5 Best Dog Water Fountains

Keeping our dogs active means keeping them hydrated. Most of us wouldn’t dream of going on a hike or even some longer walks without extra water and a collapsible bowl for our furry partners.

But some of us forget how important it is to keep our dogs hydrated when they’re at home.

A dog water fountain can help your pup stay healthy, hydrated, and ready for any adventure.

PetSafe makes several different dog fountains, as you’ll notice below, but this one is our favorite. It’s well built, well designed, and is easy to set up and keep running.

I wish that we could list the Trio Gato “sprinkler” as our favorite, but the truth is some dogs may be a little to timid to use it, or just not curious enough to find out.

That’s why we listed it as our “fun” pick. Because, it is so fun if you have a medium/large playful dog.

As you can see, this could get messy fast. It’s definitely an outdoor only water fountain, but we still love it!

Top 5 Dog Water Fountains

We’ve talked about our top 2 picks, but let’s dig in a little deeper and find the perfect dog water fountain for you!

1. PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Multi-Pet Stainless Steel Dog Fountain

If you like options, this dog fountain is for you.

The PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Multi-Pet Stainless Steel Dog and Cat Fountain allows you to increase or decrease the flow of water. And if you have lots of dogs, this fountain comes with different rings for the spout, allowing up to 5 streams.

The different attachments also allow you to control the volume. And if your dogs are like mine and drink a ton of water after walks, the 360-degree design also allows multiple dogs to drink at the same.

This fountain holds one gallon which makes it a great size for medium dogs or a large dog. One of my favorite things about this fountain is that it’s dishwasher safe.

This pump comes with clips for the power cord so you can tuck it away and not worry about your dogs tripping on it or guests seeing it.

Pros: Options, options, options! This is one of the few pumps that allows you to customize the flow and amount of streams. The stainless steel construction and center tower make for a beautifully modern design.

Cons: This model can be a little complicated to take apart and put back together. If you have large dogs, you’ll find yourself refilling this almost daily.

Perfect for: Homes with medium dogs.

2. IPETTIE Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain

This small fountain is beautifully designed. The IPETTIE Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain is made from eco-friendly ceramic, and if all-white isn’t your thing, it also come with a pop of blue.

This fountain’s petite size makes it an excellent choice for smaller dogs. It holds 71 ounces of water (about half a gallon).

If you like a quiet house or you have a skittish pup, this is one of the quietest fountains. The three water spouts direct water to hit the walls of the bowl which lessens the splashing sound.

Not only is it quiet, but the low power consumption pump won’t use much energy. Like some of the best fountains, this one has a dual-filtration system which will keep your dog’s water smelling and looking fresh.

The 360-degree design also allows for multiple pups to drink at the same time.

Pros: This fountain is a conversation piece. It also is one of the quietest fountains you can find.

Cons: The white ceramic tends to show buildup from hard water and is not dishwasher safe.

Perfect for: Small dogs and owners with taste.

3. PetSafe Drinkwell 2 Gallon Dog and Cat Water Fountain

This fountain can hold up to 2 gallons of water and lets you adjust the flow of water based on your pet’s needs (this also adjusts the noise level).

The large reservoir bowl is great for dogs that drink quickly or for super thirsty dogs.

This fountain was designed for large dogs and can hold up in houses with multiple dogs. As one customer put it ‘there’s more than enough water for my St. Bernard to drink in one day,’ but most customers say that it holds enough water for a few days.

The high-wall design of the bowl prevents water from splashing over the edge.

Pros: Holds enough water for large dogs.

Cons: Not the easiest fountain to clean, and it can be heavy to lift when refilling it.

Perfect for: Large dogs.

4. Zeus Fresh & Clear Elevated Dog Water Dispenser by Dogit

Gosh Dogit, this fountain is a great value! This fountain is one of the best rated on the market and one of the least expensive. It’s also great for dogs who have never had a drinking fountain before.

The low-flow center spout reduces noise and flows more gently. The elevated drinking surface is great for larger breeds and older dogs (particularly those with arthritis).

The size is also great for multiple-dog houses and large dogs. It holds just over 1.5 gallons and the multi-stage filtration also keeps the water clean and free of odors.

Pros: The tall design provides a comfortable drinking position.

Cons: Filter may need to be replaced as often as weekly. Makes a strange gurgling sound when running low on water.

Perfect for: Medium to large dogs and senior citizen dogs.

5. PetSafe Drinkwell Indoor/Outdoor Dog Fountain

If you have one of those dogs that you practically have to drag in from the backyard, the PetSafe Drinkwell Indoor/Outdoor Dog Fountain is perfect.

This fountain holds a lot of water: over 3.5 gallons! Which means your dog can stay out and bask in the sun for as long as he wants.

In fact, PetSafe boasts this as “the largest capacity fountain on the market.” Another advantage of this fountain is that you can remove the water reservoirs from the fountain to refill them. This means you don’t have to carry the whole unit each time it’s low on water.

You also don’t have to worry about the plastic fading and cracking – the BPA-free plastic is UV resistant. In addition to the size, this fountain has two filtration systems which means your dog’s water will be sparkling clean.

Pros: This fountain is huge which means less refilling and more water. But the biggest benefit of this fountain is that you can put it in the backyard.

Cons: This fountain tends to be a little bit louder than others.
Perfect for: Large dogs and dogs that like to stay outside for long periods of time.

What to consider when choosing a dog water fountain (Read before you buy!)

Dog water fountains are great for people who work long hours or for those of us who worry about whether or not our dogs are drinking enough water. If you’re worried about the water quality they filter out impurities and odors.

Many dogs can become dehydrated for many reasons, don’t let their dog bowl be one of them! Good hydration promotes healthy digestion, circulation, kidney function, and helps regulate body temperature.

Additionally, hydration promotes healthy joints. Hydration can also prevent heart damage to keep our doggos around for more walks.

Size

Like us, our best friends are made of about 60-80% water. To stay healthy, dogs need to drink at least one ounce of water per pound every day. They need to drink even more depending on the climate or if they’re on any medications.

Of course you would need to multiply the amount of available water if you have more than one dog. So, when you’re choosing a fountain, you’ll want to make sure the reservoir or tank holds enough water. And that you don’t have to refill the fountain too frequently.

Multi-dog owners usually prefer fountains with more than one bowl where their dogs can drink from any direction.

Appearance and noise

How often are we able to actually show off our dog gadgets rather than storing them away?

You don’t have to worry about your dog’s water fountain ruining your feng shui. In fact, I would encourage you to think about the way the fountain would look in your home.

From stainless steel to ceramic, you can find a dog fountain that will match your taste and decor. Some even have lights to let you know when the filter needs to be replaced.

Have you ever noticed that nothing makes an adventurous dog’s tail wag more than finding a lake or stream on a hike?

Dogs have a natural instinct that draws them to the sound of running water. Dog water fountains mimic this sound. When dogs hear the stream of fresh water, it encourages them to drink more. Some fountains bubble while others sound more like a running faucet.

You’ll want to think about how much noise you want before making a purchase. More nervous dogs may be too skittish to drink if a pump makes too much noise.

How easy is it to clean?

Most of us would rather spend time with our dogs rather than cleaning a drinking fountain, so it’s important to keep in mind how many crevices a fountain has and how easy (or difficult) it is to take apart and put back together.

Many fountains are even dishwasher safe, too, which makes them easy to clean. Most plastic fountains are made with microban to keep their water fresher for longer.

Most fountains eventually get clogged with fur and need the pump taken out and cleaned from time to time.

Filter cost and lifespan

One of the best things about a dog water fountain is that it can filter out harsh chemicals and smells. Strange smells might deter your dog from drinking as much as he or she needs.

Filters range in lifespan and cost. Some filters will last you 3 months while others need to be changed weekly.

Don’t let the maintenance cost of a fountain blindside you. There is a wide range of cost for replacement fountain filters. You can get some for as low as $4.61 for a four pack all the way to $20 for one.

Other considerations

If you have a dog that loves to bask in the sun, you can consider having a water fountain outside. There are even water fountains that come with apps to let you track your dog’s water intake and filter age.