8 Best Cat Drinking Fountains in 2022 (Professional Pet Care Provider-Reviewed)

You might be thinking, "Isn't a drinking fountain a luxury that my cat doesn't really need?" In fact, a fountain can actually improve their health and prevent future problems!

Most cats don't drink enough water. Their ancestors were desert dwellers who primarily got their hydration from their prey. With their modern domestic lifestyle, and especially if your cat eats dry food, they can be prone to chronic dehydration. Of course, that comes with a host of health issues.

So how can a fountain help? Many cats are attracted to the sound of running water and also seem to prefer the taste. So to encourage your kitty to drink more and reduce their risk of kidney and urinary problems, try a fountain.

Tired of your cat begging for you to turn on the faucet or drinking out of the toilet? Here are 8 great fountains that your cat will love. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Sheri Rydyznski. For more on our selection process, check out our editorial policy. Prices were gathered from respective EC sites on July 11, 2022.

Check out the material a fountain is made of and how easy it will be to clean. Some come with multiple spout options and extra features, too.

You'll find cat water fountains come in three materials for the body: plastic, stainless steel, and ceramic. However, we recommend avoiding plastic.

Plastic has many drawbacks as a material for pet water dishes. It will develop tiny scratches over time, and these can harbor bacteria. This can lead not only to digestive issues but may contribute to cat chin acne. Veterinarians believe bacterial growth on plastic dishes could be one of the triggers for acne breakouts.

Plastic can also retain odors, and this might discourage cats from drinking from the fountain. The lightweight also makes plastic fountains easier to knock over, and many are not dishwasher-safe.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, is easy to keep hygienic. It's dishwasher-safe and naturally resistant to bacterial growth. It also won't retain odors. However, it's light and could get knocked over by rowdy pets.

Ceramic has similar benefits to steel as far as cleanliness, but being heavier has both pros and cons. It makes ceramic fountains stable, but big ones can weigh a lot when they're full of water, which could be an issue when you need to clean them. Most are dishwasher-safe.

Most pet fountains will come with filters, and they may seem like a great idea. But they aren't as necessary as you might think, and can even make your cat's water dirtier! There are two types used: mechanical and chemical filters.

A mechanical filter is a physical trap that keeps out larger particles like hair and pet food. They usually come in the form of a sponge, fibers, or a screen. These are used to keep foreign objects out of the pump for as long as possible. Some can be rinsed and reused, and others will need replacing every few weeks.

Chemical filters for pet fountains are usually activated charcoal. They're designed to remove odors, chlorine, and impurities like pesticides. If you fill your cat fountain with clean tap water, the use of a charcoal filter is totally optional.

You may find that your cat prefers water filtered by charcoal, but in fact, the chlorine in tap water is there for a reason, after all; it keeps water cleaner. Charcoal filters also need to be rinsed thoroughly before putting them in to reduce dust.

They need frequent replacing, too. Many manufacturers say to switch them every two to four weeks, but in practice, a lot of pet owners notice a correlation between charcoal filter use and faster biofilm, or "slime," buildup, and have to change them more often.

If you buy a fountain that comes with filters, you can absolutely use it without them! Taking away the mechanical filter may mean you'll need to disassemble and clean the pump more often, but you should do that every week regardless of whether or not you use a filter.

If you do opt for filters, make sure you maintain them and replace them on schedule to avoid allowing bacteria and mold to grow and get your cat sick.

Any nooks and crannies inside a fountain are perfect spots for bacteria and mold to thrive. Slimy biofilm will also collect and need to be washed away. So, a simple design with few surfaces will be easier to keep clean.

Depending on how dirty the area where the fountain is kept is, the temperature, and other factors, you'll need to take it apart and clean it every few days to a week.

Check how much of it comes apart and how many pieces there are. The pump should be able to be disassembled as well, so you can clean the intake and impeller (the magnetic part that looks like a fan). If you don't keep it free of debris and slime, it will start to make noise or stop working.

A simple design may be easy to keep clean, but there are still some great features you can find among cat drinking fountains.

An adjustable flow rate on the pump allows you to increase and decrease the strength of the flow to find just the right one for your cat. Some come with multiple fountain head types, so you can try out different streams, trickles, bubblers, or waterfalls.

Some pumps come with auto shutoff, so if it runs dry it won't burn out the motor. Others have a battery backup that can keep water flowing if the power goes out. It's always good to look for one that has a pool of water, so it's still available in case the fountain stops working.

You should also consider the capacity, especially if you have multiple cats or dogs who will use the fountain, as dogs generally drink a lot more water than cats. Most vets recommend cats get between three and a half to five and a half ounces of water per pound of body weight each day.

There are a lot of variables, like evaporation, other pets, and the weather; so it may be easier to check how much they're urinating as opposed to how much they're drinking! Either way, having water sources in various locations around the house, and in places your cats like to spend time, will be the best way to ensure they get enough fluids.

Cats are well-known for being possessive creatures who assume everything belongs to them. And why would we try to change that? Indulge your kitty with this other great stuff!

Author: Susan Lucier-Ogawa

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