Is Pet Water Bottle Suitable for Dogs?
Pet water bottles appeal to many owners because spills and mess are greatly reduced, and the water does not get contaminated by food particles or debris.
However, pet water bottles are really suitable only for certain species of animals; specifically small pets like guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters which they usually sip small amounts of water at a time.
Dogs have completely different drinking needs and styles. When dogs drink, they need to lap up large quantities of water at a time, and they do this frequently. And they also drink more vigorously after a walk or run or when warm weathers call for it. Forcing a dog to extract water from a tiny nose of the water bottle is very inhumane!
Note: For outdoor use, I highly recommend using portable drinking “bowl” such as Pet Crew Handi-Drink or Drinkwell DW-HydroGo™ Pet Canteen (better option, image shown on the left). It’s very portable and convenient. Add a nylon sling to it and it can be slanged across your body—handsfree!
Water bottles require considerable effort on our dogs in order for them to quench their thirst. It is just not acceptable to have our dogs lick continuously at the nose a water bottle in order to obtain droplets of water.
Yes, I’m aware pet stores have water bottle in every cage where there’s a pup or two in it. Common practice by majority doesn’t make it right nor acceptable. Certainly this practice should not to be continued once you bought the pet store pup home.
So give your dog a water bowl, and clean and replenish it daily, twice or thrice daily if you’re so inclined to keep the water fresh and clean always. Of course, Drinkwell Pet Fountain does all that and more without you lifting a finger.
One benefit, I dare say, of giving dog water bottle to drink only serve to our convenience, nothing for our dogs.
If convenience is of that important to you, wouldn’t your daily chores be a whole lot easier without a pet dog?
Jun 22nd 2009
8:54 PM
I disagree with the article: “Is Pet Water Bottles Suitable for Dogs?” except for one statement.
I am the inventor of the Pet Adjustable Water Stands and I have six dogs that all use a water bottle to drink from. They range in size from small to large.
Nothing and I mean NOTHING is more important to me than the health and well-being of my dogs and the pets of my customers. I firmly belive that God will hold me accountable for my actions and I could not in good conscience sell a product that I knew was not healthy to a pet as one day I will stand before Him.
Just like most people I used a bowl of water that sat on the floor to provide water to my pets. In an attempt to house break my two Shih Tzus I purchased the water bottles and cages as suggested by websites on the Internet. At the time I only had three dogs, my two Shih Tzus and Tali a stray I rescued off the street.
One day I saw Tali go into the cage and drink from the water bottle. I immediatedly went to the kitchen and looked at the bowl of water.. the water was clean and the floor was dry. I checked my Shih Tzus and their faces were dry. None of my dogs were drinking from the water bowl. This discovery led to my inventions.
Since then I have added three more dogs to my family and each time a new member came into my home I put down a water bowl for them. Within days none of them would use it, they preferred the water bottle.
I live in Florida and during the summer I bathe my dogs outside and with six dogs it can take several hours to accomplish. Testing, I put out a big water bowl and several of my water stands. None of the dogs would drink from the water bowl.
The author states: “Dogs have completely different drinking needs and styles. When dogs drink, they need to lap up large quantities of water at a time, and they do this frequently. And they also drink more vigorously after a walk or run or when warm weathers call for it. Forcing a dog to extract water from a tiny nose of the water bottle is very inhumane!”
Now maybe the author of this article is not familar with the large diameter drinking tubes that are now available on the water bottles and all that are offered on my website.
The only part I agree with in this article is when the pet has been vigorously active, especially the larger pets and then a water bowl may be more appropriate, if they will drink from it.
The author also states: “One benefit, I dare say, of giving dog water bottle to drink only serve to our convenience, nothing for our dogs.” I disagree, I believe my dogs benefit also.
With a water bottle, my dogs water is ALWAYS clean, has no dirt, no food particles, no leaves or bugs, no saliva from another dog and my dogs stay dry, especially my Shih Tzus. They no longer have wet stinky faces that they were constantly rubbing against my furniture or even a tree outside trying to scratch. I know they are happier and more comfortable with dry faces.
Sincerely,
Betsie Rakoczy
PAWS Creations
Jul 30th 2009
5:33 AM
I also have shih tzu’s and I agree with Betsie.