How to Make an Automatic Pet Fountain

Commercially-made automatic pet fountains can be expensive, and if you can't find replacement parts, you may have to purchase a whole new unit when a part breaks. You can make your own pet drinking fountain, however, using inexpensive household items. Whether you have large pets or small pets, making your own automatic pet fountain can be a simple, cost-effective solution.

Things You'll Need

  • Small square plastic tub, no more than 6 to 8 inches long per side
  • Sharp knife
  • Spiral saw (optional)
  • 5-gallon plastic water bottle
  • 18-qt. plastic tub
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a sharp knife or a spiral saw set on low speed to cut a circular hole into the bottom of the small, square plastic tub. The hole should be sized to fit snugly over the upper part of the 5-gallon plastic water bottle, about 4 or 5 inches down from its mouth. Make sure the small plastic tub has cut-out handles.

    • 2

      Place the small plastic tub--facing upright--over the 5-gallon water bottle and put the mouth of the water bottle through the hole in the plastic tub. Make sure the two objects have a tight fit.

    • 3

      Fill the 5-gallon water bottle with water. Hold the water bottle and small plastic tub over the 18-qt. plastic container, then turn the water bottle upside down. Stand the water bottle and small plastic tub inside the larger plastic container.

    • 4

      Allow the 18-qt. plastic tub to fill with water. The water level should fill to approximately 3 inches deep. As your pet drinks the water in the 18-qt. plastic container, the water from the bottle will automatically refill the tub.

    • 5

      Remove the water bottle from the 18-qt. plastic tub to refill it with water as needed. You don't need to remove the small plastic tub from the water bottle to fill it.