Would you drink from a dirty dog water bowl contaminated with leaves, bugs and dried dog saliva?

Then why should your dog?

Okay, so maybe your dog’s water bowl isn’t so bad. 

You rinsed it off, your refilled it with tap water and plopped it on the floor.  That’s good enough for a dog, right?

In some cases, yes. 

But often, your dog simply won’t drink enough water.  Like humans, a dog will drink just about anything if thirsty enough.  But if the water isn’t inviting, then usually your dog will wait as long as possible to drink.

By not getting enough water, though, your dog’s organs work harder.  The added strain can shorten it’s lifespan.

Dogs can get urinary tract infections and painful kidney stones that go unnoticed by we humans.  Dehydration can lead to nausea, organ damage and even death.

So just because you toss down a dog water bowl, don’t assume your dog is getting enough to drink.

One way to determine if your dog is drinking enough is to measure how much water you give it. But really? Do you seriously need to add this task to your already large to-do list?

Actually, no. Not if you use the right kind of dog water bowl.

There are products out now that combine a dog water bowl with a small 1-2 gallon tank that automatically refills the dog’s bowl as it empties. 

Not only does this save you the hassle of refilling a dog bowl several times throughout the day, but it also gives you the ability to guage how much your dog is drinking.

Better still, is a pet water fountain that provides a stream of water.

Come, on, we’re kidding right?

No. There are actually important considerations behind this.

Stagnant water attracts bacteria and collects debris. Having a flowing stream that circulates through a carbon filter will provide a constant source of fresh water.

Moreover, dogs and cats are attracted to moving objects. The mere presence of moving water can act as an attention grabber and cause your dog to drink more.

Your dog must drink regularly thoughout the day to stay healthy and water is the second most important element for its survival next to oxygen.

While a simple plastic or metal dog water bowl has been the norm for years, they simply are outdated and can frankly be dangerous. 

A pet waterer or pet water fountain may seem like a pricey luxury until you realize the huge benefits it provides.

It’s a very small investment to ensure your dog is properly hydrated and not drinking water that is making it sick.