I've been using water bottles for about 2 years now, my girls are both three years old (a few months apart)
I started because my little Luna would get INTO the water bowl, all four paws, and just play and splash
Yeah, it was cute, but then I had to wash the bowl and then refill it, only for her to do it again a very short time later. I was afraid that if I wasn't at home for a few hours, that the girls wouldn't have any water to drink, it would be all on Luna, the floor, and the furniture
Someone here posted a link for me to a water bottle holder, since the ones I was finding could only be attached to a wire crate, and they weren't in the expen any more (they'd graduated to free run by then). They were super expensive, even before the shipping
SO my hubby and his son made some similar to them. They aren't beautiful, but they work, and they're filled partially with cement so that they can't be tipped over.
The girls' faces aren't all damp and stinky anymore, my floor and furniture aren't soaked, and the girls' water stays clean and fresh! I change the water every other day (they're 32 oz bottles and there are two of them). To sanitize them, I put about 1/2 cup of vinegar in them, shake for a minute, then rinse very well.
Those concerned about the plastic, please look for bottles with the lowest possible number (the one in the little recycle symbol on the bottom of the bottle). The higher the number, the more chance of the plastic breaking down. I've replaced our bottles about every six months, as well, just to be safe.
