Best automatic pet water dispensers

Keep your furry bestie hydrated with an automatic pet water dispenser
Best overall
Best large capacity
PetSafe Drinkwell Pet Fountain
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
  • pro
    7.5L capacity
  • pro
    Adjustable water flow
Best gravity water dispenser
Best smart water dispenser
Best no-mess water dispenser

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Georgia Dixon
May 20, 2024
Icon Time To Read4 min read

Every pet parent knows their furry friend needs 24/7 access to fresh water, but that can be difficult to stay on top of when you work long hours or have to spend decent chunks of time apart from your pet.

If you're constantly coming home to an empty water bowl and a thirsty furbaby, an automatic pet water dispenser might be the solution you're after. Depending on its capacity, it can keep your pet hydrated for days at a time, and some models even include filters to ensure they're getting the cleanest water possible.

Sounds good, right? Check out our picks for the best automatic pet water dispensers.



Compare the best automatic pet water dispensers

Product
Best for
Price
Capacity
Water filter
Remote control and scheduling
Learn more
Best overall2.5LYesNo
Best large capacity7.5LYesNo
Best smart water dispenser2LYesYes
Best gravity water dispenser3.7LNoNo
Best no-mess water dispenser2LNoNo

Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

1. Nugget Smart Pet Drinking Fountain: Best automatic pet water dispenser overall

Best overall
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Products designed for pets don't often look aesthetically pleasing, but the Nugget Smart Pet Drinking Fountain perfectly blends stylish design with excellent functionality.

It comes with a 2.5L capacity tank, and the water is continuously filtered through a hair catcher and replaceable filter that removes all hair and debris, leaving only clean, fresh water for your pet.

Replacement filters are affordable and easy to switch, and there's even a Smart Mode that saves power and reduces the frequency of filter replacements.

The silent pump ensures that this water fountain clocks in at less than 20 decibels, so you won't have to deal with any annoying noise, and two lights on the fountain will alert you when the tank needs refilling.

pro
Pros
pro 2.5L capacity
pro Silent pump
pro Continuous filtration
con
Cons
con No app for custom scheduling

2. PetSafe Drinkwell Pet Fountain: Best large capacity automatic water dispenser

Best large capacity
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

It may not win any awards for its looks, but if you've got one or more pets, you won't find a bigger or better water dispenser than the PetSafe Drinkwell Pet Fountain.

With its massive 7.5L capacity, this drinking fountain will keep your pets (very) hydrated for days at a time. Plus, because the water is always circulating through not one, but two replaceable filters, your furry friends will always have access to clean, fresh, debris-free water.

Although this water dispenser lacks any app for custom scheduling or remote control, we do like that you can manually adjust the water flow to suit your pets.

pro
Pros
pro 7.5L capacity
pro Adjustable water flow
pro Suits multiple pets
con
Cons
con No app for custom scheduling
Light Bulb
What about food?

Want to keep your pet both watered and fed while you're out and about? Consider pairing a water fountain with an auto feeder for an easy, reliable way to feed your cat or dog at regular intervals. To learn more, read our guide to the best automatic pet feeders.

3. Tech4Pets Smart Water Fountain: Best smart automatic pet water dispenser

Best smart
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Tech4Pets Smart Water Fountain is one of only a few automatic pet water dispensers on the market that is controlled via an app. Why does that matter? Well, through the Laser SmartHome app, you can create custom schedules to turn the fountain on only when you need it. Got a pup who sleeps in your bedroom? If the fountain is placed elsewhere in the house, you can schedule it to turn off between bedtime and morning, saving you power (and money) in the long run. You'll also get alerts directly to your phone when water is running low.

It's also got a UV filter and replaceable carbon filter to keep the water fresh and clean, and a silent pump that won't disturb you during the day. That said, we did find it began making a gurgling sound when the water got below a certain point, however, some may enjoy the sound. It's like a bonus water feature!

pro
Pros
pro 2L capacity
pro App controlled for custom scheduling
pro Silent pump
con
Cons
con Makes noise when dips below certain water level

4. Amazon Basics Gravity Pet Waterer: Best gravity pet water dispenser

Best gravity water dispenser
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you're on a budget and don't care about any filtration or smart features, the Amazon Basics Gravity Pet Waterer does the job just fine.

This water dispenser uses gravity to ensure a full bowl of water for your pet, and the easy-to-refill tank can hold up to 3.78L. That said, with no pump or filtration, that water can get stale if left for more than a day or so.

Since it doesn't require any power, you can place it just about anywhere, and it's got non-skid rubber feet so it should stay put even when used by big, messy drinkers.

pro
Pros
pro 3.7L capacity
pro Affordable
pro No power required
con
Cons
con No pump or filtration
con No smart features

5. Decflow Spill Proof Water Bowl: Best no-mess pet water dispenser

Best no-mess
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Got a messy drinker on your hands? The Decflow Spill Proof Water Bowl features an ingenious splash-proof floating cover that gives your pet access to water without allowing them to turn their feeding area into a small swimming pool.

It'll also slow them down, ensuring they don't drink too fast, and thanks to the anti-skid base, it won't go flying across the floor if used by a too-eager drinker.

Although it lacks any filtration or pump, it's an affordable and easy-to-clean option that doesn't require batteries or a nearby power point.

pro
Pros
pro 2L capacity
pro Splash-proof design
pro No power required
con
Cons
con No pump or filtration
con No smart features

Final word

Automatic pet water dispensers are fantastic for forgetful pet parents, keeping our furry friends hydrated all day long. Our top pick, the Nugget Smart Pet Drinking Fountain, will suit just about any pet and household, but there are options out there for every budget.

FAQ

We recommend giving your automatic pet water dispenser a thorough clean (not just a quick rinse with water!) at least once a week.

Yes, as long as they are used properly and monitored regularly.

For both cats and dogs, around 50ml per kilogram of body weight per day is ideal. That would equate to about 1.5L per day for a Golden Retriever, 350ml for a Jack Russel, and about 250ml for a medium cat.

Of course, those numbers may change depending on the age and activity level of your pet.

How we reviewed the best automatic pet water dispensers

To find the best fit for a range of pets and budgets, we extensively researched all the automatic pet water dispensers available in Australia, testing whichever ones we could. We looked at price, key features, ease of use, and customer reviews to learn which feeders were worth your hard-earned cash.

You can learn more about how we review products by checking out our methodology.


Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
Georgia Dixon
Written by
Georgia Dixon has 10 years of experience writing about all things tech, entertainment and lifestyle. She has bylines on Reviews.org, 7NEWS, Stuff.co.nz, in TechLife magazine and more. In 2023 she won Best News Writer at the Consensus IT Awards, and in 2024 she was a finalist for Best News Journalist at the Samsung IT Journalism Awards (The Lizzies). In her spare time, you'll find her playing games and daydreaming about good food, wine, and dogs.

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