11 Best Cat Water Fountains in 2025 Reviews & Top Picks
Our cats need to drink enough water every day so they can stay hydrated and feel great. One problem, however, is that cats dont have a high thirst drive, so they often wont drink as much as they should. One thing that can discourage cats from drinking is standing water that might not have been changed in a few days or has picked up some odors from the air.Dehydration can lead to serious health problems for our sweet kitties, so one way of encouraging your cat to drink more is to invest in a cat water fountain. Cats in the wild will always drink from a moving water source, like a stream, over a standing water source, like a puddle. Thats because they know that moving water is likely to be cleaner.So, indulge your cats inner tiger and treat them to a cat water fountain. These provide a bubbling source of water that encourages your cat to drink more. But with so many to choose from, how do you know which one will suit your cat best? Thats why weve written reviews of 11 of the best cat water fountains, so you can take your pick from our recommendations.In this articleQuick ComparisonOur ReviewsBuyers GuideHow We Selected Our Top PicksWhy Trust Catster?Final ThoughtsView 5More +Less -A Quick Glance at Our Favorites of 2025 Image Product Details Best Overall Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain Stainless steel materials Upscale and sleek design Coconut shell activated carbon & ion exchange resin filtering CHECK PRICE Budget Buy Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Cat Fountain Quiet Choose from three sizes Can be used without a filter CHECK PRICE Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain 360-degree access Adjustable flow control Stainless steel resists bacteria CHECK PRICE other PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Pet Fountain Quiet Durable Constant flow of water CHECK PRICE Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain Easy to clean Effective filter Three different settings CHECK PRICE The 11 Best Cat Water Fountains1. Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Fountain Best Overall Check Price on Amazon Check Price on HepperThe Hepper Water Fountain is our pick for the best overall cat water fountain. The flowing stream invites cats to drink by replicating a natural water source. This entices cats to drink more water than they normally would, keeping them hydrated and healthy.Since the water keeps flowing, you dont have to worry about freshness. A sophisticated three-part filtration system uses an ion-exchange resin filter that works to demineralize and soften the water. A coconut-shell-activated carbon filter removes chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants. Finally, the taste is improved and purified before the water pours out of the fountain, giving your cat access to clean, decontaminated water every time.This fountain has the capacity to hold just over 1/2 gallon of water, ensuring that your cat will never be without a fresh drink when they want one. The elegant, stainless-steel design matches any home dcor.To reduce any buildup in the reservoir, this water fountain should be thoroughly cleaned once a week and the filters should be replaced as needed. This will keep the fountain working properly for years to come.All in all, we think this is the best cat water fountain this year.At Catster, weve 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 Great value for money Three different settings Easy to clean Effective filter BPA freeCons Filter needs changing regularly2. Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Cat Fountain Budget Buy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonWe also liked the Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Cat Fountain. If you have multiple cats, this is also available in larger sizes, so you dont need to worry about filling it up so frequently. You can choose from a 50-ounce, 108-ounce, or 216-ounce capacity.The no-splash water slide helps keep the water recirculating and well-oxygenated, encouraging your cat to drink more. The reservoir on this releases more water as necessary, so you never need to worry about your cat running out while youre away. The clear plastic indicator panel makes it easy to see when you need to add water.Pros Choose from three sizes Available in two colors Quiet Can be used without a filterCons Difficult to clean3. Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain is a stainless steel fountain that helps resist bacteria and keep your cats water sparkling fresh. As a bonus, it is also easy to clean because you can simply put it in the top drawer of your dishwater or clean it with hot soapy water.The free-falling stream gives 360-degree access, meaning that if you have multiple cats, they can all use this at the same time. The submersible pump is virtually quiet, with the filter only needing to be replaced every 30 days or so. While this cat fountain might be a little more expensive than some other models, stainless steel is vet-recommended as the safest material for pets to eat and drink out of.Pros Stainless steel resists bacteria Adjustable flow control Dishwasher safe 360-degree accessCons Expensive Difficult to clean4. PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Pet Fountain Best Ceramic Cat Fountain Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonOur favorite ceramic cat fountain is the PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Pet Fountain. This is a 70-ounce drinking space that comes in either white, red, taupe, or Himalayan blue. It has a sleek and modern design that will fit into anyones home decor, as well.This option gives your pet continues filtered water with the low-volt submersible pump. With constant cycling, it not only makes the water more attractive to your pet, but it also keeps bacteria from building up in the bowl. Not only that, but this fountain has two filters. One foam filter on the pump keeps hair and debris from clogging the mechanics, and one carbon and coconut shell filter keeps the water pure.The PetSafe is extremely quiet and non-disruptive. It has an upper and lower bowl, and its great for small and medium-sized pets. This option is also easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Finally, the ceramic cat water fountain construction is durable, steady, and wont tip or spill.Pros Two filters Consistent water circulation Quiet Dishwasher safe Low-volt motor Two bowl levelsCons None we can find5. Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe incredibly popular Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain is another top choice. This 100-ounce-capacity water fountain uses an exclusive design with three different water settings. You can choose from a calm stream, bubbling top, or gentle flow and see which one your cat likes best. The water is immediately re-filtered as it flows away from the top, so you dont need to worry about any dirt settling in the water.The filter removes magnesium and calcium, both of which can build up in your cats urinary tract and cause infections. It also effectively removes odors, which we all know can put fussy cats off from drinking their water. Using this water fountain is a great way to encourage your cat to drink more.Pros Great value for money Three different settings Easy to clean Effective filter BPA freeCons Filter needs changing regularly6. Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Cat Fountain Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe Pioneer Pet Stainless Steel Cat Fountain helps increase your cats water intake while also looking sleek and stylish. Depending on how many cats you have or if you also have dogs and want them to use this fountain too, you can choose from two sizes, 60 ounces or 96 ounces.This water fountain is dishwasher safe and uses a replaceable charcoal filter to remove impurities in your cats water. The stream in this fountain falls into a pool of water, and depending on how messy your cats are, you might find that this collects debris and dust.Pros Available in two sizes Modern design Replaceable charcoal filter Dishwasher safeCons Water in the bowl can get dirty Noisy7. Cat Mate Plastic Cat Fountain Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe Cat Mate Plastic Cat Fountain has a unique design that provides multiple levels for your cat to drink from. The ramps between levels help reduce the possibility of water splashing out and onto your floors. The isolated pump system means this operates incredibly quietly, so you dont need to worry about irritating background noise.Pros Vet-recommended Dishwasher safe Multi-height drinking Quiet operationCons Plastic can be scratched Difficult to clean all parts Does seem to encourage slime to form8. Drinkwell Platinum Plastic Cat Fountain Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonIf you have multiple cats and possibly dogs as well, you might prefer a water fountain with a larger capacity, and in that case, the Drinkwell Platinum Plastic Cat Fountain fits the bill. This large water fountain has a 168-ounce capacity, which means youll need to fill it up less often. The clear reservoir on the back of the fountain lets you easily see how much water is left.The free-falling stream encourages your cat to drink, but it can also splash water over the side. This is made from BPA-free plastic, but as with any plastic water fountain, if it ends up getting scratched, then bacteria and slime can quickly form on these surfaces.Pros 168-ounce capacity Continuous circulation BPA-free plastic Perfect for multi-cat householdsCons Expensive Difficult to clean Plastic can collect slime9. Catit Design Senses Plastic Drinking Fountain Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonIf youre looking for a pet fountain with a minimalistic design, then Catit Design Senses Plastic Drinking Fountain might appeal. The large water-to-air surface platform helps increase oxygenation of the water, helping it taste better and fresher for your cat.Pros Low energy usage Advanced filtration system 100-ounce capacity Dishwasher safeCons Only one flow setting Pump can burn out Plastic can encourage slime10. Pioneer Pet Swan Cat Drinking Fountain View Latest PriceThe Pioneer Pet Swan Cat Drinking Fountain has a stylish design that wont look out of place in even the most modern of homes. This is made from premium plastic, but bear in mind that even this can get scratched, and bacteria can collect in the small grooves. This is also slightly harder to clean than some other cat fountains. It is dishwasher safe, but you might still need to scrub off more stubborn stains.The continuous flow will encourage your cat to drink more water, but the top-heavy design of this fountain means it can get tipped over if you forget to keep the water level topped up.Pros 80-ounce capacity USB and wall plug connections Includes charcoal filterCons Plastic can scratch Can get tipped over Difficult to clean11. Pet Fit for Life Plastic Cat Water Fountain View Latest PriceThe Pet Fit for Life Plastic Cat Water Fountain comes complete with a non-skid rubber mat to help keep drips of water from landing on your floor, as well as a feather cat toy for your kitty to play with after theyve had a refreshing drink. The low-power submersible pump is extremely quiet, so this wont create irritating background noise.The raised drinking platform allows your cat to drink from a comfortable height, which is great for larger breed cats that otherwise have to lean down to the floor.Pros Raised drinking platform Quiet operation Four different flow settingsCons Plastic can get scratched Not dishwasher safe Flimsy design Top flower attachment comes off easilyBuyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Water FountainIf youre wondering what sort of cat water fountain is going to suit your fussy feline the best, then our buyers guide is here to help! Well tell you everything you need to know about these handy little appliances.Why should you buy a cat water fountain?Cats are fussy creatures and will often prefer to go without water than drink stale, dirty, or stagnant water. This, combined with the fact that they have a low thirst drive, means that theyre at higher risk of becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can cause health problems for cats, including urinary tract disease and kidney failure.Cats should always have access to fresh water, but they can be picky when it comes to what sort of water they drink! So, one of the best ways to encourage your cat to drink more is to buy them a cat water fountain.How much water should my cat drink?On average, a cat should drink roughly 3.5-4.5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of their body weight every day. This will vary depending on if your cat eats wet or dry food, as wet food provides a higher percentage of moisture, so your cat may need to drink less as a result.Dry cat food only contains 8-12% water, while wet food can contain as much as 80% water.Image Credit: Vershinin89, ShutterstockHow do I know if my cat is drinking enough?Check that youre refilling their water bowls regularly, and if it seems that your cat isnt drinking, you can look for the symptoms of dehydration, which include: Lethargy Loss of appetite Decreased skin elasticity Sunken eyes Increased heart rate Panting Dry mouth DepressionIf you think that your cat may be dehydrated, you should take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible.Important features of a cat water fountainWhen youre looking for a new cat water fountain, there are a few important features to bear in mind. If you have multiple cats, its best to look for a water fountain with a larger capacity. The same is true if you also share your home with dogs, as theyll drink more water. If you have just one cat, you may prefer a smaller water fountain. Pump noise. Most water fountains have pumps. These will all make noise, but some will be more distracting than others. If youre sensitive to noise, then look for a pump thats as quiet as possible. Cost of replacement filters. A water fountain might be cheap to buy, but if you end up having to buy expensive filters every month, then the cost of those will soon start to add up. Most water fountains that use filters need the filter replaced every 30 days or so. Some can be used without filters, so you could add in pre-filtered water. If youd prefer to do that, make sure you check the manufacturers recommendations first. Cat water fountains typically come in plastic, stainless steel, or ceramic. Make sure a plastic fountain is BPA-free, but bear in mind that plastic can harbor bacteria if it gets scratched. Stainless steel is one of the vet-preferred options, as it resists bacteria and is easy to clean. It can be more expensive, though. Some of the best ceramic cat water fountains can look aesthetically pleasing but will break if dropped or handled roughly. Drinking platform height. Some water fountains have a higher drinking platform, which can suit larger cat breeds like Maine Coons. As with any electrical item, sometimes cat water fountains can simply stop working. Make sure to read reports from previous buyers, and make note of any that state that the fountain may have broken down sooner than expected. Easy to clean. Many cat water fountains can be placed in the dishwasher on the top shelf. Others need to be hand-washed, and it can be fiddly to try and scrub out certain sections of the water fountain if it has small outlets. Color and design. If youve got a certain colored dcor in your house, you might prefer to find a cat water fountain that matches existing colors. Some water fountains are available in neutral colors, and others may be brighter plastic. There are plenty of different options to choose from, so youre bound to find one that wont look out of place in your home.How do I introduce my cat to a water fountain?Bear in mind that your cat might not want to drink from a new water fountain right away. When your new fountain arrives, set it up somewhere that your cat spends a fair amount of time, and allow them to approach it in their own time. Make sure to place it away from their food, as cats prefer their food and water to be separated.For the first few days, place water in the fountain, but dont turn it on. Allow your cat to investigate the fountain before turning it on for an hour or so at a time. Some cats will start using and drinking from the fountain right away, while timid cats may need more time to get used to the idea.If you have multiple cats and they all enjoy using the water fountain but wont drink out of it at the same time, then you might want to get another one and spread them around the house. For all resources that cats might compete for, like food, water, litter trays, and beds, the general recommendation is to have one more of each resource than the number of cats.Why dont cats like drinking standing water?One reason that cats dont like to drink standing water is that their genetic makeup has taught them that standing water might be contaminated with bacteria or other nasties. Running water is generally safer, and in the wild, its also easier to hear the sound of a stream. Oxygenated, moving water also tends to taste better.Another reason is that leaning down to drink from a low saucer puts cats in a vulnerable position, potentially opening themselves up to attack. Now, most domestic kitties dont need to worry about a predator or competitor attacking them from behind, but this is another evolutionary throwback. Combine that with the fact that we often place their water bowls facing a wall, meaning that your cat has to turn their back to the area that they would rather be watching. Some cats would rather go thirsty than feel vulnerable like this.Our Best Cat Water Fountains Selection ProcessCatsters dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best Water Fountain for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cats needs.Why Trust Catster?Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about Cat Water Fountains. Were a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary teams experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.ConclusionAs the best cat water fountain overall, we selected the Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain. This cat fountain has a sleek design and with its filter system youll know your cat is getting the very best water, plus it is easy to clean and doesnt take up much space.We also liked the Petmate Deluxe Fresh Flow Cat Fountain. This easy-to-clean fountain comes in a range of sizes, making it perfect if youve got multiple cats. The reservoir indicator panel on the side makes it easy to see when it needs topping up.We hope that our reviews have helped you narrow down which one of the huge variety of cat water fountains on the market is going to suit your cat the best. With so many different features and materials to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. But we know that any of our top 10 recommendations will be a great choice!Featured Image Credit: Patcharida, Shutterstock
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