Fact: Water makes up 80% of your cat’s body and is essential for all his biological processes, including circulation, digestion, and waste removal. Another fact: cats generally don’t drink enough water and can be prone to dehydration, and cat dehydration can lead to some serious health problems.
Getting your cat to drink enough water is nearly impossible, and you might not even realize it’s a problem. By putting a cat water dispenser in your house, you could save hundreds of dollars on unnecessary vet bills.
We have an overwhelming amount of experience with all different kinds of cats. Most people don’t realize that cats have all different personalities, and specific preferences, and sometimes their pickiness can get them into some serious trouble.
Therefore, it’s not a bad idea to keep an eye out for affordable new products that will mix things up and keep their interest. A cat water fountain is only the tip of the iceberg, but if you’re wondering how to get your cat to drink more water, this may be your answer. When we break it down for you, it will be pretty obvious why it could be an essential new addition to your home.
- Capacity: 128 ounces
- Size: 14.63 x 14.75 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 4.28 pounds
- Capacity: 128 ounces
- Size: 14.63 x 14.75 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 4.28 pounds
- Capacity: 128 ounces
- Size: 14.63 x 14.75 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 4.28 pounds
Best Cat Water Fountains
Check out our best cat water fountains:
1. Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
If you’re on the hunt for a sleek design that will match every other stainless steel appliance in your kitchen, you’ve come to the right place. The Drinkwell 360 pet fountain is a stainless steel bowl, very similar to a regular water dish.
The main difference is the spout that slopes up in the middle of the dish, and it has a full one-gallon capacity. The spout is also stainless steel with an adjustable plastic top that enables you to control the water stream. The gentle, sleek slope also serves double duty, and it will reduce the noise created as the water flows freely.
Some people might enjoy the sound of a burbling stream, but that certainly isn’t the case for everyone. So if you’re not interested in adding even noise to your home, this is a fabulous choice. You can choose from 1 to 5 free-falling water streams, and the twist top adjusts water flow.
The Drinkwell 360 has a fantastic filtration system. The submersible pump allows for silent operation, and the carbon filter removes any bad taste or odor from the water. This is great, especially considering that the fresher the water is, the more likely your cat is to drink it.
There is also a second layer of filtration to keep hair, dirt, and other debris out of the pump. That is accomplished with a foam filter. Replacement carbon filters for this Drinkwell fountain are highly affordable, as well as the cleaning kit.
The water fountain also has rubber feet, to prevent sliding, a nearly 6-foot power cord, and everything other than the pump is top-rack dishwasher safe.
Moreover, it’s the perfect size for small or medium-sized animals. It isn’t the best choice if you also have large dogs, but you can opt to keep it up and out of their way.
Overall, the DrinkWell 360 is one of the best cat water fountains if you’re not sure exactly what your furry friend will like. It has an adjustable water flow, so you focus on making the stream perfect for them.
- One gallon water capacity
- Fresh, filtered water on demand
- Stainless steel ensures quality and durability
- Dishwasher safe
- Perfect for multiple cats
- The fountain may be too large for a single cat home
- More expensive than competitors (but stainless steel typically is)
2. Catit Flower Pet Fountain
The Catit flower pet fountain is one of the most affordable options on our list. It has an adorable design, with a white reservoir and blue or green top, with a flower as the water spout.
You also have the option to get a Catit fountain with or without an LED light. The perk of having an LED is the fact that it will be much easier for cats to spot it at night, and much easier for you to tell when the water level is getting too low.
This flower fountain has a three-liter water capacity, triple-action filtration system, and adjustable water flow. The cotton mesh and activated carbon filters remove debris, odors, and impurities, while the ion exchange resin softens tap water. All you have to do is turn the flower to adjust the flow of water to the water flow to either gentle flow, bubbling top, or calm streams.
The design of the top of the fountain makes it possible for your cats to drink even if there is a power outage. However, the design also makes this particular fountain a terrible option for all but the smallest dogs. So keep in mind, if you have larger animals that need to drink, you might want to keep this one up and out of the way.
What’s more, every cat owner is familiar with the fact that cats can be total brats. That being said, you will be happy to note that this particular fountain is hard to tip over. With the thick base and heavy three-liter capacity, it’s going to take a bit of determination to tip this thing.
While it might be heavy enough to stay upright, it still has an incredibly sturdy and compact design. Some of the other cat water fountain options on the market are made of glass or ceramic. It might be pretty, but it’s far from sturdy if you have a notorious tipper on your hands!
The Catit flower pet fountain is also a plug-in ready item, so there’s no need for batteries or recharging. The pump is also easy to clean, and everything other than the pump is top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Triple action water filter
- LED nightlight
- Three different fountain settings
- Compact, pretty flower fountain design
- Budget-friendly water fountain
- The motor gets louder when the water fountain is low on water
- If the fountain is not full of water, a cat can flip it over
3. PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Cat Fountain
At 168 ounces, the PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum pet drinking fountain has the largest water capacity of any product on this list, which may bring some people to call it the best cat water fountain on the market. If you’re looking for something that will provide continuous running water for multiple cats (or dogs) throughout the day, this water fountain is a great choice. The less you have to fill it up, the better!
The PetSafe Drinkwell fountain has a built-in water reservoir, free-falling water stream, and it is made with BPA-free plastic. It has a replaceable carbon filter, which will soak up any bacteria and odor that could make the water unsanitary. The fresher your water is, the more likely your cat will be to consume more and stay healthy.
This pet fountain has a free-falling stream of water and adjustable flow control. It will allow you to position the stream perfectly for your feline friend. Plus, this model also has a submersible pump for quiet operation, and it is safe for extended use.
You should make sure to clean this, and every other fountain, on a regular basis. That will prevent algae and bacteria buildup, as well as extend the life of the whole machine. Fortunately, you can also wash most parts of this fountain in the top rack of your dishwasher.
Always make sure that you do not wash the pumps for these devices in the dishwasher. You need to take them apart and clean them separately.
This Drinkwell Water fountain must be plugged-in for use. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about batteries, which can save a ton of money, especially when this device is made for extended use.
- Huge 168 oz water capacity
- Continuous filtered drinking water
- Great for multiple cats and dogs
- Submersible pump
- Dishwasher safe
- May be difficult to clean
- Bulky water fountain (but with its large water capacity, that’s to be expected)
4. Drinkwell Pagoda Cat Water Fountain
If you are interested in finding the best cat water fountain that also looks classy, the Drinkwell Pagoda pet fountain may be the top option for you. Not only does this cat water fountain look good, but it also functions perfectly and comes in four different colors and matches the décor in any room.
Keep in mind that this particular fountain is made of stoneware. It is sturdy, for the most part, but not invincible. So if you know your cat loves to knock everything to the ground, this could be a dangerous option.
If your cats would break it while you were away, for instance, it could end up injuring them. With that in mind, you may want to leave this fountain on the floor until you know for a fact that they don’t have any interest in knocking it over. Then you can feel a bit better about moving it to a higher elevation.
The Drinkwell Pagoda pet fountain features a 70-oz water capacity and is ideal for small and medium-sized pets. It uses a replaceable charcoal carbon and coconut shell filter, has upper and lower drinking areas, and is dishwasher friendly. The low-voltage submersible pump circulates the fresh, on-demand water for your cat.
This item is also made with a ceramic stoneware design, as mentioned before, which makes it easy to clean by hand. The pump should never go in the dishwasher and must be washed by hand.
Overall, the Drinkwell Pagoda pet fountain is a wonderful option for any cat owner. Keep in mind that it is probably best for homes that only have cats or small dogs. Medium and large dogs are more likely to knock this item over and break it. Although it does have a one-year limited warranty, you can take advantage of, depending on the circumstances.
- Classy water fountain that comes in four colors
- Charcoal filter helps reduce bad tastes and odors
- Easy for cats to drink from this fountain
- Easy to clean
- One year limited warranty
- Some customers say this water fountain is loud (it is a constant waterfall sound, so this may be a pro, too)
- Motor only has one flow setting
- May not be great for cats who like to knock things over
5. Veken Cat Water Fountain
The Veken pet fountain has a similar design to the Catit flower pet fountain, with a few extra perks. This water fountain has a flower that sticks up, which is perfect if your cat enjoys stream so water, rather than just gentle movement. It also comes with a silicone mat to keep it in place and make it harder to knock over.
This flower fountain includes triple filtration: a cotton layer, activated carbon, and an ion exchange resin. The extra filtration provides fresh drinking water for your cat anytime she wants.
The Veken pet fountain does have a smaller water capacity than they Catit, of about 2.5 liters, rather than a gallon. However, that is more than enough if you have one or two cats at the most.
Plus, this is probably better than the alternative if you want to have a bigger dish on the bottom. There will be more water in the dish when you decide to unplug it so your kitties won’t run out quickly when you’re away from home.
This particular fountain is also extra quiet, due to the submersible pump, and it comes with several replacement filters. It is made with durable BPA-free plastic and more difficult to knock over than some of the other options. The Veken pet water fountain also comes with three replaceable activated carbon filters.
You can choose between three different water flow settings, depending on what your animals prefer. It’s also easy to clean the whole machine, as well as the pump. Overall, this is another excellent option.
- Triple filtration to ensure fresh pet drinking water
- Comes with a silicone mat and three carbon filters
- Perfect for one or two small cats
- Cute flower style design
- One of the quietest water fountains
- You have to take the reservoir apart to see how much water is left
- Fountain needs to be filled manually
Pre-Purchase Considerations
Before you buy anything, you should break down your decision-making process, and we know you already do this since you’re reading our article on the best cat fountains.
When you look at the benefits of a product, including cat drinking fountains, you will get a better idea of what kind of cat drinking fountain would work best in your home.
At first, it might seem like a fairly straightforward choice. Most of us would go straight for the most affordable option or debate whether it’s worth buying in the first place.
We want to break down some considerations for you. We understand that it’s hard to think of everything, especially if you’re a new cat owner and are just learning the ropes.
If you’re only beginning to learn what your cat likes and dislikes, you may not know the answer to everything we ask throughout this piece. Most likely, you’ll figure it out as you go.
Fortunately, there are quite a few flexible options that will enable you to adjust your cat drinking fountain to your cat’s personal preference.
Take All Pets into Account
The first thing you need to consider is the number and variety of animals in your house. It’s fairly common for someone with one cat to end up with multiple cats, thinking the one needs a buddy or two. Others are animal lovers in general and may have several cats and dogs, or at least one of
each.
No matter how many you have, you need to think about whether you’re getting the best cat water fountain for the number of felines in your home. If you have additional pets, such as dogs, a pet water fountain with a large water capacity could be beneficial.
However, you should keep in mind that most of these fountains are designed for cats specifically. So if you have a small dog, it will be an ideal size for them as well.
If you have medium or large dogs, you will probably want to keep your cat drinking fountain up higher, just for the cats. Since the fountains are generally so small (with low water capacity), they won’t offer enough water to your large dogs anyway.
Moreover, large dogs are more likely to slobber into the water. That can lead to water that is slimy, foamy, and all-around dirtier than normal. That could steer your cat away from the water once again, and defeat the purpose of the fountain.
Instead, you should consider getting a separate water dispenser for your dogs and keep your cat drinking fountain up and out of your dog’s view.
Why a Cat Water Drinking Fountain is a Good Idea
You might be wondering what the point is of getting a water fountain for cats. Is it just another reason to go over the top and be a little bougie? Or is there a genuine purpose for the design? Does your cat really need a drinking fountain?
Yes, there is a real purpose to finding the best cat water fountain, and it comes right down to their natural instincts.
In the wild, animals instinctively avoid still, unmoving water. They do that because they know that still water can make them sick. Even if they don’t know the science of the matter and the fact that bacteria will thrive in stagnant water, they know it’s bad news and avoid it whenever they can. This is why you probably don’t see your cat drinking much out of her cat bowl.
Because of that natural instinct, cats may prefer to drink out of the toilet, faucet, or the cup of fresh tap water that you just filled up. They know it’s usually fresher than the water in their bowl too.
Unfortunately, because of this natural instinct, it’s common for cats not to drink enough water over the course of time. In the wild, they might also get hydration from catching prey, but there’s no extra moisture in the dry food you provide for them.
You should keep in mind that feeding your cats wet cat food a few times each week is always a good idea because they do get water from their canned food; however, having a cat water fountain is also extremely beneficial to their overall health since the running water entices them to drink.
The More Water, The Better
As we just mentioned above, it is extremely beneficial to have a cat water dispenser in your home. It promotes their interest in water and gives them the option to drink running water at all times.
We’ve already touched on why it’s so important for your cats to get enough water, but here’s a more thorough explanation of the possible health issues dehydration can lead to.
When cats don’t drink enough water, they can have kidney issues, as well as several bladder issues. For one thing, they have a much higher chance of getting a urinary tract infection. For another thing, they have unique urine, and that urine can crystalize in their bladders and cause a “sludge” problem.
In other words, their own urine can cause blockages that prevent them from emptying their bladder. If that problem continues for too long, it will be fatal.
Ensuring that felines drink plenty of water will prevent these problems from happening. At the very least, drinking more water will dramatically lower the chances of any of these possibilities becoming an issue in the first place. A water fountain for your cat with good water capacity is an excellent investment in their health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Fountains
When it comes to using a new product, everyone has questions. We’re hoping to answer some of the most common questions in regards to these cat water fountains.
A cat water fountain comes with a water reservoir, a carbon filter system, and a pump. The water in the fountain’s reservoir circulates through the filters and then up through the fountain, ready for your cat to drink.
Any water that your cat does not drink is then recirculated through the system. A cat water fountain needs a power source, which is typically electricity.
It will depend on the fountain you choose to buy. Always make sure to read the instructions for your device for the best information.
However, most cat water fountains need to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. By cleaning them on a weekly basis, you can prolong the life of most filters. In turn, it will help keep the pump clean and in working order.
The carbon filter generally needs to be replaced every two weeks to a month, depending on your device. You may be able to rinse them out, rather than replacing them, but you should only do that once at most, or they may not be as effective over time.
All of these fountains have easy-to-clean pumps that can be disassembled for easy cleaning. Make sure to check out the list of additional accessories you can buy for these fountains. Some have inexpensive pump cleaning kits available. They will come in handy for a thorough cleaning and prolong the life of the pump.
This is up to you, but many people prefer to unplug as many appliances as possible before leaving their homes. That is certainly the safest way to ensure the safety of your pets and home.
However, these water fountains are made for extended use. Therefore, they are made to be plugged in all the time. Whether you do so is entirely up to you.
If you’re going to leave the water fountain plugged in when you’re away, make sure it will have enough water to operate for the duration that you won’t be home. Of course, make sure you get one with high water capacity.
In other words, if you’re going away for the weekend, you may not want to leave it plugged in. But if you’re only leaving for the workday, feel free to leave the fountain plugged in.
Yes, that is always a possibility with any animal that has a bad habit of chewing on cords. If you know that your cat or dog commonly chews cords, you should take an extra step to get a heavy-duty cord cover. They are available at any local hardware store and could be a lifesaver for your pet.
The short answer here is yes. They are made to pump water continuously and be fully submerged at all times. If your device runs out of water, the pump will continue to run, burning it out and making it useless, or causing it to overheat.
That is why you shouldn’t leave it plugged in when you will be away for a few days. You would be better off letting a faucet run slightly in one of your sinks.
However, if this does happen by accident, you shouldn’t worry about the device catching on fire. Most have an emergency shut off when the pump begins to overheat.
The Bottom Line
A cat water fountain (one with sufficient water capacity) not only provides your kitty with clean running water (which cats like), but it entices them to drink more water, which is the main goal in the first place. Since cats are naturally drawn to moving water, a cat fountain is a great way to help your feline drink more water, and let’s face it: cats generally don’t drink enough water in the first place.
We know that you will find the perfect cat water fountain for your cat, keeping him hydrated and healthy for years to come.
