Do dog faucets encourage students to drink more water? Experts answer

Getting a dog to drink enough water is easy for some pet parents, but it can be troublesome for others. And when the summer days come, many of us become worried that our furry friends aren’t drinking enough. If your dog tends to overheat, doesn’t like pouring liquids due to health issues, or just has trouble staying hydrated, you’ve probably been introduced to a dog fountain by someone. .

Water fountain for dogs provide an appealing source of clean water — but do they really entice your dog to drink more? And how much noise do they make? How much maintenance do they require? To find out, we tried several pet sprinklers, did a comprehensive review, and spoke with expert veterinarian Rebecca Greenstein to find out if these nifty gadgets really keep dogs healthy. your better hydrated or not.

How do dog sprinklers work?

Dog fountains give dogs access to filtered, fresh water without requiring you to constantly refill their bowls. Most dog fountains include a built-in filter that refreshes the water and removes hair and dirt.

Some include waterfalls or fountains to encourage pets to drink more — in theory, running water looks safer and more appealing to animals than standing pools of water. The splashing sound can also remind pets that there is water when they can walk by.

The preference for running water is especially common among cats, who tend to be more picky about water than their canine friends.

Pet fountains come in a variety of designs. Some are small — perfect for small breeds — while others can hold a large amount of water for households with many pets.

PetSafe Drinkwell is a good choice for families with multiple pets.

There are dog fountains that are raised off the ground to help older dogs and pets who can’t bend over much, while others favor low, wide bowls to accommodate friends and family. Short-legged cats who need to avoid fatigue.

Sprinklers also come in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic. Stainless steel tends to be the easiest to clean, while plastic is the lightest and easiest to move. Ceramics are meant to combat baby mice that tend to push and flip their bowls.

Some dog sprinklers are even designed for outdoor use, so your dog can stay hydrated while out in the backyard.

The PetSafe Drinkwell Outdoor Dog Fountain works in the backyard.

Pet fountains vary in noise levels depending on pump design and splashing capacity. If you place the fountain in a high-traffic area like the dining room, you may want to find a quieter option so you don’t have to compete with the noise at the dining table.

Dog Water Fountains: What’s on the Market

Plastic PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-tiered Pet Fountain is a good example of a fountain that can accommodate a large family of pets, especially of varying sizes. It holds 100 ounces (12.5 cups) of water and is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. A replaceable carbon water filter needs to be replaced every two to four weeks, but the low-voltage and free-falling submersible pumps are relatively quiet. Our test have found it to be one of the lower maintenance options available (though no fountain is a perfect fit).

For almost no pumping sound, Tomxcute stainless steel pet fountain very hard to beat. Its 1.5-watt pump is extremely silent, so you only hear the sound of running water. This dishwasher safe fountain is rust resistant and circulates 3.2 liters (13.5 cups) of water.

Tomxcute stainless steel pet fountain keeps the sound low.

Dogs love nothing more than a sunny afternoon in the backyard PetSafe Drinkwell Indoor/outdoor water fountain for dogs. It holds a staggering 450 ounces (56 cups) of liquid and includes a carbon filter that continuously refreshes the water. UV-resistant plastic prevents sun damage, and it can also be used indoors — but we think its substantial footprint could make it a better outdoor choice for most people. all pet parents.

If sleek looks are your priority, we love round shapes 360 Pet Stainless Steel PetSafe Fountain, filled with one gallon of water and features five water streams and dual filtration technology. Unfortunately, you pay a price for style — but its durability can cost you.

We think the PetSafe 360 ​​Stainless Steel Pet Fountain is super fashionable.

What the experts say about dog fountains

For an expert dog sprinkler opinion, I spoke with Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, who emphasized the importance of providing water for dogs. One of the top jobs we have to do as pet parents is to keep our dogs healthy and hydrated, especially on hot summer days. Dr. Greenstein stresses: “Keeping your dog hydrated should be an owner’s top priority in the summer.

Whether or not a dog fountain gets the job done depends on the dog. It is important to know and evaluate your dog’s drinking habits. “Some dogs get really excited by the flowing water of a fountain, and others you just can’t give them a drink if their lives depend on it,” Dr. Greenstein said. Greenstein said. “It’s a kind of learning to stealthily hydrate in a form they’re receptive to.”

In some cases, it may be due to the use of a dog sprinkler. In others, you may need to try something new, such as giving your puppy ice cubes to stay hydrated.

K_Thalhofer via iStock

Dr. Greenstein stresses it’s important not only to encourage your dog to drink enough water, but also to make sure their bowls are clean. “You want to make sure that whatever you’re using, you’re cleaning and disinfecting it regularly between uses so germs don’t build up,” she says. If a fountain is what keeps you up to date with maintenance, you’ll have more power!

Dr. Greenstein also cautions against using shared water bowls at dog parks or when out and about. “Be careful when sharing product with other dogs as some infectious diseases can be transmitted that way.” Dog water bottle is an answer to hydration on the go, helping pet parents avoid sharing water in public places.

Final Verdict: Does your dog need a sprinkler?

So are these dog sprinklers worth it? Probably!

Like most pet products we’ve reviewed, water fountain for dogs Will not be suitable for all dogs. While some dogs may enjoy having access to a running stream of filtered water, others may be less concerned. But if you’re looking for a solution to get your dog to drink more, especially if they have a health condition that makes hydration especially severe, a dog faucet is a good place to start. head.

Budget options like Pioneer Pet Swan Drinking Fountain great if you want a boost of moisture but aren’t sure about your pet’s drinking preferences.

They can also be a good investment for hot summers, when dogs are especially prone to dehydration and heatstroke. Plus, we’ve found that cats who share a puppy home appreciate something that filters out dog hair in a shared water system — so we think it’s smart for them to encourage drinking in the community. households with many pets.

101cats via iStock

However, a dog sprinkler isn’t the answer to hydration – the filter must be changed every few weeks and the faucet bowl needs to be washed regularly. So if you’re looking to cut down on your workload, a dog sprinkler probably won’t dramatically change the amount of energy you’re using to water your dog.

There is also the cost of filters to consider. While most refillable filters are fairly affordable, the cost over time makes a dog fountain an ongoing investment.

Our bottom line? If you already have a good watering device on hand, a dog sprinkler probably won’t significantly change your dog’s watering schedule. If you have a puppy that needs encouragement to drink water or a household with many pets to provide, a pet sprinkler can be a great solution.

How do we choose?

The products featured here are selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, comprehensive review of customer reviews across multiple retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary professionals. , including Rover’s Dog People Panel. We rate dog sprinklers based on capacity, usability, noise level, and maintenance requirements. We are also guided by our own experience of living and playing with our own much-loved and steadfast pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

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