Best Water Fountains for Cats

Cats can be finicky–but any of these water fountains for cats will entice them into drinking more water.

For animals that have a reputation of hating water, cats sure are obsessed with it. Just think about it. How many times have you found your pampered feline trying to drink water from the faucet? Or maybe your kitty has an unhealthy obsession with the toilet bowl? Or is it stalking you while you try to take a shower that gave it away? Either way, there’s no denying that the relationship cats have with water is a complex one, and that’s especially true when it comes to drinking it.

Why do I need a water fountain for my cat?

Some cats will turn up their nose to any drinking water that doesn’t come straight from the tap, others avoid plastic or steel bowls in favor of ceramic ones (or any other combination of likes and dislikes), and some felines seem disinterested in drinking water whichever way you serve it to them. There are many factors that could influence your pet’s relationship with water, from instinctual to behavioral. However, what remains true for most is that running, fresh water is the coveted ideal and often preferred over any other, and that’s exactly what water fountains for cats offer. A hassle-free, tidy, and practical way to provide fresh water for your feline, water fountains for cats can make even the finickiest of felines happy to gulp- and this list includes the best ones you can get on the market.

Why Are Cats So Weird With Water?

You might have noticed that your cat won’t drink water unless it’s freshly poured into their bowl. (That’s why they’re trying to lick the faucet, in case you didn’t get their hint.) Contrary to popular belief, it’s your kitty being spoiled or fickle- this preference is actually due to their innate instincts to be wary of still water, as in the wild, a stagnant water source is rarely good news for an animal. Still water in the wild is far more likely to be contaminated, and it’s why animals prefer running water as their source of replenishment. So, your pet’s ancestors would avoid puddles in favor of streams, and some experts believe that this instinct remains in cats to this very day, which they express by turning up their nose over bowls and going for the sink instead.

You see, in addition to being particular about their drinking habits, cats are not big on drinking water in the first place. The reason for this, again, lies with their non-domesticated fellows. Cats who are not pets and thus eat their natural diet, get the majority of the moisture content need for functioning from their prey. Raw meat, organs, and cartilage that an average ancestor of your tabby would consume is made up from 60 to 75 percent of water content. Needless to say, this type of diet and an occasional trip to a stream would keep a cat of ye olde perfectly healthy and hydrated, but what’s the case for our domesticated household lions?

Most cats eat kibble and little else, and this drastically changes the water content they can get through food. Dry food for cats contains only about 5 to 10 percent moisture content, which is drastically lower than felines are used to getting from their meals. By default, cats are not used to drinking a lot of water to compensate for lack of moisture in food (they never had to), so if you are feeding your cat kibble exclusively, getting them to drink more water is a must if for their health and wellbeing.

How to Get a Cat to Drink More Water

To start things off, you don’t always have to increase water intake to meet your cat’s moisture needs. For instance, if your cat’s health and diet allow it, substituting a part of their dry food meals for wet food can help. Wet or canned food, as well as frozen or freeze-dried meals for cats, contain a moisture ratio more similar to their original diet. Sometimes, the minimal water intake plus a high moisture diet make sure your cat is in top form. Of course, not all cats can (or will) eat food other than kibble, so completely overhauling your pet’s diet might not work for you.

For most pet parents, the easiest and most convenient way to get a cat to drink more water is to get a water fountain. The prices are reasonable and there are water fountains to meet every budget from tight to lax, and they’re not a hassle to set up or take apart. Essentially, you won’t have to go through any kind of ordeal to meet your kitty’s needs. Score! But why are water fountains for cats a solution? Will a fountain really get your cat to drink more water? The short answer is YES.

The long answer is that water fountains for cats play into their base instincts and universal preference of running water over still one. By relying on a pump to circulate water, fountains make sure your kitty always has fresh water at the tip of their whiskers, without having to resort to sitting in the sink for it. Many of the water fountains also have a filtration system that traps debris and removes odors, making the water more palatable. And yup, the fresher and cleaner taste really matters to finicky felines. What can we say- cats are peculiar and we love them for it.

The first factor is the material of the water fountain. Most come in plastic (the cheapest option), but stainless steel and ceramic are also popular options. The non-plastic materials are popular because they can’t cause feline acne or harbor bacteria like plastic does if not cleaned regularly. The stainless steel water fountains are the most durable and pet-friendly option, but if you’re not worried about breaking it, a ceramic fountain for pets is certainly the prettiest and healthiest option for felines. Plastic’s main advantage is that it is budget-friendly, but beyond that, there isn’t much this material offers. Cats that have sensitive skin or those prone to allergies might develop skin conditions as a result of drinking from plastic bowls, and if not cleaned regularly and properly, plastic can become a breeding ground for nasty microorganisms.

Another important factor is the capacity of the water fountain. After all, it’s not the same if you live with a single feline or have multiple cats or other pets in the household. The container capacity of water fountains for cats can range from 40 oz all the way to 200 oz, so there are options for every family’s needs. Of course, in this case, the bigger the better adage rings true. Too small for your household’s needs, and you’ll have to add water every couple of hours which defeats the purpose if you’re getting the fountain for its convenience or simply to make sure water your cat is drinking is always fresh. No one wants to have to refill a fountain every couple of hours, and it can be impossible to do so when you work long hours to begin with. A good rule of thumb is to go for a size up than what you think you’d need. Better safe than sorry!

As for the design itself, the possibilities are almost limitless. Raised or low, for one cat or multiple cats, with one or two streams–there’s a style for any cat’s needs. The versatility is so impressive that you can find just about anything you need, whether it’s a functional fountain that happens to match your kitchen tiles or an engaging design meant to further entice your cat into drinking. In the end, design is an individual preference and you’ll have to be the one to gauge what your kitty needs, as well as what works for you and your budget.

Of course, having in mind how finicky and spoiled cats usually are, it can be hard finding the perfect water fountain to suit their refined tastes. You can never know what reaction you’ll cause with a new kitty gadget: they can either be thrilled with the novelty of it or ignore it completely out of feline spite. However, with most water fountains for cats, success is guaranteed- no matter what design or materials you end up going for, rare is the kitty that would be fully immune to the enticing splish and splash of fresh running water.

How often should I change my cat’s water fountain?

It will all depend on the number of pets using the fountain, the quality of water, and of course, the quality of the fountain and the filters itself. Cat water fountains usually come with a manual and instructions, so you should stick to their recommended practices for the specific water fountain: how often to change the water or replace the filters for best results. As a rule of thumb, the water in the fountain should be changed every few days if you have one pet and a large capacity fountain, and daily if there are more cats using the same fountain. Filters usually have to be replaced every two to four weeks, but again, check the specific instructions for your type of fountain to be sure.

How do you keep a cat’s water fountain clean?

In addition to regularly replacing the fountain’s filter every few weeks, you will have to thoroughly clean your pet’s water fountain on a weekly basis to prevent bacteria buildup, limescale buildup, and generally make sure that everything is in top shape and that your kitty is getting fresh and clean water each day. Disassemble the fountain and wash dishwasher-safe parts in a dishwasher, and those that should be washed by hand scrub with a brush or rinse under water, depending on the part. In any case, be sure to use pet-safe cleaning products at all times.

How often should I clean my cat’s water fountain?

Generally, most recommend cleaning your cat’s fountain on a weekly basis, just to stay on top of the game and prevent buildup from happening. If you fail to clean the fountain regularly, it will likely malfunction because limescale and plaque tend to form in the crevices, and not to mention that bacteria can thrive in a pet fountain that hasn’t been cleaned regularly and thoroughly. To make sure that everything is in working order and your pet’s drinking water is clean and safe, take time to disassemble and thoroughly clean the fountain once a week.