INTRODUCTION TO WATER BOTTLES
DIFFERENT METHODS OF OFFERING WATER TO YOUR PET

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR MANY PET ANIMALS AND BIRDS TO HAVE WATER DISPENSERS WITH VALVE-REGULATED WATER RELEASE?
From the beginning of pet keeping, animals have been provided water from open bowls placed on the ground or floor. This is simple to do and is universally accepted by pets, but we now know that there are some serious drawbacks to open-bowl watering. Bowls can be tipped over or contaminated. Water bowls easily become polluted with debris, decaying food and disease organisms, requiring frequent cleaning and water replacement. A means was needed to provide water to pet animals under more sanitary conditions. The answer came with the invention of a valve that could be controlled by the animal or bird, enabling it to receive water whenever it wanted a drink. The water in this case would not be exposed to contamination but was instead held safely in a closed system until being released directly to the animal, thereby eliminating the most important problem in pet watering...that of keeping the pet's water clean and pure. Replacement parts for all Oasis Water Bottles are available. Click here to see a list of available parts and their part numbers: Replacement Parts.
OASIS® was the original company to develop a product line of pet operated watering devices. In the early 1960's, OASIS introduced a VACUUM-VALVE type sanitary water dispenser for small animals, as well as a TRUE-VALVE type dog watering device. Each has its important place in pet keeping.

WHAT IS A VACUUM-VALVE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Pet waterers using a VACUUM-VALVE operate on the movement of stainless steel balls held within the stainless steel drinking tube. When the animal pushes the balls upward or inward from the drinking tube's tip, the bottle's vacuum pressure is affected as air is released from inside the container, allowing water to flow out of the bottle and around the sides of the balls into the animal's mouth. When the animal stops moving the balls, the balls reseat in the tip of the drinking tube and stop the water's flow. A few drips may occur at this point as the vacuum pressure is reestablished and the vacuum-controlled water bottle establishes a closed-system seal. VACUUM-VALVE waterers must be used on an airtight water container in order to maintain a vacuum. An air leak will cause loss of vacuum and result in a water leak. OASIS uses the VACUUM-VALVE in eight different types of products: All-Weather Water Bottles, Crystal-Clear Water Bottles, Bell-Bottle Water Bottles, Glow-in-the-Dark Water Bottles, Bird Water Bottles, the Half-Gallon All-Weather Bottle, the All-Purpose Pet Bottle and the Habitat Water Bottles. For outdoor use as well as indoors the All-Weather, Bell, Bird and All-Purpose bottles are recommended. The Crystal-Clear bottles should only be used indoors.

One of the main advantages of the VACUUM-VALVE is that it can be conveniently used with a wide range of sizes and kinds of pet animals...including mammals (from dogs, puppies and cats, down to the smallest mice and hamsters. Most birds and many larger lizards and reptiles will also readily adapt to this system. Many small or young animals and birds can easily operate these valves. There are three sizes of drinking tubes available - allowing animals of many sizes to drink comfortably. As with any animal watering system, the animal owner should check each bottle at least daily to insure that there is an adequate supply, no leaks have developed and that the valve is working properly. The valve can become contaminated with food or bedding, causing the balls to stick, seals can develop leaks or the bottle may be punctured by a chewing pet, all of which are easily corrected by a responsible pet owner.

WHAT IS A TRUE-VALVE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Pet waterers using a TRUE-VALVE operate on lever action. A small metal rod with a smooth rounded tip protrudes from the end of the valve. The animal moves the rod off-center in any direction to obtain water. Movement of the rod allows water to flow around the base of the rod within the valve, water to flows down the rod and the inside of the drinker tube and into the animal's mouth. When the animal stops moving the rod, the valve returns to its straight position, shutting off the water. OASIS uses the TRUE-VALVE in three pet watering products - the Pet Faucet and the Thirst Quencher (both for dogs) and a smaller TRU-VALVE designed for smaller animals such as rabbits and ferrets. The Pet Faucet and Thirst Quencher waterers can be placed directly on a hose-bib / faucet (do not use on the end of a garden hose) for use by dogs, goats, potbelly pigs and similar animals. The smaller TRU-VALVE is used in a 28oz water bottle called the INSTA·FILL. The main advantages of a TRUE-VALVE are: the TRUE-VALVE provides instant water release and instant water shut-off in direct response to the action of the animal on the rod; bits of food left behind in the drinking tube by the animals cannot collect (as they can between and behind the stainless steel balls and drinking tube of a Vacuum-Valve Bottle); it can be used in situations when changes in the air or water temperature might affect the vacuum pressure needed to operate Vacuum Valve bottles; and it is mostly trouble-free in operation.

WHAT IF I STILL PREFER TO USE A BOWL?
While water dispensers with valve-regulated water release are the most sanitary way to provide water to most pets, there are a good number of pets for which bowls are better. Many dogs and cats prefer them. Most reptiles and some birds require a bowl. OASIS offers a unique water bowl..the Oasis Pet 'n Bird Feed Dish. Also, look at the OASIS PET TRAVEL CANTEEN, a water bowl that fills a special need.