PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier 100 oz review

The PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Fountain PWW00-13708 is a plug-in, 100-ounce station built around two places to drink: a raised upper dish and a wide lower bowl, joined by one falling stream. The exact current U.S. store page identifies the product and its 100 oz capacity; PetSafe's product-support page also lists PWW00-13708 and the support code DMLR-PLAS. This review evaluates the named PWW00-13708 configuration, not every older Drinkwell model or a support code assumed to be a separate purchasable fountain.

Two heights, one water circuit

The practical distinction is the stacked layout. A cat can drink from the upper bowl, the lower bowl, or approach the falling water between them. That gives a household more than one comfortable height to try without buying a fountain with separate pumps or individually controlled basins. PetSafe specifically points to the elevated dish as a useful option for older pets; whether its height suits a particular cat still depends on the animal and where the fountain will sit. The manufacturer gives only the two-value product dimension entry “8.0 x 5.6 inches,” without labeled axes or a third dimension, so it is not enough to confirm counter clearance or body height. Measure the intended space rather than estimating from the product image.

The Multi-Tier's one free-falling stream is not adjustable. Its water presentation is simpler than the Drinkwell Pagoda, whose exact review describes two falling streams and a ceramic raised dish, and it does not offer the Platinum's physical flow adjustment. If a cat prefers drinking from a bowl rather than directly at falling water, the upper and lower bowls remain distinct places to approach, but they are connected parts of a single circulating fountain—not separate measured reservoirs. A flow-sensitive cat may need a gradual introduction to a continuous stream rather than an assumption that this pump can be turned down.

Capacity is near three liters, not over it

PetSafe labels this configuration at 100 U.S. fluid ounces, which converts to about 2.96 liters. It is a nominal capacity, not a measured usable fill or a promise about days between checks. That number is large enough to be a meaningful step above compact bowls, but the Multi-Tier does not reach a strict 3-liter minimum. If that threshold is essential, the current product pages describe the larger Drinkwell Platinum at 168 oz and Oasys at 256 oz; neither should be substituted automatically, since their layouts and cleaning work differ. The Platinum review covers its rear refill reservoir and adjustable stream, while the Pagoda assessment covers its ceramic twin-stream layout.

The product page says the open-bowl design leaves pets access to water if power stops. That is passive water already in the bowls, not continued circulation. The exact PWW00-13708 quick-start guide says the fountain is intended to run continuously while plugged into a standard outlet, as long as water is maintained and the fountain is cleaned. It specifies 2.5 watts. There is no documented rechargeable plan, interval setting, pet sensor, app, intake record, or automatic low-water cutoff. The guide instead warns that the pump may fail if water falls below one inch from the bowl base. Owners should treat regular visual checks as part of the setup rather than count a warning as protection.

Plastic and a manageable—but real—pump routine

The supplied wet surfaces are BPA-free plastic. The official support image shows the gray, speckled two-tier fountain with a cat beside it; the maker does not identify whether the product image is photography or a rendering, so it is not a reliable size reference. PetSafe's guide also cautions that some animals can be sensitive to plastic food or water containers. A strict stainless-steel or ceramic requirement rules this model out regardless of the color or appearance in a listing.

Cleaning claims need a component boundary. Current PetSafe cleaning instructions say to wash the plastic fountain pieces in warm soapy water or place them on the dishwasher's top rack; the pump, adapter and filters stay out. The pump needs separate disassembly and cleaning. The online Multi-Tier instructions call for a full fountain clean at least monthly, more often in multi-pet homes, with pump and filter care coordinated with that task. Current filter instructions set a two-to-four-week replacement interval and say to rinse media with water only—not soap or in a dishwasher. This is separate from the full cleaning schedule. Hard-water guidance is version-sensitive: the older exact guide gives an 80/20 water-and-vinegar mix, while current pump-care instructions give 50/50. Follow current model-specific directions, rinse thoroughly, and do not combine recipes.

Who should choose another layout?

This is worth considering when a household wants one continuous outlet-powered fountain, a nominal 100 oz capacity, and two connected drinking heights in plastic, and can make routine water checks and pump cleaning. It is a poor fit when three liters is a hard minimum, steel or ceramic contact is required, the fountain must circulate away from an outlet, or hands-off low-water protection is essential. Compare the Pagoda for ceramic and twin streams, the Platinum for a higher labeled capacity and adjustable flow, or a gravity-fed station if the actual need is water access without power. Those alternatives solve different problems; a larger label, raised dish, or bowl that retains water does not by itself make one design a substitute for another.