Water Dispensers for Pets

Getting enough water is essential for your pet, who can dehydrate quickly, especially in hot weather. Instead of worrying about changing his water constantly, providing him a water dispenser gives you more time to relax without worrying about giving him more water. Dispensers exist for indoor and outdoor uses.

  1. Amount Necessary

    • Dogs and cats need plenty of water each day, typically based on their body weight. Dogs usually need half an ounce to a full ounce of water every day per pound. If your dog weighs 25 pounds, for example, he'll need between 12 1/2 and 25 ounces of water per day. Most cats need 5 to 10 ounces of water per day, depending on whether they eat mostly dry or canned cat food. In hot weather, your pet might need more water.

    Indoor Dispensers

    • Indoor dispensers don't need to hold up to bad weather, but they should be durable enough to withstand daily use. Many of these are plastic with water reservoirs that you fill in the sink. When you turn the reservoir upside down to install it on the bowl, it uses gravity to decide when to add more water to the bowl, helping to maintain a constant level. Cats, many of whom enjoy running water, might like fountain-style dispensers, where a motor pushes water out of the top of the dispense and lets it fall into the bowl below. Low, flat bowls are best because they're more difficult for pets to turn over.

    Outdoor Dispensers

    • Outdoor dispensers need to be sturdy enough to withstand the elements while providing refreshing water for your pet. Some of these are similar to indoor dispensers, but they often use thicker plastic. Others attach to a garden hose; when an interior float sinks too low, the hose allows more water into the bowl. Others use an on-demand system attached to the spigot, best used by dogs. When the dog presses a pedal, the dispenser provides a stream of water. These bowls also should be low to the ground and placed in the shade if possible to keep the sun from heating the water too much.

    Keeping Them Clean

    • Depending on the size of your pet, you might need to add water every few days or after more than a week. Cleaning your pet's water bowl with dish soap and hot water every time you change the water helps to ensure you remove dirt, saliva and bacteria from the bowl. Rinse the water reservoir with hot water before refilling it, using dish soap periodically to scrub it clean -- just be sure to rinse it thoroughly before adding water to you pet's dish.