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The Best Water Fountains for Cats to Keep Them Hydrated and Healthy

Your cat will want to drink more water with these vet-recommended running water picks.

By Ysolt Usigan
best cat water fountains cat looking into automatic water fountain
Cheerble

If you're a cat owner, you likely already spoil your feline friend with plenty of interactive toys, cat houses, and stylish cat collars. But what about the latest tech? From the Litter Robot to automatic pet feeders and cat water fountains, there are plenty of tools to keep your cat healthy and happy and make your life easier, too. Cats are fairly self-sufficient creatures — cat parents know that with a bowl of dry food and a clean litter box, they should be fine if left alone while you're at work for the day or even if you go away overnight. But if your kitty has ever knocked over their water bowl or refused to drink still water for any number of reasons, you might be concerned about whether they're really consuming enough water throughout the day.

You may catch your cat pawing at their water bowl to create some form of movement, and you might’ve thought they were simply playing with it. The truth is, regardless of cat breed, they are naturally drawn to and generally prefer to drink moving water. According to Dr. Maureen K. Murithi, a veterinarian who works with Hepper.com, "cat water fountains are a valuable asset to cat parents, since cats are not so inclined to drink water. Cat fountains encourage cats to drink water; they work to stimulate the cat’s animal instinct to drink running water, similar to streams and rivers in the wild."

The best cat water fountains to buy in 2022

Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian working with ExcitedCats.com, reminds us that it can be a struggle to get your cat to drink enough water, which isn’t a positive when it comes to preventing health conditions like diabetes and kidney disease. "Cat water fountains can really increase a cat's water consumption because they filter the water to ensure your kitty always has fresh, clean water available," she explains. "Drinking enough water can go a long way in keeping a cat healthy."

With these benefits in mind, you may be ready to add a cat water fountain to your home. Keep reading for all of our top picks, plus helpful expert tips and answers to FAQs, so you can feel confident about choosing the right water fountain for your cat.

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      best overall cat water fountain
      Hepper
      Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
      Hepper
      $35 AT HEPPER.COM

      • made of stainless steel, which stays cleaner
      • sleek design
      • coconut shell activated carbon and ion exchange resin filtering system

      • taller than most water bowls, so factor that in for space

      It's unanimous: All of the experts we interviewed said they preferred stainless steel out of all the other materials that cat water fountains can be made out of. It's one of the cleanest, meaning you won't have to wash it as often as other cat water fountain types (like plastic).

      Dimensions 120 x 185 x 185 mm
      Material Stainless steel
      Capacity 2 liters
      most innovative cat water fountain
      Cheerble
      KittySpring Cat Water Dispenser with Reusable Filter
      Cheerble
      $50 AT AMAZON

      • whisker-friendly (some cats don't like their whiskers to touch the sides of bowls)
      • comes in 3 different colors
      • design makes it hard to knock over

      • holds about half a liter of water, less than other fountains on the market

      One of the most innovative we've seen on the market, we love the sleek design of this Cheerble cat water fountain. It comes with a glass water dish with a stimulation stone inside, mimicking the sound of a stream, plus a stable fountain base, water bottle, and non-slip pad.

      Dimensions 9.84 x 13.78 x 9.4 in
      Material Glass and BPA-free plastic
      Capacity 0.42 liters
      quietest cat water fountain
      PETLIBRO
      Capsule Water Fountain
      Petlibro
      $37 AT AMAZON

      • 2 drinking modes to choose from
      • easy to see when water is running low with translucent container
      • 5 different color options
      • comes with a cleaning brush

      • needs to be plugged in all the time to run

      Quality water is what your cat will get with this Petlibro find. It features a 5-level filtration system that uses ion exchange resin and coconut shell activated carbon to keep water super clean. The stainless steel version, which comes in Metal (pictured) and a Lavender Steel color, has a higher price point than the plastic options (blue, green, orange, and purple), but pros largely prefer the material for cleanliness. Choose from two drinking modes — one that looks like a faucet and the other where the water comes up. Regardless of your cat's preference, buyers love how quiet it is.

      Dimensions 8.86 x 5.6 x 5.5 in
      Weight 24.7 ounces
      Material Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic
      Capacity 2.1 liters
      cutest cat water fountain
      Catit
      Stainless Steel Flower Fountain With Triple Action Filter
      Catit
      Now 26% off
      $35 AT AMAZON

      • handy water level indicator lets you know when you need a refill
      • includes LED nightlight
      • most parts are dishwasher safe
      • 3 different water settings to choose from

      • must be disassembled to wash

      Not only is this cat water fountain adorable, it also promises to keep water clean while enticing cats to drink water. While not all of it is made of ultra-clean stainless steel, the plastic pieces in the product are also BPA-free. Of all the water fountains we found, this one holds the most. An energy-efficient pump will keep the triple-action water filter cleaning the water of impurities.

      Dimensions 8 x 8 x 6 in
      Weight 1.6 pounds
      Material Stainless steel drinking area, plastic base/reservoir
      Capacity 3 liters
      best ceramic cat water fountain
      PetSafe
      Creekside Ceramic Pet Fountain
      PetSafe
      $65 AT AMAZON $65 AT CHEWY $65 AT WAYFAIR

      • carbon filter and foam filter together remove bad tastes, odors, and cat fur from water
      • top-rack dishwasher safe

      • fountain pump needs to be handwashed separately

      Experts told us ceramic is another great option for cat water fountains. Though ceramic might be more fragile than stainless steel, vets told us it's just as clean. This ceramic cat fountain allows water to softly bubbles over the tower to entice cats to sip, while pumping water to help prevent bacteria from growing.

      Dimensions 12 x 11.8 x 7.4 in
      Weight 0.75 pounds
      Material Scratch-resistant ceramic
      Capacity 1.7 liters
      most popular cat water fountain
      Pet Fountain With Replacement Filters and Silicone Mat
      Amazon
      Now 15% off
      $29 AT AMAZON $54 AT WALMART

      • comes with a non-slip silicone pad
      • 3 different flow modes
      • 2 color choices

      • pump comes apart into smaller pieces that you'll need to clean to extend its life

      Well, 63,000 people can't be wrong. And that's how many people reviewed this cat water fountain on Amazon alone. It has garnered over 4 1/2 stars after tens of thousands of reviews, and boasts an ultra-quiet pump, large capacity, and a circulation system. The set also comes with three replacement filters made of activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and non-woven fabric, which all work together to keep the water clean.

      Dimensions 7.48 x 7.48 x 5.91 in
      Weight 1.98 pounds
      Material BPA-free resin and silicone pad
      Capacity 2.5 liters
      best budget-friendly cat water fountain
      Automatic Pet Drinking Fountain
      Amazon
      Now 19% off
      $21 AT AMAZON

      • comes with a quadruple filtration system and three layers of filtering
      • 17,000+ positive reviews on Amazon
      • beautiful to look at

      • not dishwasher safe; hand-wash only with soap and water
      • have to take apart the pump, which has small parts, to clean in order to extend its life

      Budget-friendly and oh-so sleek, we love the way that this cat water fountain features a fully transparent design. Being able to see the water inside the vessel and outside the fountain will sure entice cats. Cats will find the faucet mode fun. If they're too scared though, simply adjust it or remove it entirely to make water flow more gentle.

      Dimensions 6.8 x 6.8 x 6.5 in
      Weight 1.1 pounds
      Material Plastic
      Capacity 1.5 liters
      What to look for when shopping for cat water fountains
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      ✔️ Size for your space: Cat water fountains are pricier than your ordinary water bowl, so it’s important to understand your options. Dr. Murithi suggests considering the size of the fountain and where you plan to put it, because some may take up a lot of space.

      ✔️ Low noise: “Opt for fountains that don't make a lot of noise. Noisy ones may deter cats and can become a nuisance,” Dr. Murithi says. “You may want one with a quiet motor for more skittish cats as well,” Dr. Bonk agrees.

      ✔️ Filter options: “Opt for fountains that contain filters that help in trapping toxins and impurities, making the water safer to drink,” says Dr. Bonk. Dr. Murithi also notes that filters in water fountains help to trap chemicals, which can predispose cats to fewer infections. Some fountains come with one or more filters to get you started, while others are sold separately. Consider how often you'll need to replace them and how accessible or costly the replacement filters are before making your selection.

      FAQ
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      • Will all cats love a water fountain? Cats are fickle. Some might love it, while others might be skeptical. “Either the noise or the movement might be scary, so if you have a more timid cat, a water fountain might not be the best option,” Dr. Bonk says. That being said, Dr. Murithi points out that fountains may improve the taste and aroma of the water, which could make cats want to drink more, especially in the summer. They also keep water cooler and more oxygenated than standard water bowls.
      • What type of materials should you consider? According to Dr. Murithi, plastic cat water fountains might harbor a lot of bacteria and can be a source of allergies. Stone and wood, on the other hand, can hold onto odors. Stainless steel and ceramic materials are best as they are easy to clean and are hygienic.
      • Are cat water fountains easy to clean? “They can be difficult to clean, especially if bulky,” explains Dr. Murithi. “This can lead to a build-up of bacteria, especially in the filtering system.” So while you may not have to constantly refill a water bowl, you will need to clean your water fountain regularly inside and out.
      • Will cats play with the water fountain? The short answer is, maybe. “Cats may see the fountain as a toy and splash water everywhere making it a bit messy,” Dr. Murithi warns. Hey, at least they'll be hydrated!
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