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The Best Cat Water Fountains
The Catit Flower Fountain is our top pick for most cats. See four more fountains, plus how to choose by size, material and cleaning.
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If your cat ignores a plain water bowl, a fountain may help. The Catit Flower Fountain is our top pick for most homes. It holds 3 liters, has three flow settings, and uses a filter. Below are four more fountains for different needs, and how to choose one.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Catit Flower Fountain
- Best stainless steel: Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain
- Best ceramic: Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Drinking Fountain
- Best cordless smart fountain: PETLIBRO Dockstream 2 Smart Fountain
- Best for big capacity: Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
The best cat water fountains
Cat water fountains
Catit Flower Fountain
Best for: Most single-cat homes
This fountain is made for cats and holds 3 liters. It has three flow settings, so you can find one your cat likes, and a window that shows the water level. Skip it if you want a non-plastic fountain, since the maker lists BPA-free plastics.
- Pro: Three water flow settings for picky drinkers
- Pro: Water level window shows when to refill
- Pro: Triple Action Filter catches hair and debris
- Con: Made of plastic, which some owners avoid
- Con: Not a good fit for a very large multi-cat home
Cat water fountains
Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain
Best for: Multi-cat homes and owners who want steel
This steel fountain holds 128 ounces and has an open bowl, so your cat can drink from any side. You can set one to five streams. Everything but the pump goes on the dishwasher top rack. It is big, so it may be too much for a small home with one cat.
- Pro: Stainless steel is rust- and scratch-resistant
- Pro: One to five free-falling streams
- Pro: All parts except the pump go on the dishwasher top rack
- Con: The pump must be washed by hand
- Con: Larger than most cat fountains
Cat water fountains
Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Drinking Fountain
Best for: Owners who want a ceramic bowl
This ceramic fountain holds 60 ounces and has a replaceable charcoal filter. The maker says the fountain parts are dishwasher safe. It is smaller than the others, so a multi-cat home will refill it more often.
- Pro: Heavy-duty ceramic construction
- Pro: Dishwasher-safe fountain parts, per the maker
- Pro: Replaceable charcoal filter
- Con: Smaller 60-ounce capacity
- Con: Needs weekly cleaning and a pump clean each month
Cat water fountains
PETLIBRO Dockstream 2 Smart Fountain
Best for: Owners who want to track drinking or avoid cords
This 3-liter fountain runs on a battery, so you don’t need an outlet nearby. The maker says it lasts about 30 days per charge when one pet uses it in sensor mode. An app tracks drinking and sends reminders. Skip it if you don’t want to use Wi-Fi or an app, or to change a filter every two weeks.
- Pro: Cordless, with about 30 days per charge in sensor mode
- Pro: Pump-free design and a dishwasher-safe stainless steel tray
- Pro: App reminders for refills, filters and cleaning
- Con: Needs Wi-Fi and an app for the smart features
- Con: The four-layer filter is replaced every two weeks
Cat water fountains
Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
Best for: Multi-cat homes and people who refill less often
This fountain holds 168 ounces. A reservoir refills the bowl as your cat drinks, so you refill less often. It has one adjustable stream and foam and carbon filters. It is the largest fountain here, at about 15.8 by 10.3 by 10 inches, so check your space first.
- Pro: Holds 168 ounces of water
- Pro: Adjustable free-falling stream
- Pro: Foam and carbon filters
- Con: Large, at about 15.8 x 10.3 x 10 inches
- Con: The pump must be washed by hand
How to choose a cat water fountain
Do you need a fountain at all?
Not always. The Merck Veterinary Manual says to offer your cat more than one bowl of fresh, clean water and to clean the bowls daily. It also says a fountain is an option, because cats are often drawn to moving water. Merck notes that canned food adds water to your cat’s diet too.
Size and capacity
Capacity here ranges from 60 ounces to 168 ounces. A bigger tank means fewer refills and may suit a home with more than one cat. A smaller fountain is easier to place. Look at the maker’s dimensions before you buy.
Material
- Plastic: The Catit Flower Fountain is made of BPA-free plastics, per the maker.
- Stainless steel: PetSafe calls its steel rust- and scratch-resistant.
- Ceramic: Pioneer Pet says ceramic bowls help prevent feline acne.
We found no veterinary source that ranks these materials, so pick based on cleaning and your cat.
Filters, pumps and cleaning
Most fountains use a filter and a pump. Filters need regular changes, and pumps need cleaning. Pioneer Pet says to clean its fountain weekly, change the filter every two to four weeks, and clean the pump monthly. PETLIBRO says to replace its filter every two weeks. Check how often each filter changes and what it costs to replace.
Power
Most fountains plug in. The PETLIBRO Dockstream 2 is cordless. PetSafe says the open bowl on its 360 model still gives your cat water if the power goes out.
Safety tips
- Keep water fresh. Refill and clean on the schedule your fountain’s maker gives.
- Keep a plain bowl too. Merck advises more than one water bowl. A second spot gives your cat a choice.
- Watch the cord. Fountains that plug in have a cord. Keep it tucked away so your cat can’t chew it.
- Watch how much your cat drinks. If your cat drinks and pees a lot, see your vet. Merck says this can point to an underlying problem.
- Introduce it slowly. Set the fountain next to the old bowl at first. Some cats take time to try something new.
For food that adds water to your cat’s day, see foods toxic to cats before you share any people food.
Common questions
Do cats need a water fountain?
No. A clean bowl of fresh water works for many cats. The Merck Veterinary Manual says a fountain is an option to encourage drinking, because cats are often drawn to moving water.
How often should I clean a cat water fountain?
Follow the maker's directions. Pioneer Pet, for example, says to clean its ceramic fountain weekly, change the filter every two to four weeks, and clean the pump monthly.
Where should I put my cat's fountain?
Merck advises offering more than one bowl of fresh water for your cat. Putting a fountain in a second spot gives your cat a choice.
Is a stainless steel or ceramic fountain better?
Neither is proven better for every cat. Stainless steel is rust- and scratch-resistant, per PetSafe. Pioneer Pet says ceramic bowls help prevent feline acne. Both claims come from the makers.
Should I worry if my cat drinks a lot?
Yes, tell your vet. Merck says a cat that drinks and pees a lot should be checked for an underlying problem.