Top 5 Best Pet Fountain Replacement Filters

For busy dog owners, pet fountains are great in how they help to save time and energy. They're also beneficial for dogs who often forget to drink enough water. Automatic water fountains for dogs not only provide fresh water, but also filter out impurities. If you've got one of those automatic pet fountains for your dog, you're going to need the best pet fountain replacement filters.

Most dog owners believe that their pet will drink enough water throughout the day all on his own. Unfortunately, this isn't the case, yet proper hydration is important to maintain your dog's overall health and well-being. Just like ours, the canine body is largely comprised of water. Hydration helps to maintain healthy organs, tissues and supporting dog's blood circulation.

Dogs do not enjoy drinking warm, stagnant water. Would you? If the only water available has been in a bowl on the floor for the last few days without being refreshed, your dog will likely pass on drinking it even if he's thirsty.

Then Fido will start to look for new sources of water. Puddles, ponds, pools and other unsafe sources may be the next place your pup looks looks to drink from and risk water intoxication. If the dog can't find another source of water, he may just go without drinking at all if the provided H2O doesn't entice him, risking dehydration.

Automatic dog water bowls and pet fountains provide a constantly circling cold water for dogs, and they have filters that remove impurities from that water . Over time, these pet fountain filters become dirty and need to be changed. So here's a quick look at the best pet fountain replacement filters we'll be discussing in this article:

* Click on the pet fountain filter brand for more information and prices, or scroll down below for more details.

Dehydration in dogs and not drinking enough water at home

A lot of dog owners don't realize that their pets can become dehydrated just as easily as we can. The problem is that dogs may not be aware of the signs of dehydration. Yet it is a very serious and, unfortunately, common problem that poses serious health risks for dogs and that vets often encounter.

The result is damage to your dog's vital organs – his kidneys, livers and heart in particular – that could be fatal. It's not that unusual to forget to replenish a dog's water bowl, but it could have disastrous consequences.

To understand dehydration in dogs better (and how to prevent it), I recommend you take a look at this science-based document (PDF). They explain why dogs go without drinking for long periods of time and how you can prevent dehydration in your dog.

Pet water fountains for dogs are a great way to entice your pooch to drink enough liquids, but you need to be sure the fountain filter is clean. If not, bacteria and debris could continue to circulate through the water. By regularly switching the old filter out with one of the best pet fountain replacement filters, you'll ensure Fido's water is clean and fresh.

What are the Pet Fountain Replacement Filters?
top 5 best filters for automatic dog water bowls

1 PetSafe Drinkwell Premium Carbon Filters

Filtration makes water clean, fresh and safe to drink. It also helps extend the lifespan of your fountain and pump. PetSafe replacement filters provide total water purification using duo-density polyester pads. The pad traps fur, fine debris, and sediments invisible to the naked eye, while the carbon layer removes chlorine, odors and bad tastes to ensure fresh water at all times. These replacement filters are available in packs of 3, 6 and 9, with each pad segmented into 6 compartments for more effective filtration.

• Pet water fountain filter reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners

The PetSafe Drinkwell Premium Carbon Replacement Filters are compatible with PetSafe Drinkwell Original, Big Dog, Everflow, Mini, Multi-Tier, Outdoor Dog, Platinum and Zen pet fountains. These filters must have really improved the water’s quality and appeal because pet owners observed their pets drinking more often than usual. This has been especially advantageous for pets that needed proper hydration, such as those with urinary tract and kidney issues.

The reason for this quality could be from the materials used, which are coconut shells. PetSafe uses them because they’re 50% more carbon-packed than most brands, they absorb more contaminants than the average filter. For 3-4 weeks, the filters will do the work of ensuring clean and good-tasting water, after which they’d have to be replaced and the fountain cleaned for proper maintenance.

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “These filters work fine as replacements. I have found however that they must be rinsed much more thoroughly than the filters we had previously. Otherwise we found powdered charcoal settling out in the bottom of the water…”

2 PetStandard Premium Charcoal Filters for PetSafe Drinkwell Fountains

The Premium Charcoal Filters from PetStandard come in a well-priced pack of 10 filters giving it an economical advantage over other brands. They’re perfectly safe to use and fit well with all models of PetSafe Drinkwell pet water fountains. The filter is made up of two filtration layers. The lighter side is a high-density polyester filter, while the darker side is a charcoal filter. The polyester filter traps hair, debris, and physical impurities. The charcoal filter absorbs nasty smells and taste, and helps eliminate chemical compounds usually found in water.

• Pet water fountain filter reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners

What’s more, each pad is equally divided into 6 compartments for an even distribution of charcoal. This prevents charcoal powder from settling at the bottom of the filter. Unlike pet bowls that need to be cleaned every 2-3 days, the pet fountain can take a full 4-week stretch before it really needs cleaning. It does need an efficient filter to maintain water quality within that period, and pet owners attest to the high quality of PetStandard Premium Charcoal Filters for PetSafe Drinkwell Fountains.

Most users prefer replacing the filters monthly which often coincides with the monthly cleaning of the water fountain. Households with numerous pets, though, may need to change the filter at least twice a month. The 10-pad filter pack is a steal of a deal, too, say pet owners. A pack actually lasts several months even for those who need to change filters as often as twice monthly, and pet owners simply can’t resist buying these economical and convenient replacement filters.

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “These filters are not quite the same as the Drinkwell originals. For one thing, they are slightly thinner, and for another, they are slightly smaller on every edge. This means that the filter doesn't fit snugly into the filter…”

3 Pioneer Pet Replacement Filters for Ceramic and Stainless Steel Fountains

This replacement filter from Pioneer Pet is specifically designed for the following pet fountains: Raindrop Ceramic, Raindrop Stainless Steel, Big Max Ceramic and Big Max Stainless Steel. Pioneer replacement filters are available in packs of 3, 9 and 18. This product features a 3-layer filtration system including a layer of granulated carbon which protects your pets from harmful bacteria and unpleasant odors or taste. The duo-density polyester pad keeps the water free from dirt, hair, and other debris. The product measures 3/4-in x 4-in x 2 ½-in.

• Pet water fountain filter reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners

Pet owners attest to the water-cleansing quality of Pioneer Pet Replacement Filters for Ceramic and Stainless Steel Pet Fountains in promoting good health in their pets. Some say that they change filters every 2 weeks at the same time that they clean the fountain. Others who clean their fountains weekly simply wash the filters through running water and only replace them after several repeat uses. This way, they report having extended the life of the filter up to 4-6 weeks.

Some finicky pet owners found it really efficient when they replace the charcoal in the filter cartridge with activated charcoal as often as every week. It does entail extra work of removing pins and taking apart the plastic casing, though. They were delighted then when they observed the same freshness in water without the need to painstakingly go through their method. By regularly changing the whole filter using these replacements is a lot simpler.

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “Save Money and Keep Our Planet Green. Here's how to do it. Each of these little v-shaped filter cartridges is actually two plastic halves that snap together. Simply use a sharp kitchen knife to wedge between the two…”

4NISPIRA Premium Platinum Charcoal Water Filter Replacement for Drinkwell Pet Fountain

Replacement filters are designed to ensure that pets drink only clean water from the pet fountains. Filters make the difference in a water fountain, and the latter shouldn’t be used without the former. This 12-pack Premium Platinum Charcoal Water Filter Replacement by NISPIRA fully meets quality standards and contains food-grade activated charcoal. They’re individually wrapped and sealed to preserve their quality. These filters are made for specified Drinkwell Pet Fountain models including Drinkwell Original, Big Dog, Mini, Multi-tier, Outdoor and Platinum.

• Pet water fountain filter reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners

Pet owners are very glad with their purchase of these best pet fountain replacement filters because the pads fit their fountain perfectly. Some even observed that the fit of NISPIRA Premium Platinum Charcoal Water Filter Replacement for Drinkwell Pet Fountain is much better than the original filter that came with the fountain. The fused sections uniformly spread the charcoal throughout the area covered by the six sections and makes filtration much more effective. This fused sectioning also prevents charcoal from accumulating at the bottom.

Buyers find the 12-piece pack a great bargain. They feel that they saved a few bucks by buying in semi-bulk. They also observed that with regular cleaning of the fountain and the pump, they get to reuse the filter and extend its life for more than the suggested 2 weeks. This way, they continue to benefit from the filter over a longer period and the cost of the filter becomes easier on their pockets.

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review + PHOTO): “While these do fit the Drinkwell, they are vastly inferior to the name brand ones (and I don't often say that). They are almost completely devoid of charcoal. What is the point of getting a charcoal filter that has very little…”

5 Premium Platinum Charcoal Water Filter Replacement for Drinkwell Pet Fountain

THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Here’s another 12-pack of the best pet fountain replacement filters for Drinkwell Pet Fountains made by another manufacturer, PureGreen. This brand of filters has as much the same features as the other filters we have on our list. The lighter surface is polyester filter that traps physical impurities while the dark side is the charcoal filter. The activated charcoal content of this product is made from coconut shells. Activated carbon traps dirt and fine debris while keeping water tasting fresh and thus highly desirable to pets.

• Pet water fountain filter reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners

Pet owners know that using filtered water is a sure way to keep their pets well hydrated and out of harm's way from urinary disorders and other health problems transmitted through contaminated drinking water. This is the reason why they are willing to spend so much for water fountains and water filter supplies. Pets would eventually require tons of replacement filters in their lifetime so their owners are only too glad to have found a cheaper alternative in Premium Platinum Charcoal Water Filter Replacement for Drinkwell Pet Fountains.

Long-standing users of this product attest to its efficacy in supplying their pets with clean and fresh water all the time. They have had no issues with these filter pads in terms of compatibility to existing pet fountains and usefulness. According to them, these filters do the job and are a good replacement to the original filters in their Drinkwell Pet Fountain.

Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “The Platinum Pet Fountain I bought came with one filter so I purchased these as replacements. The filter fits OK, though not as snugly as the original that came with the Platinum Fountain. My primary issue with these replacement…”

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