Like us, sometimes our pets need a little encouragement to drink more water. While you can’t quite expect your feline to use a giant jug, there is something that can help motivate Fluffy to stay hydrated: water fountains for cats. Our team put together a list of top water fountains on the market, and veterinarian Dr. Michelle Diener helped evaluate each pick and narrow down the best options. From there, our expert team of product reviewers put each fountain to the test based on a number of factors, like the material they were made out of and how easy they were to clean. Here are the water fountains we identified as the best products out there for cats:
Dr. Diener likes the adjustable water flow settings, multiple spouts, and stainless steel material of this pet fountain. She also likes that cats can access water from all sides of the product, and multiple pets won’t have to fight to hydrate.
Dr. Diener likes that this fountain offers different flow settings, multiple levels of filtration, and is a quiet option. She also likes that pet owners can choose from different colors and materials to help this device blend into your home decor. But Dr. Diener noted that this fountain does require frequent upkeep, which includes ordering and changing the replacement filters every two weeks.
Dr. Diener approves of the carbon filter, which keeps the drinking water clean, but she noted that the filter needs to be changed every two weeks. She also likes that this cat fountain is dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, and holds a lot of water. Because the stream comes out in one direction, Dr. Diener noted that this fountain is probably best for a single pet household.
There’s a lot to like about this fountain, but the brand really missed the mark on adding an indicator to notify pet owners when the water levels are low. Dr. Diener liked that this fountain has a four-stage filtration system, but because it uses two different types of filters, pet parents will be changing those carbon and foam filters frequently. That said, the stainless steel makes this option more durable than plastic alternatives.
This is another expensive option at $80, and it requires weekly filter changes. While Dr. Diener does like the filtration system with carbon and charcoal filters and the ceramic material, she prefers other fountains on our list, especially because you can’t adjust the water flow on this one.
Dr. Diener loves that there’s an indicator for low water levels and that this is an inexpensive option. Despite the lower price, it offers many attractive features, like a triple filtration system, adjustable flow, and multiple spouts so that more than one pet can drink at a time.
The betterpet team started by searching online for best-selling cat water fountains. Once we had a list together, we asked Dr. Diener to review it and offer her insight. From there, our product reviewer ordered the fountains and put each to the test. Both Dr. Diener and our product reviewer helped determine our “top pick,” the fountain that ranked highest in each of our testing criteria.
*price at the time of our review
We worked with Dr. Diener and our expert product reviewer to determine our testing criteria for each product.
Many indoor cats don’t drink enough water. If your cat has this problem or seems to prefer drinking from the sink instead, they might enjoy a cat water fountain. Most cats drink more water from a fountain than they would from a bowl, mostly because they enjoy the taste and freshness of moving water.
It’s true that cats don’t naturally drink much water. However, hydration (Trusted Source) is critical when it comes to preventing a number of health problems in pets. Both urinary tract infections and chronic kidney disease can be the result of toxin buildup in a cat’s body. Water from a clean bowl or fountain can help cats flush unwanted toxins out of their system.
While your dog might run for their water bowl with gusto, cats are prone to dehydration>. Throughout history, cats would meet their hydration needs through the prey they caught, but in your home, they get water from what you provide. It gets tricky considering cats are picky about their water preferences. No, we’re not talking sparkling or tap, but cats may prefer running water to still, meaning that they find drinking from a stagnant water bowl unappealing. Since moving water is more enticing to thirsty kitties, a fountain can help encourage your feline to drink more water.
Hydration is essential for healthy felines. Without enough water to drink, cats face a number of health issues, some of which, like dehydration, can be fatal. Some of the most common hydration-related health issues in cats can be found below:
There are a few key components you should look for in your cat’s water fountain.
Noise. Fountains with loud filters can be disturbing to both people and their pets. A loud fountain might discourage your cat from drinking water. If your cat seems particularly sensitive to noise, choose a fountain with a gentle water flow.
Filter. The filter is key to ensuring your cat has access to tasty, fresh water. Fountains with two or three filtration systems tend to have better water circulation, which helps prevent odors and remove dirt and debris. Many fountains include a carbon or charcoal filter, but you’ll have to purchase replacements.
Size. The ideal size of your fountain depends on where you want to put it, how big your cat is, and how many pets you have. Make sure the fountain you choose provides your cat with ample room to drink. Fountains with a large water capacity are best for cats that are left alone for long stretches of time.
Material. Fountains typically come in materials like stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain. While one isn’t necessarily better than the others, steel and porcelain tend to be easier to clean than plastic. Plastic fountain options tend to be more affordable, though.
👉 Look for fountains made of BPA-free plastic and materials.
Easy to clean. It’s absolutely crucial that you frequently clean your cat’s water fountain. The material isn’t the only thing that affects the ease of the cleaning process. Pay attention to how the parts fit together and whether or not they’re easy to take apart. If you prefer to wash your fountain in a dishwasher, make sure the parts are dishwasher-safe.
Appearance. Your cat’s drinking fountain is probably in your kitchen or laundry room, so you might want to pay attention to the aesthetics of the fountain. This comes down mostly to your style, but ceramic and stainless steel fountains tend to be more aesthetically pleasing than plastic fountains.
All models of drinking fountains have slightly different steps when it comes to cleaning. That said, there are a few general rules to follow.
Unplug and drain the fountain — First, you should make sure the fountain is completely drained of water. Before you begin the cleaning process, you should also unplug your fountain from the outlet.
Deconstruct the fountain — To make sure all the parts of your cat’s fountain are clean, you’ll need to take the entire fountain apart and remove the main tank and motor.
Rinse debris — Rinse all the parts of the fountain. If the parts aren’t dishwasher-safe, use natural or pet-safe dish soap to clean them. If you’re using a dishwasher, wash the parts of the fountain separately from your other dishes.
Use replacement filters — The filter of most cat water fountains needs to be changed every few weeks, so you’ll need to find and purchase those replacements to ensure you have plenty on hand.
🚨 It’s incredibly important to clean your cat’s water dispenser according to the product instructions. Any mold or slime on the pump could make your cat sick.
You may wonder why you can’t just give your cat water in a normal bowl. While some cats enjoy drinking from a ceramic or metal dish, others prefer the taste of moving water. Because of the movement, cat water fountains also tend to keep water cleaner than normal bowls.
👉 Kitties that don’t like fountains might prefer an elevated water bowl.
Due to the filter and motion of the water, fountains are typically more hygienic than normal bowls. When tap water sits for long periods of time in a still bowl, it can collect debris that can potentially be harmful to cats. Tap water also contains calcium and magnesium, both of which can cause health issues.
Believe it or not, cats aren’t crazy about drinking from still water sources. They find moving water, bubbles, and splashing enticing. This gives water fountains with spouts a huge advantage over normal bowls.
Our vets recommend cat water fountains for all cat owners. They say that fountains are proven to encourage cats to drink more, which consequently keeps cats healthy. Since filters help to keep the water clean, cats that drink from pet water fountains are also less likely to contract a water-borne illness.
Your cat needs 3.5 to 4.5 ounces of water daily. This number varies depending on their weight, so you’ll need to ask your vet to be sure. Another tip is to try feeding your cat wet food, which contains a lot more water and moisture than dry alternatives.
Cats have a naturally low thirst drive — but they love running water. That’s because natural sources of water like streams tend to be moving or running, and a cat would usually avoid stagnant water. Therefore, drinking from water fountains feels instinctive to most cats. Your cat’s hydration is important to their long-term health. In general, you should try to pay close attention to your cat’s daily water intake.
Stainless steel is one of the best materials for a cat drinking fountain because it’s easier to clean and longer-lasting than plastic. Plastic is fine, too, but won’t last as long as stainless steel or ceramic.
When looking for a cat water fountain, you’ll want a water flow that’s gentle and not too forceful. As far as materials go, stainless steel is generally safe. BPA-free plastic is another good option, but make sure the product doesn’t have small pieces that are easy for a cat to bite or chew off.
Water fountains will run without the filters, but you should always have a filter in them. The filters help prevent fur, food, dust, dirt, and other debris from clogging the pump and ensures that your cat has fresh, clean water.
