Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Hydration is essential for cats, and it’s not at all times as simple to maintain them hydrated as you might assume. Since cats are likely to favor operating water, fountains encourage them to drink extra.
The Petlibro Dockstream 2 is a brilliant water fountain that connects to an app in your cellphone, permitting you to observe your cat’s water consumption, see developments of their habits, and know instantly if their habits change. This will help you detect sicknesses of their early levels which will have taken you longer to note in any other case.
I examined the Dockstream 2 with my very own cats for a number of weeks, taking notes on the set-up and cleansing processes and my cats’ interactions in order that I might give you a radical evaluation, together with comparisons to the unique Dockstream and different cat fountains I’ve tried.
Why Belief Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I’m a lifelong cat proprietor who has examined a number of water fountains, each by myself and for Cats.com. Attempting varied manufacturers and merchandise has proven me what to search for in cat water fountains, together with low noise ranges, a very good filtration system, and a easy deep cleansing course of.
Whereas reviewing the Petlibro Dockstream 2, I made notes on its performance and in contrast it in opposition to different fountains I’ve tried, together with the unique Dockstream sensible fountain.
Dockstream 2 & Petlibro Overview
Based in 2019, Petlibro rapidly grew into a pacesetter on the planet of pet know-how. They’re particularly well-known for his or her automated feeders and watering fountains. Their focus is on pet and human-friendly designs, which shines by way of within the Dockstream 2.
This fountain improves on the unique Dockstream with a pump-free design and a bigger, 3-liter tank. The Dockstream 2 collection is extraordinarily quiet, comes with an app to trace your cat’s water consumption, and the cordless variations can function for as much as 30-days between prices.
Petlibro Dockstream 2 Options
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The shining characteristic of the Dockstream 2 is the flexibility to observe your cat’s water consumption by way of the Petlibro app. Figuring out instantly when your cat is consuming extra or much less water than standard can cue you into quite a lot of well being points, permitting you to catch and deal with them whereas they’re nonetheless in early levels.
Within the app, you possibly can view your cat’s hydration historical past and see the common quantities they drink in every week or month. It additionally supplies reminders for refilling and cleansing the fountain in addition to altering the filters.
In earlier iterations, you can select between a non-smart cordless or sensible corded fountain, however the Dockstream 2 removes this limitation. The sensible corded fountain has acquired a number of high quality of life updates, and the cordless model (which I’m reviewing in the present day) now means that you can proceed monitoring your cat’s water consumption and utilizing different app options, even in cordless mode.
On a full cost, cordless mode on the Dockstream 2 sensible fountain lasts as much as 30 days. Whereas unplugged, the fountain will move solely when it senses your cat close by. Although this protects battery life, I’ve discovered that my cats ignore fountains that work this manner. I believe they assume it’s off and don’t trouble approaching! Nonetheless, your cat might get the hold of it quicker than they did.
Different variations between earlier variations and the Dockstream 2 are a barely bigger basin, going from 2.5 to three liters. The metal tray is now dishwasher protected, and the fountain is pump-free.
Like older variations, it has a plastic basin. The fountain is extremely quiet, and the indicator lights might be set on a timer or turned off fully.
One other enchancment is that the bottom is now designed to lock the fountain in place, making it tougher in your pets to knock it over.
What We Like:
- Improves on earlier iterations with a pump-free design, 3 liter water capability, and anti-knockover tank
- Observe your cat’s hydration and and obtain reminders for fountain upkeep with the Petlibro app
- Dishwasher-safe consuming tray
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Straightforward to disassemble and clear
What We Didn’t Like:
- Cordless mode solely permits for pet-sensing move, which some cats might not drink from as persistently
- Costly in comparison with different water fountains, however worthwhile for its hydration monitoring
- Water basin is manufactured from plastic, quite than chrome steel
What Did Our Take a look at Cats Suppose?
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The unique corded Dockstream rapidly grew to become my favourite cat water fountain, so I had excessive hopes when unboxing the Dockstream 2. It has most of the identical options together with a straightforward set-up, hydration monitoring, and the same design which made the transition simple for my cats.
I like with the ability to see how a lot they’re consuming within the app, although with seven cats, this isn’t my solely water dish. Folks with only one or two cats and a single fountain will see extra advantages from this characteristic as they’ll have the ability to fully monitor their pets’ consuming habits.
The fountain was exceptionally simple to scrub as soon as I spotted that the plastic piece on the backside is detachable. Although it has a pump-free design, you’ll nonetheless need to be sure to take aside this piece and the wheel beneath to completely clear the fountain utilizing the included cleansing brush. Petlibro recommends a deep cleansing each two weeks, however this may range relying on the quantity of pets in your house.
One other factor that confused me at first was the cordless mode, which requires turning the fountain on utilizing a button on the backside of the bottom. This was tremendous simple as soon as I figured it out, however I’ve seen different reviewers confused as properly. It may be simple to skip the set-up directions and dive proper in once you’re excited a few new product!
Ultimately, the one flaw I discovered with the fountain was that my cats received’t use it in cordless mode as a result of pet-sensing move, however in any other case I believe we’ve discovered a brand new favourite. The Dockstream 2 has all the options we liked from the unique Dockstream, plus some extras that make it even simpler to make use of.
What Do Clients Consider the Petlibro Dockstream 2?
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Optimistic Opinions
“I’ve had this Water Fountain for some time now, and it’s been nice for my family with two canines and one cat. All three of them use it no drawback, and the 3L is massive sufficient that I don’t need to refill consistently. The chrome steel tray additionally feels cleaner and is very easy to wipe clear in comparison with plastic ones I’ve had beforehand.” – Chuang Yin on Amazon
“It’s quiet, simple to scrub, and the chrome steel prime feels very hygienic. The water stays recent for days, and the app reminders make it simple to know when to refill or change filters.” – Shu on Chewy
Reviewers reward the fountain for being simple to scrub and permitting them to observe their cat’s water consumption. In addition they say that it runs quietly and holds sufficient water to go well with multi-pet houses.
Damaging Opinions
“I had nice hopes for this cat water fountain primarily based upon critiques by others. Nonetheless, I’ve tried no less than 20 occasions to attach the fountain to my Web with no success.” – Marie on Amazon
“I bought in September and after solely 2 months of use the pump is damaged. I’ve tried all of the troubleshooting instructed with no repair. It is vitally irritating that my pets haven’t had water all day as a result of it broke whereas I used to be at work.” – Rachel Kays on Amazon
Reviewers complain about app connectivity points, leakage, and fountains that cease working throughout the first couple of months.
Comparable Cat Fountain Manufacturers
Searching for different cat water fountains much like the Petlibro Dockstream 2? Take a look at a few of our different critiques.
