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As a pet parent, you know how important it is for your fur babies to drink enough water. It keeps them hydrated, prevents urinary infection and kidney disease, and helps them stay as healthy as possible. Cats, however, aren't always enthusiastic about drinking from a regular dish, which is where pet water fountains come in. Aside from providing your feline with a source of flowing water, a drinking fountain will ideally be easy to access, hygienic, and low-maintenance.
Here are the best cat water fountains available today.
Best Overall: PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain
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When it comes to drinking fountains for cats, the PetSafe Drinkwell 360 shines above the competition. This sleek product can hold up to 128 ounces of water. It's the perfect size for one cat, multiple kitties, and even a dog. Your pet will have continuous access to filtered water, which streams out of five spouts on the top and flows down the sides. You can easily adjust the flow by twisting the top.
Its high-grade stainless steel construction and constant flow of water inhibit bacteria growth. A standard plug and outlet power it, but your cat can still drink from the open bowl if the electricity goes out. Most of the parts are dishwasher safe, so you can easily wash it when it gets less than fresh.
"We found the stainless steel bowl and cone were easy to clean, whether washing by hand or in the top rack of the dishwasher." —Sharon Lehman, product tester
Best Budget: Beacon Pet Cat Water Fountain
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If you're on a budget, we recommend the Beacon Pet Cat Water Fountain. This circular product is made of stainless steel and durable, BPA-free plastic. It has an 81-ounce water capacity and three flow modes, including waterfall, bubble, and gentle fountain.
This feline drinking fountain also has an LED indicator light: blue for full of water and red for empty. The colors attract cats, further enticing them to drink. It's notably quiet, with a circulating filtration system that removes hair, food particles, and dirt.
Best Splurge: PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Fountain for Pets
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If you want to splurge on your kitty, consider the PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda. This elegant square fountain has a 70-ounce capacity and provides your cat with fresh-flowing filtered water. Made of chic glazed, high-density porcelain, this product is non-porous and naturally antimicrobial. It's also easy to clean and dishwasher-safe on the top rack.
The Drinkwell Pagoda has an activated carbon filter with an added foam layer. This helps ensure tap water tastes and smells good while removing hair and other debris. The overall design makes this water source look appealing, too.
Best Stainless Steel: Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Raindrop Fountain
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If you prefer stainless steel, we suggest the Pioneer Pet Raindrop Fountain. This shiny stainless steel bowl comes in a 60-ounce or 96-ounce capacity. It uses a replaceable charcoal filter and delivers a continuous stream of fresh, appealing water for ultimate hydration. The Raindrop Fountain is naturally resistant to bacteria and mold growth. It's also easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
Best with Filter: Catit Flower Plastic Water Fountain
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We love the Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain, which has a compact, customizable design. It has three flow modes. You can switch between a faucet-like stream, bubbling, and a gentle stream to test what your cat prefers. If you want to adjust the flow to allow more or less streaming water, you change the flower fountain parts' configuration.
This pet drinking fountain has a triple-action filter to remove calcium, magnesium, debris, and odors from the water. And since water doesn't sit at the bottom of a bowl, dirt, dust, and hair do not settle in the water.
Best for Multiple Cats: Veken Automatic Pet Fountain
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If you have more than one cat, the Veken Pet Fountain is your best bet. It holds 84 ounces of water and comes with a durable silicone mat, which helps keep a high pet traffic area dry and clean. Similar to the Catit, water streams out of a flower-shaped spout at the top in a waterfall, bubble, or gentle fountain mode.
The Veken Pet Fountain has a triple filtration system with one cotton, one activated carbon, and one ion-exchange layer—and you'll get three replacement filters with your purchase. This cat drinking fountain is an ultra-quiet product with a long-lasting, low-consumption pump.
Best Battery-Powered: HoneyGuaridan Pet Fountain
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Most cat water fountains are powered by electricity, but if you're interested in a battery-operated option, we recommend the HoneyGuaridan Pet Fountain. This clear thermoplastic product runs on a 18650 battery (not included), making it versatile, portable, and functional even when the power goes out. It has a dual-power adaptor, so you can also plug it into a standard outlet.
This drinking fountain has an integrated pump and a circulating filtration system to effectively remove pet hair, dirt, dust, and food particles from the water. You'll also get a replaceable carbon filter, which keeps the water smelling and tasting fresh.
Best Ceramic: Cepheus 360 Ceramic Pet Fountain
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Another standout option is the Cepheus 360 Pet Fountain. With a round, riveted ceramic design, it's reminiscent of a creme brulee ramekin. This cat fountain holds up to 70 ounces of water and has three free-falling streams to entice your pet to drink.
The eco-friendly ceramic is a naturally durable and scratch-resistant material. It can be wiped down with a cloth or easily disassembled for thorough cleaning. This drinking fountain is also extremely quiet, running on low-voltage.
Overall, the best cat water fountain is the PetSafe Drinkwell 360. It has the largest capacity, a premium filtration system, and a sleek design. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Beacon Pet Cat Water Fountain (view at Amazon) is an excellent choice.
What to Look for in a Cat Fountain
Ease of use
Some water dispensers are easier to set up, fill, and clean than others. Consider if the dispenser uses filters, the frequency they need to be replaced, and the steps needed to keep it clean. While some may be dishwasher-safe, others require hand-washing.
Noise
If you’re going to place your dispenser somewhere you can hear it, sound may be a major factor. Some people like the sound of trickling water, but others with sensitive ears may prefer a quiet model. Beyond the sound of the water, pay attention to the sound of the fountain’s motor—some can be noisy.
Size
The number of cats you have and their size are factors to consider when selecting a water fountain. Some are adjustable, have multiple levels to suit cats of varying sizes, or hold a higher water capacity for multiple cats.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a professional writer and pet lover with substantial experience writing about cats, dogs, and animal care. In addition to The Spruce, she writes for MyDomaine and Byrdie.
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