend a little more for a higher-quality, quieter pump to avoid discouraging your pet from drinking.
• Filtration: Pet fountains are not all created equally in terms of filtration. If you’re going to invest in a fountain, you want to ensure that you are getting all the benefits.
• Appearance: Finally, when you have narrowed down your options, take a look at which fountain will fit best with the décor of your home.

This is an investment, so you want it to last over time.

Consider purchasing from a trusted brand, like PetSafe Canada, to ensure that you are buying a high-quality product that you can count on!

Related: ‘Easy Homemade Cat Treats with Pumpkin‘

Are Water Fountains Worth It? 4 Benefits for Your Pet

Now that you’ve found the fountain that you believe would best suit your pet(s), you may be wondering if it’s worth the investment.

Are pet fountains really going to improve your pet’s health, or are they just the latest fad?

To help you understand why, let’s discuss some of the benefits associated with the use of a high-quality pet water fountain…

#1 – Fresh, Clean Drinking Water Always Available

If you are purchasing a high-quality fountain, it will include some form of filtration.

This can range from simple filtration that removes larger objects in your pet’s water (fur, larger dirt particles, etc.) to more in-depth filtration systems with charcoal or anti-bacterial filters.

A study conducted at Hartpury University discovered that your pet’s water dish may actually be a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria including MRSA, E. coli and salmonella.

This is a health risk not only for your pet(s) but also for you and your family!

By using a system with a more advanced filtration system, you are effectively eliminating these bacteria, providing a safe source of fresh water for your pet.

The dog water bowl has previously been identified as the third most contaminated item within the household, which suggests that they are capable of disease transmission.

Aisling Carroll, Hartpury University

While the use of a filtered water fountain doesn’t eliminate the need to properly clean and disinfect your pet’s dish regularly, it does help to eliminate bacteria in the period between cleanings.

This, alone, was reason for me to consider adding a fountain to our home!

#2 – Encourage Proper Hydration

You often hear people talking about the need to increase our own water intake for health-related reasons, but what about your pets?

In the wild, cats and dogs get most of the water that they need to stay healthy when they eat their prey.

However, with the rising popularity of dry kibble diets, many pets today are chronically dehydrated, leading to health complications including (but not limited to) urinary tract problems and kidney disease.

The movement of water in a fountain taps into a pet’s natural instincts.

In the wild, stagnant pools or puddles are considered dangerous as they are more likely to make an animal sick. Instead they will seek out a source of running water.

In addition to the water movement, the water itself is more desirable in a pet fountain.

Our pets are more sensitive than the average human to the scents and tastes associated with the chemicals in tap water.  

The water in a fountain is more likely to be free of undesirable odours or tastes that may discourage your pet from drinking.

#3 – Your Pet’s Water Stays Cooler

Another factor that may encourage your dog or cat to drink more water is the temperature of the water itself.

With the water continuously circulating, the water is, on average, a couple of degrees cooler than the surrounding air in your home.

This may not seem like much. That being said, leave a bottle of water out on the counter allowing it to warm up and take a sip…

The difference is enough to make the water in your pet’s new fountain more refreshing, encouraging them to want to drink more.

#4 – Less Refilling for You

Most pet fountains hold a significantly higher volume of water than your pet’s standard water dish.

This means that you won’t have to worry about filling your pet’s dish as often.

It also means that your pet is less likely to run out of water if you are away from the home for any length of time. A concern that I know many working pet parents share!

There is also the elimination of the need to replace your pet’s water daily.

With the filtration at work, the water in your pet’s dish will stay fresher, longer, saving you from doing the extra work.

Related: ‘Help! My Dog is Eating Too Fast!‘

PetSafe Drinkwell 7.5 Litre Pet Fountain

After reading all of that information about selecting the right pet water fountain for your home, you may be wondering which fountain we’re using.

When we were first contacted about trying the PetSafe line of fountains, there was a discussion about our pets and our unique needs.

With all of this in mind, we came to an agreement that the PetSafe Drinkwell 7.5 Litre Pet Fountain was the right choice for us!

As it indicates in the name of the product, this is a rather large fountain with the ability to hold 7.5 litres of water.

This is important for us as a multiple pet household.

With 2 larger dogs and 2 cats all drinking from the same water dish, it wouldn’t take long to empty a smaller option.

(Yes, we have tried providing multiple dishes for the different pets, they aren’t interested. Our pets are a ‘pack’ and prefer drinking together)

This fountain uses 2 separate filters to provide our pets with safe, fresh water.

First, the water moves through a larger filter, removing hair and debris (which inevitably finds its way into the bowl with 4 pets running around).

Then, it is put through a charcoal filter to remove any impurities.

We also have full control over of the water coming through the fountain with the flow control.

This allows us to control the speed of the water (for any pets that may be a little more nervous around the fountain) as well as the sound that the moving water creates.

Finally, the large capacity dish at the bottom is ideal for multiple pets, as it is open on 3 sides, allowing our pets to access the water at the same time.

The larger basin also works to control splashing.

In the time that we have been using it, we haven’t seen any splashing outside of the dish.

I wish the same could be said for the mess that Indiana creates when he’s drinking…

If you are looking for a high-quality pet water fountain, I highly recommend checking out the PetSafe line of products!  

Have you ever used a pet water fountain in your house? If so, what factors contributed to selecting the best fountain for your pet(s)?