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:
• Best overall cat water fountain: November Spring Cat Water Fountain with Water Level Window – View on Amazon
• Best for all cats and small dogs: PETKIT Smart Pet Drinking Fountain – View on Argos
• Best premium cat water fountain: PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Fountain – View on Amazon
They offer a great way to entertain 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 large-capacity cat water fountain
amazonDescription
A 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 comes with a large capacity and dishwasher-safe parts. You can grab some new filters and replacement water pumps super easily from Amazon, don't worry.
Customer Review: "My Bengal only drinks from a water fountain, over the years I've bought two in the past both plastic, he loved them initially but over time the build-up from limescale and dirt/slime from the water just start to stick to the plastic and doesn't come off even with a weekly thorough cleaning, the water starts to smell (like that kind of old fish tank smell) and my cat would be reluctant to drink from it. I've been looking for either an all-metal or all-ceramic water fountain all these years, finally, this one is here and it's amazing."
Pros
- Large capacity
- Upgraded pump and filtration system
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Cons
- No water-level indicator
- Noisy when running low on water
Best overall cat water fountain
amazonDescription
This Cat Water Fountain with Water Level Window 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 and has three different water flow settings.
Customer Review: "My kitten has been poorly refusing to drink so I decided to have a lookout there for ideas and this IS my answer! My kitten is drinking non-stop always at the fountain when I walk through the hallway. This fountain is silent, compact, cute, and very sturdy I love you can see how much water is left just by viewing the ‘level window’ makes it so much easier to just top it up daily."
Pros
- Safe materials
- Three water-flowing settings
- Super silent and power-saving
Cons
- Needs maintenance
Best for all cats and small dogs
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
Or - 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.
Customer Review: "I bought this a few weeks ago to replace a cheap fountain I got on Amazon. Really glad we got this, it’s so much quieter and really easy to set up and clean. I like that it’s got two modes and there is still water on the plate in smart mode, though my cat much prefers normal mode which is what it’s on now."
Pros
- Suitable for cats and smaller dogs
- Includes timer function
- De-ionises and purifies water
Cons
- Only one filter is included
Best premium cat water fountain
amazonDescription
If 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. It's dishwasher safe, has a hygienic build and has a replaceable carbon water filter.
Customer Review: "I picked the Pagoda because one of my new kittens discovered a fascination with water. I previously had a Catit water fountain which worked fine until the water play started. My kitten would disassemble until the fountain flooded my floor. Unlike a plastic fountain, the Pagoda is heavy enough so the cat can’t knock over so the pump is spraying water everywhere."
Pros
- Hygienic construction
- Levels help senior and arthritic cats
- Decent water capacity
Cons
- Some design flaws
Best budget cat water fountain
amazonDescription
If you're looking for a brilliant water fountain at an excellent price, then this Petiigo 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.
Customer Review: "I needed the fountain when I went on a business trip for three days. I was really worried about how my two female cats would handle it. But you know what? In three days there was still half the water in the fountain and what was important, the water was clean. now I can really count on the cats to have clean and oxygenated water. honestly, they also have a bowl of normal water right next to it and I usually see them drinking from it, but this way I can be sure that they always have clean water."
Pros
- Super quiet
- Indicator for water levels
- Ultra-filtration
Cons
- Needs to be a little more cat-proof
Best cat water fountain for design
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
We love this cute 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. How cute is this one?
Customer Review: "This is an amazingly quiet water fountain for cats - so quiet it is placed in the living room. Easy to clean, easy to fill up and best of all Boe really enjoys his new source of water."
Pros
- Multiple flow options
- LED nightlight to guide cats in darkness
- Auto-shutdown
Cons
- Difficult to clean
Best stainless steel water fountain
amazonDescription
Next, we recommend this sleek and easy-to-clean stainless steel Pioneer Pet Drinking Fountain with Raindrop Design. The quiet pump ensures oxygen is infused into the water, keeping it fresh for your cat. It's quirky, practical and hygienic. It's also easy to clean and is dishwasher safe, too.
Customer Review: "The best thing I've bought for my cats. I have had this item for two years now and it's great. You do have to look after it though as the pump could break. Once a month I take it apart to clean it and put the pump in a glass of white vinegar overnight to clean it (then put it in water and run it to flush the vinegar out) which keeps it running well. I live in a hard water area so put filtered water into it so the limescale build-up isn't as bad. I also just empty it and refill it mid-month to keep it fresh."
Pros
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe
- Quirky shape and design
- Continuously circulates filtered water
Cons
- Replacement parts are hard to get hold of
Best for travelling
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Description
The 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.
Customer Review: "I have had this fountain for about two years. I don't have a place near the food to plug in a fountain. This battery-operated fountain was a welcome addition to my house. When the batteries start to go low, Angel hits the bowl and meows as to say, this better start working soon. It's a little difficult to clean but it's worth it to make my little kitty happy. It works great and I have purchased one for a friend whose cat loves it too."
Pros
- Battery-saving technology
- Cat and dog-safe
- Saves money on bills
Cons
- Tricky to put together
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.