The best cat water fountain out there will encourage your cat to drink more water, be easy to clean and maintain, and also ascetically pleasing.
The good news is that there’s a lot of cat water fountains out there that meet these criteria. The not-as-good news is that because there’s so many to choose from, you might find it tough to pick one.
Staying Hydrated
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Even though these are all extreme conditions that develop over a more extended period, staying hydrated day-to-day will keep your cat energetic and feeling well, just like how you feel when you’re drinking enough water! Prevention is the greatest medicine in giving your pet a better quality of life.
The problem is…our fluffy friends can be picky. Some just won’t touch a bowl of still water. Just like you, your cat likes having access to clean, fresh water. A water fountain that continuously circulates water from a reservoir will surely encourage your cat to drink enough water to keep their bodies healthy and minds happy!
Water Fountains and Electricity
The water fountains we reviewed use electricity because pumping water requires energy to force water through filters and a spout. You will have to keep your new cat water fountain near an electrical outlet in your kitchen, living room, or wherever else you keep your cat’s water.
If your cat (or any other pet in the house) likes electrical wires too much, a drinking fountain might not be the right choice for you. Some cats, dogs, rabbits, and other animals are prone to chewing things they aren’t supposed to.
Chewing on an electrical wire would not only damage your fountain’s motor and power system, but it could also cause serious injury to your pet. If you have pets other than cats running around the house, we suggest you plug in your water fountain and set it on a higher surface, like a table or countertop, where the cat can reach it, but the other critters cannot.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Just about all the fountains we’ve reviewed here require some form of maintenance and cleaning. Like your water glasses, your cat’s drinking bowl needs regular cleaning to avoid a buildup of grossness. Warm, soapy water will wash bacteria and slime away, and it’ll help reduce the chances of mold or mildew to build up in the spout and reservoir.
Also, most of the fountains listed below are filtration systems. This means they use filters of some sort, including activated carbon filters to clean the water. These fountains run all the time, and sometimes our pets’ mouths aren’t the cleanest, so you’ll probably be changing the fountain’s filters more often than the ones in your water bottle or countertop water filtration system. The filters in these fountains typically last a few weeks to a month.
A final note on cleaning: just like any small electrical appliance (i.e.- a kettle), you can’t submerge any electrical parts of the appliance in water. The same goes for cat water fountains. Make sure you remove the motor, wiring, and any other electrical components before washing your water fountain in the sink or dishwasher.
Ready to check out a few cat water fountains? Great!
Best Cat Water Fountain Reviews
Drinkwell Cat and Dog Water Fountain by PetSafe
This water fountain keeps your cat’s water not only nice and fresh but also clean. Foam and carbon filters inside the fountain quietly capture dirt, dust, and hair, keeping your pet’s water refreshing.
The constant circulation of water helps to avoid the growth of bacteria in the bowl.
This fountain comes in three different sizes and has water flow rate controls, making it fantastic for single or multi-pet households.
Pros
- The filtered, free-flowing water in this fountain will encourage your cat to drink more water.
- An adjustable knob on the inside of this fountain will allow you to control the flow rate of water.
- This BPA-free (bisphenol A) plastic fountain is top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Available in several sizes, making it suitable in homes with one or more cats, or even dogs.
Cons
- The filters inside this fountain need replacing every so often.
- Keep in mind this fountain uses electricity to work. There is no on/off switch, so you just unplug this fountain from the wall or turn off the water flow to make it stop.
- The nooks and crannies of this fountain’s design can make it difficult to clean out properly.
LED Cat Water Fountain by Comsmart
This water fountain with a stainless steel bowl is sure to keep your cat happy and well-hydrated.
The inner filters will remove dust and dirt, but Comsmart’s filters will also remove chlorine and heavy metals.
The filtered water comes out from a flower-shaped spout at the top, and the water flow can be adjusted to suit your pet’s preferences.
The stainless steel water bowl is very light, and for some cats it just might become their new favourite plaything. You may want to find a way to further secure the bowl to ensure your cat doesn’t knock it out of the fountain.
What’s unique about this fountain is the LED lighting in the water reservoir. The LED light illuminates the reservoir window, so you can tell when it’s time to refill the fountain regardless of the time of day.
Pros
- Purchase includes 3 extra filters for the fountain, cleaning kit, and even a floormat to catch spills.
- The LED reservoir window makes knowing when to refill this fountain convenient.
- Uses only 1.5W to pump water, and it’s super quiet while running (less than 40dB).
- Suitable for households with multiple cats or even a small dog.
Cons
- The filters don’t last very long and should be replaced every 2-3 weeks to a month.
- The stainless steel water bowl is very light.
Automatic Pet Fountain by Pupteck
This filtering water fountain will keep water clean with both its activated carbon filter and baffle. The baffle keeps larger contaminants like hair and bits of food out of the fountain entirely, ensuring the system will stay cleaner and last longer.
This fountain has a light, but the light it at the spout instead of the reservoir. Having a light at the spout means you can see if the fountain is filtering water for your pet. It also serves well as a night light, ensuring you don’t stub your toe on it in the middle of the night.
Pros
- The baffle keeps larger physical contaminants out of the system and filter, ensuring the fountain will last for some time.
- The blue light at the spout makes this fountain easy for both you and your cat to see in the dark.
- Filters water quietly and in style without splashing.
- This fountain is attractive and looks great in any kitchen.
Cons
- Initially, setting up the fountain may take some time to figure out.
- Best suited to cat-only (or small dog) households.
Swan Pet Drinking Fountain by Pioneer Pet
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This bird-shaped filtering fountain holds a decent amount of water for a whole household of kitties.
Its simple design means it’s easy to set up and take apart for cleaning in the sink or dishwasher.
It’s constructed from FDA food-grade and BPA-free plastic, so you won’t have to worry about your cat’s health or wellness.
The water flow of this fountain can be adjusted to suit your cat’s preferences.
Pros
- Easy to assemble and disassemble. Dishwasher safe and easy to clean.
- Large water capacity means this fountain is great for your whole cat family!
- Adjustable water flow and filter mean your cat has access to great-tasting water whenever they want.
Cons
- This bowl might not be suitable for the cat who hates getting their head wet. If your cat likes to drink from the bowl section of this fountain, it’ll be tough for them to avoid getting their ears splashed.
- Though the plastic bowl and spout are easy to clean, removing the wiring and motor before washing is not.
eC – The Cat Water Fountain You Never Clean by AquaPurr
This fountain is for the high-tech cat who thinks nothing’s better than water straight from the bathroom tap.
This motion-sensor fountain attaches to your bathroom sink and will only pump water when needed. There’s no cleaning, refilling, or filter changes required, as there’s no water reservoir. Once your cat figures out they just need to sit in front of the eC for fresh water, you’ll be set!
Pros
- Uses motion sensor technology, so the fountain only runs when your cat wants water.
- Never needs cleaning (beyond some basic maintenance), refilling, or a filter change.
- Takes up very little counter space.
Cons
- If you’re looking for a fountain that filters water (like removing chlorine), this fountain may not be the right purchase for you. There are no filters in this system, as it uses water straight from your tap.
- The sensor can be a bit too sensitive, triggering the system to run even if you’re just walking by the sink to use the toilet.
- This fountain is pretty expensive in comparison to the other fountains we’ve reviewed here.
Our Pick for Best Cat Water Fountain
Our favorite cat water fountain out of the ones we reviewed is Pioneer Pet’s Swan Pet Drinking Fountain. We like this filtering fountain because the filter lasts for at least a month, unlike some of other filters which may only last a couple weeks.
We also like the Pet Swan because it’s easy to assemble and disassemble. Though removing the wires and pump for cleaning might take a bit of effort, we love the simple design and shape of the fountain itself. With fewer complicated shapes and corners, there are fewer places where grime can build up.
However, we also really like AquarPurr’s eC fountain. The main reason we didn’t choose the eC fountain as our overall favorite is because of its cost. The eC is a motion-sensor fountain that doesn’t require much maintenance or cleaning, and its price tag reflects as such. The Swan fountain is much more affordable than the eC fountain, even though it does require some effort to keep it clean and running smoothly for years to come.
Whichever fountain you choose, we hope the cats in your life will be keeping themselves well-hydrated soon!