Keeping your dog hydrated is essential for his overall health and well-being. Don't feel bad if you've forgotten to fill your pet's bowl once or twice – we've all done it. Instead, try doing something to prevent it from happening again. Automatic dog water fountains, like this option from PetSafe, provide a constant flow of fresh, clean water.
Most high-quality dog water fountains, including the PetSafe Drinkwell Butterfly, have replaceable filters that remove impurities from the drinking water. They also aerate the water to keep it fresh at all times. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria, which exposes your pet to certain health risks.
Just like us, the majority of a dog's body is made of water. Unfortunately, some dogs don't drink enough water throughout the day. This can quickly lead to dehydration. One of the benefits of a fountain is that it entices your dog to drink more water than he would from a standard bowl. The general rule of thumb is that every dog should drink about 1 ounce of water for every 1 pound of their body weight each day.
Keep in mind that there are many variables that affect this. If your dog is extremely active, he'll need to drink more water. Likewise, if the weather is hot, your canine companion will need access to more water. Be sure to check with your vet if you are concerned about your dog's water intake for any reason.
PetSafe Drinkwell Butterfly Pet Fountain Review
Our dogs LOVE drinking from a fountain. When we travel, and they are forced to use a traditional dog bowl, they all drink much less water.
The PetSafe Drinkwell Butterfly Fountain has a carbon filter that removes impurities and bad taste from the water. It is also equipped with a foam filter that catches hair, debris, and dirt to keep the water as clean as possible.
It is made of BPA-free plastic, which is an important feature to look for. According to the Mayo Clinic, “BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. Some research has shown that BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects of BPA on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children. It can also affect children's behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure.”
The constant circulation of the fountain helps to prevent bacteria growth. You'll still need to clean the Drinkwell fountain at least once per week, but the company has made it as easy as possible.
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The fountain comes apart to make it easy to clean. This dog water fountain is also designed with no hard-to-clean nooks and crannies. You can also buy replacement filters to ensure that your dog always has clean water.
The drawback to this fountain is its size. It only holds 50 ounces of water. It is definitely designed for small/medium breeds, as you can see in my video review above. If you're looking for a water fountain for a larger dog or a multi-pet household, check out my review of the PetSafe Drinkwell 2-gallon Dog Fountain.
This PetSafe fountain sells for $26.95 on Amazon. This is a very reasonable price for the size of the fountain. If you have a small or medium breed, this fountain would be a good value for the cost.
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