Similar to humans, dogs require some basic needs to keep them healthy and happy. These include foods and water, which is unfortunately often neglected. While dogs may drink from an ordinary water bowl, there are some disadvantages encountered by installing the ordinary water bowl for your dog to drink from. A water bowl can easily be contaminated with bacteria, as well as dog hair and debris. In addition, dogs are often reluctant to drink stagnant water. Instead, they often prefer moving water, which is more fun and interesting for them to chase.
Benefits of using dog automatic water feeder
A food and water dish is something essential for every pet. There are various types and brands of pet feeders you can choose according to your needs. However, these food and water feeders are not the same. They work quite differently and thereby, possess various benefits as well as disadvantages. Elaborated earlier is some benefits and disadvantages of an ordinary pet bowl, which is in fact, very popular among pet owners.
Another popular type of pet feeder is an automatic water feeder, and therefore, knowing some benefits of using this model should be essential, especially before you decide to purchase which model of the automatic dog water feeders.
Automatic water feeders work by gravity or electronically. Compared to an ordinary dog water bowl, an automatic water feeder for dog may be more expensive. Yet, they can also be more effective and hygienic.
An automatic dog water feeder best suits those dog owners who are often away from their pets during feeding time. This type of dog water feeder is also suitable for those who want to spend less time filling the bowl
Since an automatic water feeder regulates the portion of water given to the pets in a certain time period, bacterial infestation can be minimized. This is quite contradictory to the use of a conventional water bowl that stays open and therefore, is susceptible to bacterial contamination. Moreover, some high-end automatic water feeders may circulate water through a carbon filter to remove impurities. This will not only help inhibit bacteria growth, but also helps keep the dog’s water cooler and fresher.
Choosing your automatic dog water feeder
In addition to help prevent bacteria growth and minimize the bowl-filling frequency, using an automatic dog water feeder can also be fun for your pets. Dogs are more interested to moving water compared to the stagnant one and hence, moving water in a water feeder can encourage your four-legged friend to drink more water and keep their body well-hydrated, which is recommended for the health.
There are a couple of types of automatic dog water feeders you can use for your dogs: the automatic water bowls and water cooler dispensers, and pet fountains. While the former type is commonly affordable and easier to find, the latter one is definitely more costly. Pet fountains are also harder to repair when broken, compared to the ordinary automatic pet water bowl and dispensers. However, these fountains certainly add some fun to your dog’s drinking time. They also add some decorative effects to the entire space, which is a good thing to consider.
A couple of other things you need to put into account before purchasing a helpful automatic dog water feeder are enlisted below:
The material
Pet automatic water feeders commonly come in plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic. While the stainless steel and ceramic might be higher-end options, plastic-made automatic feeders can be a good option for those on budget, as long as the plastic is BPA-free. Stainless steel provides cooler water, while ceramics give a modern, beautiful touch to your interior. BPA-free plastic, on the other hand, is safer for active dogs, as it is not easily breakable.
The size
Using an automatic dog water feeder, right portion and amount of water to be given to the dog can be determined more easily. Therefore, choosing the right size of the dispenser is essential. Your dog breed will help determine how much water they need to consume in daily basis. Larger dog water dispensers can be heavy when filled with water, though.
How to clean
You can also choose an automatic water feeder for your dog based on how it should be washed. Some bowls and dispensers attached to an automatic feeder are dishwasher-safe and therefore, can be washed more easily. An automatic pet water fountains, on the contrary, might be more complicated to clean and wash.
Noise
Pet water fountains are fun for your dogs. Yet, they can be quite noisy if you fail to refill the water. Dog water dispensers, on the other hand, might not be as noisy as the fountains, although some dogs might be frightened by the gulping sound it may make while refilling water through the hole.
Outdoor or indoor
Another important consideration before purchasing an automatic water feeder is where you are going to put the feeder in. An automatic watering bowl is effective
Best Dog Automatic Water Feeder
Once you decide which type of dog automatic water feeder to purchase, take a look at this simple list displaying some of the best dog automatic water feeders in the market.
1. H2O Animal Hydration Flow Automatic Waterer
If you are looking for an automatic water feeder for outdoor use, this simple automatic water bowl can be chosen. The H2O waterer attaches to any garden hose to provide constant flow of fresh drinking water for your pet. You can simply put it in the garden to keep your pet hydrated without being worried of having them flipping it, causing major problem indoor. In fact, this waterer is not only suitable for home pets, but can also be used for goats, sheep, birds, and other outdoor pets.
The bowl is made from heavy-duty stainless steel which promotes easy cleaning. The blue-colored bowl half-cover is made from high-density polypropylene, which is strong and safe for your pets. This metal bowl is brittle-free and helps to keep the water cool and fresh during hot weather. To avoid rust, place the bowl that allows air to flow under it and you are ready to go.
This H2O automatic pet water feeder can might not be easy to be placed on unleveled ground. Yet, you can easily rig a way to secure it. You can also put an adapter on it so that you can still pop the hose for another use or bowl cleaning.
The bowl has a right size for cats, birds, goats, and small-breed dogs, and can be placed almost anywhere outside. Since the bowl is made from metal and gets quite warm in the sun, you can put the waterer in a shady area to feed fresher water for the pets.
2. H2O Animal Hydration Aqua Buddy 2-Quart Series Automatic Waterer
The H2O Aqua Buddy automatic waterer connects to any garden hose to provide consistent fresh water flow for your pets when you are away from home. You can connect the hose directly or use an adaptor to allow the hose for another use.
The waterer is made from durable polypropylene, which is easy to clean and sun resistant. It is quite significant to find a dog waterer that does not change color sue to excessive sun exposure, as rust may decrease dog’s appetite to drink as well.
The size of this automatic waterer—12 x 11 x 5.5 inch—fits any dog breeds, cats, any other pets or animals in need of adequate hydration. Operated automatically, this one of the best automatic waterers for dogs will not over flow. It is also easy to install and provide excellent supply of moving water for dogs, birds, cats, and other animals wandering around the garden.
Although due to its wide opening, this waterer does require frequent cleaning, this is a very easy and quick thing to do, so nothing is to be worried about.
3. Bergan Gourmet Petite Combo Dog Automatic Water Feeder
This automatic water feeder by Bergan Gourmet is a nice option should you are considering a dog automatic water feeder for indoor use. This big-gallon water dispenser provides a sufficient water supply for your pets inside the house. You can basically put this feeder anywhere in the house, since it is not attached to either house or cable to work.
The petit combo series include one waterer with 1.5-gallon capacity and one feeder that holds up to 6lb dog dry food. Considering the size, this automatic water feeder suits your either small or large breed dogs and can also be used for cats or rabbits kept indoor. The feeder has a wide opening, making it simple to fill and keep sanitary. The base dispenser is equipped with an adequate-sized wall to minimize food and water mess.
The Bergan Gourmet water feeder is great for multiple pets, as it is easy to install and sturdy enough not to be knocked over or scooted around. It is also travel-friendly and can be brought along to keep your pet hydrated during traveling. The combo is made from BPA-free plastic, ensuring safety for you and your furry buddies. It has also been tested in a professional laboratory to ensure a high level of quality and safety before thrown to the market.
The water feeder, in addition, releases water at a slow, steady pace that is right for your pets without startling them with a loud, disturbing gulp sound.
4. Critter Concepts Automatic Dog Waterer
The dog water dispenser 5.0 gallons is an automatic dog water feeder working by gravity. Unlike the other dog water dispensers, this Critter Concepts dog water dispenser is refilled by opening its top lid, making water filling easier. You do not need to lift and invert a heavy plastic jug.
In addition to be easy to fill, this water dispenser for dog is also easy to move, as it is rolling on 3 inch locking wheels. Thereby, you can install this dispenser at any corner of the house, indoor or outdoor. You can roll the dispenser to the water source and roll back out to the dog run, porch, or yard.
This dog water dispenser is equipped with a food grade container made in the USA. This container is FDA approved and is made without any BPA. Hence, it is fully safe for the pets. The dispenser has a yellow drain plug that enables you to easily drain the water and replace and re-fresh it. It is also very easy to clean every corner of the container. There will be no place for any bacteria to grow up and infest your pet’s water anymore.
If you find out that the contained water gets warmer, simply freeze a gallon-size water to make a huge ice cube and put it into the container to cool the water down. This will not only please the dog, but also prevent algae from growing inside the container. You can also use a cooler insulated cover to keep the water temperature lower when placing the dispenser outside.
This Critter Concepts dog waterer is the best water feeder that you can easily assemble and disassemble. Packing it is also simple and easy, making the dispenser a nice companion for pets to go to the park or event. It becomes even simpler, since no electrics are needed to deal with. The package comes with extra sealing gaskets and food grade lubricant for the rubber seals.
This automatic dog waterer will specifically suit large dogs, although small dogs will also be happy to drink from it. The water bowl, unlike other water feeders, is not at a ground level, making drinking more convenient for large or tall dogs. In addition, this big-volume dispenser allows multiple dog drinking, which is nice for dog owners with multiple four-legged buddies in the house.
Made from a durable material, the company guarantees its durability. Customer reviews confirmed this as well. Some dog owners have been using the dispenser for over two years without any noticeable problems.
5. K&H Manufacturing Clean Flow Water Filter Bowl with Reservoir
What is great about automatic dog water feeders is that some of them are equipped with a filter that help maintain the quality of water you are giving to the pets. The K&H clean flow water feeder is the best dog water feeder that comes with a built-in water filter to ensure clean, bacteria-free water for your dogs and other pets.
Manufactured in response to some too-noisy automatic water bowl for dogs in the market, this K&H clean flow water feeder circulates water through a filter with quiet design which makes both of you and your pets equally happy. This bowl works with no splash to minimize spill and mess all over the floor.
The K&H clean flow water filtration bowl features high flow filtration, splash proof and silent design, easy to clean bowl, which are some essential benefits you have been seeking. It is also easy to assemble and disassemble and its bowl is dishwasher safe, causing no hassle for you.
The bowl features a high circular flow of water to attract your pet’s attention and encourage them to drink more. The product is available in three different sizes for dogs and a size especially for cats. With a charcoal infused filter, the bowl helps you save time and energy required for water-filling and bowl-cleaning, as the filter itself filters a full bowl up to 130 times per hour to remove impurities.
The beauty of this K&H water bowl also lies to its ability to keep draining water even when the power goes out because the mechanical part is the pump to circulate the water and keep it aerated. The whole dispenser, otherwise, is gravity fed so that you do not have to worry about your dog getting insufficient water while you are away from home.
To clean the dispenser, you will need to rinse off the filter and the bowl before refilling the water. This is very easy and can be done within minutes. The filter, fortunately, is reasonably priced so that you can afford to change them as frequently as you feel it has stopped working sufficiently. The reservoir adds another benefit to the dispenser. It is perfect in size and has a pop-on cap that prevents water from spilling when you reattach it.
Although the device does not trigger much splashes, putting it on a mat is suggested, as the dog lapping water will inevitably splash a bit.
