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A water fountain keeps a stream of filtered water moving, and some dogs drink from one more readily than from a still bowl.
Whether it suits your bulldog depends on your dog, your home and how much cleaning you will do. This page covers what to check and compares four fountains described from their Amazon listings (we have not tested them).
It is general information, not veterinary advice.
Do You Need One?
A bowl of clean, fresh water is all most dogs need, and it should be changed and washed regularly. Puppies, very active dogs and dogs in warm climates drink more, according to PetMD, and dogs on canned food drink less. A fountain can make fresh water more appealing, and makers say it encourages drinking, but we found no study showing it improves kidney or liver health, so treat that as the maker’s claim.
Watch how much your dog drinks. PetMD says that persistently drinking a lot, or urinating more often, can be a sign of illness and to contact your vet promptly, and urgently if it comes with vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, reduced appetite, severe panting, weakness or collapse. To measure, fill the bowl to the same level at the same time each day. Never restrict water unless your vet tells you to.
Bulldogs overheat easily (the AKC says they handle heat poorly), so fresh water should always be within reach, indoors and out.
What To Check Before You Buy
- Capacity and size: the listings below range from 100 oz (about 3 L) to 4 gallons (about 15 L); choose for the number of dogs and how often you can refill.
- Power: most fountains use a low-voltage pump and a cord; keep the cord out of reach of a chewing puppy, and check the maker’s instructions. The gravity waterer below needs no pump.
- Cleaning: follow the maker’s instructions for washing parts (some are top-rack dishwasher safe) and for changing filters.
- Height: a raised bowl or tier may suit a senior dog, but ask your vet if your dog has joint problems.
4 Water Fountains To Compare
PetSafe Drinkwell Stainless Multi-Pet Fountain
PetSafe Drinkwell Stainless Steel Multi-Pet FountainA plug-in stainless steel fountain holding about 3.8 L, with a replaceable carbon filter and an adjustable stream. Steel is easy to wash, so clean the parts regularly as the maker advises.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a 128 oz (about 3.8 L) stainless-steel fountain with a replaceable carbon filter and foam pre-filter, with 1 to 5 adjustable streams. The seller says the stainless steel is hygienic and that the moving water encourages drinking.
PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Fountain
PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet FountainA plug-in fountain with two bowls at different heights, which the listing says suits older pets who find it hard to bend down. It holds about 3 L and uses a replaceable carbon filter.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a 100 oz (about 3 L) fountain with two bowl tiers, which the seller says suits senior or arthritic pets, an open-bowl design so water stays available in a power cut, and a replaceable carbon filter.
PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Cat & Dog Fountain
PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Cat and Dog FountainA plug-in fountain holding about 5 L, with a free-falling stream, a carbon filter and a ramp to cut splashing. The listing says it is for indoor use only, so keep the cord away from a chewing dog.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a 168 oz (5 L) fountain with a free-falling stream, a carbon filter and pre-filter, a receiving ramp to reduce splashing and rubber feet, with dishwasher-safe top-rack parts (not the pump), a 12 V low-voltage system and a cord of about 1.7 m, for indoor use only.
Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer with Microban, 4 Gallon
Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer With MicrobanA gravity waterer holding about 15 L that refills the bowl as your dog drinks. It has no pump or cord, and the listing mentions a charcoal filter.Check price on AmazonAffiliate link — Dog Fluffy may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.The listing describes a 4-gallon (about 15 L) gravity waterer that refills the bowl as the dog drinks, with a charcoal filter installed and BPA-free PET plastic, made in the USA. It has no pump or cord.
Conclusion
A fountain can be a nice extra, but fresh water in a clean bowl is what matters. Wash the parts, change the filter as the maker says, watch how much your bulldog drinks, and call your vet if their drinking changes.
