And while a pet fountain is a definite improvement over a stagnant water bowl, it is important to understand that not all pet fountains are created equally. There are actually some critical differences in the designs of cat and dog fountains. The main and most significant difference is the materials from which pet fountains are made. The three most popular materials are stainless steel, ceramic and plastic. Also, when it comes to quality and features, there are few brands that specialize in pet fountain design and who’s engineers are continuously working at creating the perfect pet water fountains. Some of those brands are Drinkwell, Pioneer Pet, Petmate and Petco.

Before purchasing a pet fountain for your dog or cat (or both!) there a few features that you should look for so that you’ll be sure you’re choosing the best pet fountain that will be just right for your needs.

To begin with, it’s important to get the proper size and water holding capacity for your household. If there are multiple pets or a large breed dog who will be using the fountain, then choose a larger capacity one that will be able to supply enough water to keep your pet (or pets) hydrated all day long. The 128-oz” Pioneer Pet Big Max Stainless Steel Pet Fountain and it’s twin, the Pioneer Pet Big Max Ceramic Pet Fountain each hold 128 ounces. That’s an entire gallon of water! Another terrific model for multiple pets is the Drinkwell Big Dog Pet Fountain which holds up to 2.25 gallons of water. Now that’s a whole lotta water!

For homes with multiple pets such as small to medium dogs or cats, the Drinkwell 360 Pet Fountain offers a full circle of drinking space which means everyone can drink at once, and none of your pets will have to go thirsty waiting their turn.

Another feature that should be taken into consideration is flow style. Does your cat love drinking out of the faucet? Then he or she will love drinking from the Drinkwell Original Pet Fountain. The water flows like a waterfall (or faucet) from the top on down into the basin. This falling water not only attracts cats and quenches their natural curiosity, it also entertains and entices them to drink. Cats tend to not get enough hydration because of their finicky personalities and that’s just not a good thing because cats can easily become dehydrated. A cat fountain that attracts your furry feline is one of the best gifts you can buy him (or her!)

If the faucet fountain isn’t your (or your pet’s) cup of tea, check out the Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Pet Fountain which mimics a babbling brook. The water flows smoothly down into a “pool” where it is then kept in constant motion. It holds 108 ounces and has TWO charcoal filters that remove impurities and filter out debris. Your pet will love the clean, oxygenated, fresh taste as well as the flowing movement in the basin.

Speaking of filters, the Petco Premium Ceramic Pet Fountain uses a carbon filter to remove odors and foul tastes and it’s nonporous ceramic is bacteria resistant. It’s full circle drinking area makes it idea for more than one pet to drink at the same time. Also, when it comes to cleaning the Petco Ceramic Pet Fountain, it disassembles completely for easy washing.

For homes of cat lovers, the Hagen Catit Drinking Fountain is the Cat’s Meow! It features two side bowls with a clear plastic “globe” in the middle. The filtered water is pushed up through the globe and spills over the sides. Cats simply love to drink from the globe area! The water then trickles into one of the side bowls. The other bowl can be used for dry food and the design is perfect for multi cat homes.

Also, when it comes to cats, there’s no shortage of purrfect pet fountain options. For instance, the Cat Mate Pet Fountain offers three different levels of drinking areas with each one spilling over into the next. It’s the only one of it’s kind! The clean, fresh water if filtered by a carbon-polymer filter (which is easily replaced as directed) and the water holding capacity is 70 ounces.

If you’re limited to the space designated for your pet’s fountain and are concerned about looks and style, fear not! The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Pet Drinking Fountain is one of the most sleek and stylishly designed pet fountains on the market. It’s contemporary curves and quiet trickling make it seem like more of a relaxing Zen fountain than a pet fountain! Your guests will have no idea your Raindrop Pet Fountain is anything more than a beautiful part of your home’s décor, and even more fabulous is that it’s available in both stainless steel and ceramic.

With so many options from which to choose, there’s surely the right pet fountain for your household. Whether you’ve got dogs or cats or a combination of both, you’ll have no problem finding one (or two) to suit your needs. Of course, it’s important to remember that no pet fountain can provide fresh, bacteria free water all on it’s own. Pet fountains need to be maintained as instructed. A well kept pet fountain will be cleaned regularly and properly and will be kept at the recommended “full line.” Also, it’s filter will be changed regularly and at the manufacturer’s suggested intervals. If these steps are taken, a good quality fountain will last for years.