Every cat owner has heard the news—our felines don’t drink enough water. But how many of us have kitties that run to the faucet to lap up some tap water when you turn the handle? Water fountains for animals provide a fresh flow that encourages your cat to drink more.
So, if you’re in the market for a water fountain but have no idea where to begin—fret not. We did the hard work for you, checking out six of the best products we could find. Below are some reviews so you can get a better look at each cat water fountain.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
Stainless steel materials
Upscale and sleek design
Coconut shell activated carbon, and ion exchange resin filtering
Check Price
Best Value
NPET WF050 Cat Water Fountain
Affordable
Easy cleaning
Clear fill lines
Check Price
Premium Choice
POLAME Cat Water Fountain
Quiet pump
High water capacity
Food-grade 304 stainless steel
Check Price
Best Cat Water Dispenser
isYoung Cat Fountain
LED light
Free-falling stream
Customizable water flow
Check Price
PTDHP Cat Fountain
BPA-free
Slow pour
Multiple settings
Check Price
The 7 Best Cat Water Fountains
- Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain – Best Overall
Check Latest Price on Hepper
Filter: Coconut shell activated carbon, and ion exchange resin filtering
Settings: Auto
Capacity: 2 Liters
As far as cat water fountains go, we consider Hepper’s water fountain to be the overall best cat water fountain. It’s made of stainless steel, can hold 2 liters of water, and is a great alternative to a regular water bowl. Standard water bowls can easily become awash with cat hairs and other contaminants, something Hepper’s water fountain is designed to avoid.
Check Latest Price on Hepper
Filter: Coconut shell activated carbon, and ion exchange resin filtering
Settings: Auto
Capacity: 2 Liters
It uses a filter made with coconut shell activated carbon and ion exchange resin. This system filters out hair, chlorine, and other heavy metals to make your cat’s drinking water is as clean and fresh as possible.
Hepper’s water fountain is a little basic appearance-wise, so you may not be drawn to it if you’re looking for something with a cute or decorative design or that comes in different colors. However, stainless steel is one of the easiest materials to clean and is therefore extremely hygienic. So, if you’re looking for something low maintenance that keeps your cat’s water fresh, Hepper’s simple and durable water fountain is worth considering.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Pros
Made of stainless steel
Advanced filtration system
Low maintenance
Encourages better drinking habits
Cons
Basic appearance
A little expensive
- NPET WF050 Cat Water Fountain – Best Value
Check Latest Price
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: One
Capacity: 5 liters
If you’re looking to save a few dollars, you can check out the NPET WF050 Cat Water Fountain. It’s the best cat foundation for the money. This fountain is completely clear, creating a sleek appearance. The water flows directly into the pool, creating a faucet experience for your feline.
Made of stainless steel
Advanced filtration system
Low maintenance
Encourages better drinking habits
- Made of stainless steel
- Advanced filtration system
- Low maintenance
- Encourages better drinking habits
Basic appearance
A little expensive
- Basic appearance
- A little expensive
Check Latest Price
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: One
Capacity: 5 liters
This design acts as an attractant to encourage your kitty to drink more. There are lines on the front of the fountain to show you the minimum and maximum necessary to make this fountain flow appropriately.
Overflowing and underfilling can result in damage to the pump or spilling. The pump has a silicone tube that is necessary to make the entire design work. This particular design does not come with a wall plug, so that is something that you will need to get after the purchase.
The company recommends a 5V adapter to operate it. This particular design has a large capacity, holding up to 1.5 liters of water.
It contains a three-layer filter that will eliminate debris, bacteria, and odor for all ultimate freshness. There is a quick-release feature on this item, so you can take it apart easily for routine cleaning. Overall, we think it’s an excellent value for the price, but it isn’t as versatile as some others.
Pros
Clear fill lines
Easy cleaning
Affordable
Cons
Adapter not included
- POLAME Cat Water Fountain – Premium Choice
Check Latest Price
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: Three
Capacity: 2.5 liters
If you’re looking for top-notch quality and don’t mind paying the extra, you should definitely look at the POLAME Cat Water Fountain. Rather than being plastic, the well-made design is food-grade 304 stainless steel.
Clear fill lines
Easy cleaning
Affordable
- Clear fill lines
- Easy cleaning
- Affordable
Adapter not included
- Adapter not included
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: Three
Capacity: 2.5 liters
The idea is to be more hygienic, so it doesn’t retain any bacteria. We really loved the fact that this fountain is so quiet, meaning you don’t constantly hear the sound of the pump. It has a triple filter to refresh, clean, and sift—and there are three included in the purchase.
There are three different flow modes which are the flower waterfall, flower bubble, and gentle fountain. Each mode is efficient, but your favorite will depend on the preference of your kitty. This is considered a large capacity dispenser, holding up to 2.5 liters. It is perfect for a multi-cat household.
It might be a little bit more expensive than regular fountains, but we really think it’s worth it if you’re looking for something to reduce as much bacteria as possible. We love that it’s easy to clean, and it looks pretty great in the home as well.
Pros
Food-grade 304 stainless steel
Quiet pump
High water capacity
Cons
Pricey
- isYoung Cat Fountain – Best Cat Water Dispenser
Check Latest Price
Filter: 2-layer
Settings: Several
Capacity: 51 ounces
This shallow fountain is perfect for kittens because they can easily access it. It is an all-electric cat fountain with an extremely quiet pump that doesn’t disrupt everyday living. It includes a freshwater filter and a free-falling stream that will encourage your kitten to drink.
Food-grade 304 stainless steel
Quiet pump
High water capacity
- Food-grade 304 stainless steel
- Quiet pump
- High water capacity
Pricey
- Pricey
Filter: 2-layer
Settings: Several
Capacity: 51 ounces
The isYoung Cat Fountain has a 51-ounce water capacity making it perfect for kittens and cats alike. You can adjust the stream with ease, customizing the water flow that works best for your kitten. This design is completely sleek, and it looks perfect in any household.
An LED light comes from the fountain so your kitten can locate it even at night. This design is straightforward to clean as you can disassemble it with ease. It comes with a charcoal and ion exchange resin filter to clean the water appropriately with each cycle.
Pros
LED light
Free-falling stream
Customizable water flow
Cons
Filter only has 2 layers
- PTDHP Cat Water Fountain
Check Latest Price
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: Two
Capacity: 84 ounces
Overall, we loved the PTDHP Cat Water Fountain the very most. It is easy to clean, and the water flows out nicely with a slow pour that attracts your kitties. The entire design is adorable, creating a flower petal center with a sturdy silicone mat to catch spills.
LED light
Free-falling stream
Customizable water flow
- LED light
- Free-falling stream
- Customizable water flow
Filter only has 2 layers
- Filter only has 2 layers
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: Two
Capacity: 84 ounces
In addition to the fountain itself, it comes with many goodies to get you started. Also, the flower center is optional, you can remove it entirely to create a bubbling flow of water that filters itself. The entire product is BPA-free, so you don’t have to worry about any harsh chemicals.
It comes with replaceable carbon filters so that you won’t have any imminent replacement costs. Each filter contains a combination of activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and cotton for ultimate cleanliness.
There is a light on the front of the fountain that will notify you when the filter is due for a change. Lastly, it has an 84-ounce water capacity which is perfect for one or multiple house cats.
Pros
Slow pour
BPA-free
Multiple settings
Good for multi-cat households
Cons
None
- OYESauto Store Cat Water Fountain
Check Latest Price
Filter: 3-Layer + Sponge
Settings: Three
Capacity: 2.5 liters
We appreciate the OYESauto Store Cat Water Fountain design because it is well-made and highly efficient. The stainless steel prevents bacteria buildup in the design, and there is a double filter inside as well. One of the filters is a sponge that creates a pre-filter that takes out any impurities and extends the pump life. The other filter is one that filters out any debris that might be in the water.
Slow pour
BPA-free
Multiple settings
Good for multi-cat households
- Slow pour
- BPA-free
- Multiple settings
- Good for multi-cat households
None
- None
Filter: 3-Layer + Sponge
Settings: Three
Capacity: 2.5 liters
It also softens hard water, which is a perk if you have a well or hard water. You have four of them to get you started before you have to worry about replacement. It’s extremely simple to put the fountain together, as each piece fits comfortably into the next. You can take it apart to clean it anytime it needs.
At night, the fountain emits a low blue LED light so both you and your cat can locate it. The pump is relatively quiet as well, so there is no significant disruption while it runs. This fountain is best for multi-cat households.
Pros
Stainless steel
Easy to assemble
High visibility and low disruption
Cons
Large for single cat households
- furrybaby Cat Drinking Water Fountain – Best Cat Drinking Fountain
Check Latest Price
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: One
Capacity: 2 liters
Although there aren’t as many setting options, the furrybaby Cat Drinking Water Fountain is a decent BPA-free selection. This all-white product is a very sleek, modern-looking fountain that bubbles the water for continual movement and filtering.
Stainless steel
Easy to assemble
High visibility and low disruption
- Stainless steel
- Easy to assemble
- High visibility and low disruption
Large for single cat households
- Large for single cat households
Filter: 3-layer
Settings: One
Capacity: 2 liters
There are no fancy bells or whistles here—as this product chooses function over fancy attachments. In the front, there is a fill gauge with an LED light so you can see when it’s time to add more water. There is a quick-release portion to dismantle the product for easy cleaning.
One really cool feature about this fountain is that it has pump protection. Once the water level goes so low, it enables anti-dry burning protection to prevent the pump from overworking itself. Inside, you can find a three-layer filter to clean the water—it comes with three filters total.
With a two-liter capacity, this design is perfect for one or multiple cats. We liked it because it is simple, easy to clean, and has pump protection.
Pros
Anti-drying pump protection
Sleek design
Simple to use
Cons
Single water flow setting
Anti-drying pump protection
Sleek design
Simple to use
- Anti-drying pump protection
- Sleek design
- Simple to use
Single water flow setting
- Single water flow setting
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Water Fountain
If you are shopping, you want to be able to pick the best cat water fountain to know that your money is well spent. Let’s look at a few different features to take into consideration during purchase.
Proper Hydration
Any vet will tell you that cats don’t drink enough water. Proper hydration is essential to your cat’s wellbeing. Many people choose to add wet food to their diet, for example, to give them a natural dose of moisture.
In the wild, cats gain most of their water content through prey animals they eat. Dry kibble in captivity doesn’t cut the mustard. But it isn’t in your kitty’s impulses to drink more water as a substitute. However, there is something about running water that cats seem to prefer.
Having a fountain encourages your cat to drink more for ample hydration.
Freshness
Because the water is constantly flowing, it doesn’t have a chance to be stagnant. Stagnant water can quickly become stale and undesirable. Fountains provide a freshness your cat can appreciate.
Flushing Toxins and Bacteria
When the water has movement, flowing through a filter, it reduces any toxins or bacteria that can get into your cat’s water without you knowing. When saliva and other particles settle in their bowls, it can cause something called ‘biofilm’, a buildup of bacteria and saliva.
Also, dirty bowls can cause other illnesses to flourish, like salmonella bacteria. That can make your cat very sick.
Reducing Health Risks
If you have continuous water flow, it takes care of any associated health risks. Not only can it reduce the effects of toxins, but it can also keep your cat healthier. The more your cat is adequately dosed on diet and hydration, the better shape their bodies will be in.
If you’re looking for food and water dishes for your favorite furry friend, we highly recommend the Hepper Nom Nom Bowl.
The whisker-friendly dishes and wide catch tray are some of our favorite features, and we just had to share it with you! The bowls are made from stainless steel and are completely dishwasher friendly, making life as a pet parent as easy as possible.
Click here to try it out!
Improves Digestion
Adding more moisture to your cat’s diet will improve gastrointestinal functions. More moisture helps your cat break down their food content, reducing the risk of upset stomach, GI issues, slow digestion, and constipation.
Aspects of Cat Water Fountains
Filters
Certain types of filters help reduce debris, impurities, chemicals, and bacteria. Many models use a combination of different types of filter which is best for your cat.
These include:
Activated Charcoal
Ion Exchange Resin
Cotton
Sponge
Water Flow
Many of the designs have adjustable points and attachments that control the water flow so you can customize it to fit your cat’s needs.
Activated Charcoal
Ion Exchange Resin
Cotton
Sponge
- Activated Charcoal
- Ion Exchange Resin
- Cotton
- Sponge
Bubbling – Bubbling creates a base-level water movement without an actual flow.
Pouring – Some designs have a middle point that allows water to flow down in several directions, creating a fountain-like effect.
Flowing – These fountains create a faucet-like effect, mimicking a sink—which can really be attractive to some cats who hover every time you turn your water on.
Pumps
The electric pump inside your cat’s water fountain is an electrical unit that plugs in to circulate and filter the water.
Bubbling – Bubbling creates a base-level water movement without an actual flow.
Pouring – Some designs have a middle point that allows water to flow down in several directions, creating a fountain-like effect.
Flowing – These fountains create a faucet-like effect, mimicking a sink—which can really be attractive to some cats who hover every time you turn your water on.
With included pumps, you have to be very conscientious of fill lines. If the water is too low, it can cause the pump to work on overdrive, essentially burning up the product—rendering it unusable. Always make sure your cat has the appropriate amount of water to operate the product as it is intended.
Related article:
- 10 Best Ceramic Cat Water Fountains – Reviews & Top Picks
- 10 Best Cat Water Fountains in the UK – Reviews & Top Picks
Conclusion
We still stand by our number one pick, the Hepper’s water fountain. With a duo filtering system your cat will be at its most sprightly as it sips from this spring! We think it’s the most versatile for the average everyday cat owner.
If you are looking for a more affordable selection, don’t forget to check out the NPET WF050 Cat Water Fountain. It is all clear, sleek, and efficient. Do keep in mind that you have to buy an adapter for operation separately.
- 10 Best Cat Water Bowls: Reviews & Top Picks
- 16 Best Cat Affiliate Programs
- 10 Cat Breeds That Love Water (with Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Nana_Hana, Shutterstock
