Ensuring your feline friend is adequately hydrated is no easy task, but the best cat water fountains will encourage them to keep drinking. After all, as every cat owner knows, our moggies aren't always super enthusiastic about drinking water (or eating cat food for that fact) from any old cat bowl, so this is where cat water fountains come into play.
Cat water fountains are hygienic, low-maintenance and fun for your furry friend to enjoy - plus they provide a source of a constant chilled water flow. According to the PDSA, there are nearly 11 million pet cats in the UK with 24 per cent of households owning a kitty, so the cat fountain fever is taking over the country.
Best cat water fountains at a glance:
They offer a great way to hydrate your kitty while keeping them entertained, which is why cat water fountains are so good for them. If your cat is always hanging around your dripping taps in the kitchen when they've got perfectly good water sitting in their bowl, there is a reason for that. They are naturally drawn to running water since they see it as being fresher than water in a bowl. Just like an automatic feeder makes sure your kitty has all the food they need, a water fountain will make sure they have enough water at all times.
You need to make sure your cat stays hydrated at all times of the year, but it's particularly important in summer. Cats of all breeds and sizes are at risk of overheating if they get too warm. That's why a water fountain for cats is a great idea, as they'll be enticed into drinking the fresh water to keep cool. We've rounded up all the best cat water fountains below that will keep your kitty refreshed and hydrated throughout the year.
The best cat water fountains UK
Best overall cat water fountain
November Spring/amazonThis November Spring Cat Water Fountain is, without a doubt, the cream of the crop. Affordable, easy to set up, and it's ultra-silent, so you can keep it running throughout the day without worrying about the noise. We also love that it's environmentally friendly with its low power consumption design, and has three different water flow settings to lure your kitty to use the fountain.
Customers online adore the cute and colourful floral design and appreciate how quiet it is. Overall, reviews mention how easy it is to clean although some say the pump can be a little fiddly.
Pros
- Three water-flowing settings to lure your kitty to use it
- Super silent and environmentally friendly as it has a low power consumption design
Cons
- Pump can be a little fiddly
| Dimensions: | 19 x 19 x 17.2 cm |
| Capacity: | 2.5 litres |
| Material: | Silicone, Resin |
- Water level window
- Ultra silent
- Healthy and hygienic
- Three modes
- Comes with a carbon filter
Best large-capacity cat water fountain
TOMXCUTE/amazonA brilliant water fountain for an affordable price, we love that the TOMXCUTE Cat Water Fountain comes with an upgraded pump and three replacement filters. Plus, it has a large 3.2 litre capacity and dishwasher-safe parts.
With over 15,000 reviews and an average star rating of 4.4 stars, this is clearly a popular choice with other pet owners. It rates highly for being an easy-to-assemble, quiet water fountain that looks great and feels well-made. Some reviewers have mentioned the pump stopped working after several months, but you can super easily grab a replacement water pump as well as new filters from Amazon.
Pros
- Large capacity of 3.2 litres
- Easy to clean, thanks to dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Some reviewers mentioned the pump stopped working after several months but it is very easily replaced
| Dimensions: | 22.5 x 22.5 x 10.5 cm |
| Capacity: | 3.2 litres |
| Material: | Stainless Steel |
- Carbon filter for great filtering
- Upgraded pump for low power consumption
- Ultra-quiet for nighttime use
- Pumo is detachable and clean
Best for cats and small dogs
Petkit Why not consider this PETKIT Smart Pet Drinking Fountain? It's a triple-purifying system to offer fresh water to your pet at all times. Suitable for cats and smaller dog breeds, this fountain has an activated carbon filter to help clear the water of impurities. Plus, it has a noise-minimising pump for a silent fountain.
This PETKIT fountain comes recommended by 90 per cent of the customers who have reviewed it, saying they love how quiet it is and really easy to clean and set up. One reviewer thought it was on the smaller side so perhaps this fountain wouldn't be ideal for those homes with multiple cats to drink from at once.
Pros
- Suitable for cats as well as smaller dogs
- De-ionises and purifies water thanks to the activated carbon filter
Cons
- One reviewer mentions it is smaller than they expected so may not be the best option for multiple cat households
| Dimensions: | 16.8 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm |
| Capacity: | 2 litres |
| Material: | Plastic |
- Noise-minimising pump
- Ion exchange resin
- Activated carbon filter
- Time function
Best premium cat water fountain
PetSafe/AmazonIf you're looking for a truly luxurious cat fountain, then you've found it. The dual free-falling streams of the PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Fountain infuse more oxygen into the water which ensures the water is kept fresh and will encourage your pet to drink more. As it's made with raised levels, it ensures that senior cats and arthritic cats don't have to bend down too far to get a drink. It's dishwasher safe, has a hygienic build and has a replaceable carbon water filter.
Reviewers appreciate the aesthetic design of this water fountain and also found it to be very easy to assemble once it arrived. Due to the dual streams of water, some reviewers found the trickling water to be quite noisy, despite the motor being silent.
Pros
- Hygienic construction of dual-flowing water
- Raised level helps senior and arthritic cats to drink
Cons
- Some reviewers found the trickling water to be noisy
| Dimensions: | 27 x 31.1 x 21.3 cm |
| Capacity: | 2 litres |
| Material: | Porcelain, Stoneware |
- Two bowl levels
- Hygienic construction
- Low voltage 12V system
- Submersible pump
- Foam, carbon filter
Best budget cat water fountain
amazonIf you're looking for a brilliant water fountain at an excellent price, then this Emboot Cat Water Fountain is the one for you. It's incredible value for price and is super-efficient too. With noise levels less than 40db, it's ultra-quiet, thanks to the power-saving pump. It's also got three water modes to suit the needs of your pet plus there's an indicator for the water level so you know when it needs topping up again.
Some reviews felt this fountain could be more durable whereas others thought it was a pretty solid product that looks great and offers value for money.
Pros
- Super quiet with noise levels less than 40db
- Indicator for water levels so you can see when it's getting low
Cons
- Some customers felt it could be more durable
| Dimensions: | 22 x 19 x 15.5 cm |
| Capacity: | 2.4 litres |
| Material: | Stainless Steel |
- Durable stainless-steel design
- Low consumption pump
- LED fill-indicator light
- Adjustable water flow
- High-quality filtration system
Best cat water fountain for design
How adorable is this Catit PIXI Water Fountain, which provides hydration at its cutest? Encouraging for your cat, this water fountain provides triple-filtered water - with no debris, odours or impurities. Plus, it comes with a built-in indicator for the water level and a nightlight for your cats during the night.
A lot of the reviews on this product say it's the best thing they've bought for their cats with them saying it's helped them monitor their cats' water intake. One thing to note, however, is although the removable spout makes it easier to clean, more inquisitive kitties may accidentally remove it while playing which could leave you with a larger mess to clean up.
Pros
- Multiple flow options
- LED nightlight to guide cats in darkness
Cons
- The removable spout could be removed by your cat
| Dimensions: | 19.5 x 21.5 x 5 cm |
| Capacity: | 2.5 litres |
| Material: | Plastic |
- Fully detachable pump
- Water level indicator
- LED nightlight
- Three different flow options
- Spout is adjustable
- USB output with <1W usage
- Auto-shutdown
Best stainless steel water fountain
Pioneer/AmazonNext, we recommend this sleek and easy-to-clean stainless steel Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain with its quirky raindrop design. The quiet pump ensures oxygen is infused into the water, keeping fresh, filtered water continuously circulating for your cat. It's easy to clean and is dishwasher-safe, too, making it practical and hygienic.
Its attractive design and the overall quality of this water fountain are things that are mentioned frequently in customer reviews. Reviews also state that it's easy to clean but some mention that because of the material it's made out of, it gets watermarked very easily.
Pros
- Quirky shape and design
- Continuously circulates filtered water
Cons
- Due to the stainless steel material, it will show up water marks more easily
| Dimensions: | 29.21 x 22.86 x 11.43 cm |
| Capacity: | 1.7 litres |
| Material: | Stainless Steel |
- Replaceable charcoal filter
- Super silent with a quiet pump
- High-quality and durable steel
Best for travelling
Petmate/AmazonThe Petmate Fresh Flow Battery Pet Water Fountain can be used anywhere without the need for mains power, making it a great option for taking with you if you're out and about with your kitty. Battery-operated, this fountain is self-balancing, silent and has a time-out feature to save on battery life.
Pet owners love that this water fountain is battery-operated as it means they have the freedom to place it wherever they want and they don't have to worry about their cats chewing or humans tripping over a power cable. Customers have reported that as it's quite lightweight and the suction pads at the bottom could be more powerful, cats have been able to easily knock this over.
Pros
- Doesn't need to be mains operated so great for travel
- Has a time-out feature to save the battery power
Cons
- As it's lightweight, it may be easy for cats to knock over compared to others
| Dimensions | 31 x 24 x 22.6cm |
| Capacity | 2.2 litres |
| Material | Unspecified. |
- Battery powered fountain
- Self-balancing reservoir and pump
- Constant flow due to gravity
- Two drinking locations
- Auto-shut-off is battery-saving
How we chose the best cat water fountains
All of these cat water fountains have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered design, ease of use and noise in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching cat water fountains to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
FAQs
How do I choose a cat water fountain?
Thanks to Litter Robot, we have some tips on what to look out for:
Filters – can help “remove additional toxins and keep your cat’s drinking water safe,” according to Litter Robot. Opt for a fountain with a suitable filter, as tap water can be full of nasties.
Size – is an important factor. You need to make sure to consider the dimensions of a fountain and measure up the space you have available. You don’t want to buy a super bulky fountain for a tiny kitten. When the fountain is easily accessible, your cat will drink more.
Convenience – should be high on your list. After all, water fountains are super convenient and suit those of us with a busy lifestyle. Opt for a fountain where you can bulk-buy replacement filters. Some of our picks are easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, too.
Materials – should be considered, especially if your cat has allergies and sensitivities. Unfortunately, plastic is prone to harbouring those nasty bacteria, whereas stainless steel is much more hygienic. Make sure to follow cleaning and maintenance instructions for your chosen fountain, and if your cat does have intolerances, consider a cat food for itchy skin and allergies too.
Noise – is another factor to consider. Go for something quiet and peaceful. Make sure to scour reviews and check what customers are saying. Lots of cat fountains are silent.
Cost – can be a factor for some. A lower-cost fountain “may have a shorter lifespan and require regular replacement,” according to Litter Robot. However, something a little more pricey may be worth the money – and will save you dosh in the long run.
Appearance – will come into play. Go for something that fits with your aesthetic, but don’t sacrifice too much practicality for style. You need to make sure it’s a safe drinking environment for your cat.
Are cat water fountains good for your cat?
According to Litter Robot, research is required when finding a water fountain for your cat. But, they are generally safe.
There are risks of sickness if the fountain and filter are not cleaned out often. Therefore, it's "important to clean them regularly because bacteria can build up and cause skin irritation or other issues."
It is recommended that you place the fountain in a place "that is easy for your cat to access", which will encourage them to drink from it more frequently. Let's keep their fluids up. If there is some slime in your cat's fountain, don't worry. This is natural due to their saliva when licking the water. Just make sure to keep the fountain clean.
Though a cat water fountain encourages proper hydration and increased nutrient absorption, it can sometimes become an electrical hazard and a mess. So, monitor your use as much as possible and regularly check for any issues.
How often do I need to clean a pet water fountain?
Litter Robot recommends at least once a week. Make sure to “change the water fountain filters per the instruction manual” to keep everything safe for your pet. Believe it or not, some filters need to be changed very often. Make sure to follow the directions and replace the filter when directed.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Take a Break, specialising in pet health. When she’s not barking about dog supplements, she’s online devouring cat content.