Pet fountains that will keep your furry friend hydrated and happy

Which pet water fountains are best?

Staying hydrated when it’s hot out is just as important for pets as it is for their owners. Without enough drinking water, dogs and cats can develop complications and infections. However, sometimes a simple water bowl doesn’t entice them enough to drink their fair share.

Read more Hallmark star chats about new Christmas at Disney World movie

Pet water fountains encourage dogs and cats to drink more water throughout the day since they are more likely to drink from a source of fresh, running water. Whether you have dogs, cats or both, a pet water fountain can keep your furry friends hydrated and happy.

Things to consider when choosing a pet water fountain

Filtration

Most pet fountains will offer a simple foam filter to weed out hair and dust, as well as an activated carbon filter to rid the water of chemicals. Without these filters, hair, dust, dirt, saliva and bacteria can linger in the water, which isn’t fun for you or your pet.

Ease of cleaning

Pet fountains with sharp corners or crevices are more challenging to scrub clean. Also, some water fountains are dishwasher safe while others are not. Consider how often you’ll be cleaning your water fountain, whether it’s dishwasher safe and if it’s easy to take apart to clean individual parts.

Durability

While all pet fountains are ideally built to last, some materials show more wear and tear than others. Plastic water fountains will likely not last as long as stainless steel or ceramic fountains as they are more prone to cracking and scratching.

Appearance

There is a wide variety of choices regarding the look and feel of your pet fountain. Most fountains come in lighter colors or clear options. A few are available in black or darker colors. Some have designs on them, such as shapes or flowers, while others are more subtle. If your fountain sits in a common area, a subdued design may blend into your home better than a bold one.

Types of pet water fountains

Plastic pet water fountains

Plastic pet fountains are a more affordable option that will give you the best bang for your buck. Though they are more accessible, they are also the most breakable and prone to scratches. Be sure to clean any nooks and crannies extra carefully using a soft sponge.

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain

This BPA-free plastic pet fountain offers a large water capacity at a budget price. The long water spout encourages pets to sip straight from the waterfall or the small bowl below. It comes with replaceable carbon filters and a pre-filter.

Cat Mate Three-Level Pet Fountain

This fountain has three distinct levels of water bowls. It’s extra quiet with a long ramp below the waterfall and a quiet pump. This is a good choice for growing with your pet from baby through adulthood.

PetKit Automatic Pet Water Fountain

For a sleeker, smarter pet fountain, this 2-liter fountain has a “smart” mode to save energy, LED lights for water levels and filter changes, and it automatically shuts off when the water is low. A quadruple filtration system catches all debris, chemicals and ions.

Stainless steel pet water fountains

Opting for a stainless steel pet water fountain is a more hygienic option than those made with plastic. Stainless steel fountains are durable, lightweight, harmless to pets and often dishwasher-safe.

Read more Maxwell: The dog-doo debate is back. Can you put it in a neighbor’s trash?

Pioneer Pet Raindrop Fountain

This oval-shaped stainless steel water fountain is an affordable option if you’re upgrading from plastic to stainless. The spout is movable, and the main parts are dishwasher safe.

PetSafe Drinkwell Stainless 360 Multi-Pet Fountain

A larger stainless steel model is great for larger dogs or multiple pet households. The fountain has multiple spouts coming out of an adjustable spigot to customize the water flow. Foam and carbon filters work to clean the water.

ORSDA Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain

This stainless steel pet fountain has a large water tank and one central spout, which falls quietly into the oval bowl. The fountain comes in two large sizes: 2 liters and 3 liters. It also comes with six replacement filters, three scrubbing brushes and a silicone mat.

Ceramic pet water fountains

If you’re looking for a long-lasting water fountain for your pet that also looks nice in your home, ceramic pet fountains are your best choice. Ceramic fountains aren’t prone to scratches or tears, which can harbor bacteria that’s difficult to clean. Like stainless steel, ceramic fountains are durable, dishwasher-safe and harmless to pets.

PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Pagoda

This sizable ceramic drinking fountain offers three tiers of drinking water from the top, the two spouts and the lower water bowl. A foam filter captures hair while a carbon filter cleans the water. It’s a durable, aesthetically pleasing pet water fountain that can blend into your home decor in a few different colors.

iPettie Tritone Ceramic Cat Water Fountain

A circular design means this porcelain pet fountain is easier to clean than those with corners. It boasts a large 71-ounce capacity to keep pets hydrated without needing to constantly refill it. It’s equipped with a foam filter and carbon filter system. The 360-degree design also allows easier access for all pets.

Cepheus 360 Ceramic Pet Fountain

This three-tier water fountain for pets has an entirely ceramic base for easy cleaning and durability. A debris grid, fabric pre-filter and carbon filter capture and clean debris and chemicals in the water. The small pump is quiet and easy to clean.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Read more Update your kitchen with the best stainless steel dishwasher

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.