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9 Best Cat Water Fountains in 2024 – Reviews & Guide

Brooke Billingsley

By Brooke Billingsley

Hepper Fountain - White Himalayan Persian cat drinking

Cats are notorious for not drinking enough, which, over time, can be detrimental to their health by leading to dehydration and kidney damage. The good news is that there are a few tricks that can get your cat to drink more water, and one of the most successful tricks seems to be providing a source of running water. But unless you want your water bill to skyrocket, you can’t just leave water running all the time, which is where a fountain comes in. There are tons of pet fountains on the market, which can be overwhelming. Oftentimes, these fountains are an investment, so choosing a high-quality product that won’t break in two months is important. We’ve put together reviews of the best cat water fountains to help make it less overwhelming to choose the perfect fountain to encourage your cat to drink enough water. hepper cat paw divider

A Quick Comparison of Our Top Picks in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
  • Upscale and sleek design
  • Coconut shell activated carbon, and ion exchange resin filtering
  • 2 Litre capacity
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    PetNF Transparent Cat Water Drinking Fountain PetNF Transparent Cat Water Drinking Fountain
  • Quadruple filtration
  • Emergency backup water holder
  • Adjustable water flow
  • Third place
    Drinkwell Seascape Ceramic Dog & Cat Fountain Drinkwell Seascape Ceramic Dog & Cat Fountain
  • Water is always moving
  • Filters the water and reduces odors
  • Sturdy ceramic
  • Torus Filtered Dog & Cat Water Bowl Torus Filtered Dog & Cat Water Bowl
  • Filters the water
  • No power source required
  • Four color options
  • Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain
  • Holds 100 ounces of water
  • Adjustable flow
  • Triple-action filter
  • The 9 Best Cat Water Fountains

    1. Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain – Best Overall

    Hepper Cat Water Fountain

    Volume 68 ounces
    Color Stainless steel
    Adjustable Flow No
    Price $

    The Hepper Water Fountain is considered the best overall pet drinking fountain, encouraging cats to increase their water intake. This stainless-steel fountain is easy to clean since it comes apart for a thorough scrubbing. It’s scratch-resistant and not as prone to bacteria growth as plastic fountains. It uses a coconut shell, activated carbon, and ion exchange filter for maximum water filtration. It filters out chlorine, heavy metals, hair, and other residue, improving the taste of the water to further encourage your cat to drink more. The fountain comes with the first filter you’ll need.

    This fountain has a unique design that looks similar to a human water fountain, making it ideal for cats that like to drink from sinks and other running water systems. The unique appearance also fits right in with any home’s design scheme, from modern to vintage.
    Since it does require unique filters, they may be difficult to find except through Hepper and Hepper’s Amazon store.

    Pros
    • Stainless steel
    • Special filtration system
    • Encourages increased water intake
    • Great for cats that like to drink running water
    • Attractive appearance
    Cons
    • Requires unique filters

    2. PetNF Transparent Cat Water Drinking Fountain – Best Value

    PetNF Cat Water Fountain

    Volume 101 ounces
    Color Clear
    Adjustable Flow Yes
    Price $

    If you are looking for an affordable water fountain that makes a great introductory product, we highly recommend the PetNF Transparent Cat Water Drinking Fountain. It is a totally suitable fountain to try out for your cat and it won’t break the bank.

    We love that this particular design is see-through, so you can make sure the water is fresh and full. You can monitor levels and refill as needed without being unsure of the amount. It also features a capacity of 101 ounces, which we find impressive, and it’s great for multi-cat households!

    This fountain is made of high-quality materials that are non-toxic and BPA free! It also features quadruple filtration for sterilization and optimal freshness. It can remove all sorts of unwanted intruders—like fur, debris, and other impurities.

    The waterflow is adjustable, so you control how fast it filters through. Plus, it has an extra 10-ounce capacity for an emergency backup.

    Pros
    • Quadruple filtration
    • Emergency backup water holder
    • Adjustable water flow
    • Non-toxic
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • May not be as durable as stainless steel options

    3. Drinkwell Seascape Cat Fountain

    Drinkwell Seascape Cat Fountain

    Volume 70 ounces
    Color Dark grey and white
    Adjustable Flow No
    Price $$$

    The Drinkwell Seascape Ceramic Dog & Cat Fountain is an attractive piece of home décor on top of being a functional fountain for your cat. This fountain has a modern design, and the submersible pump keeps the water constantly flowing. Constant water circulation helps prevent bacterial growth and the included carbon filter reduces smells and contaminants. It has a whisper quiet operation and is made of sturdy ceramic, making it heavy enough to avoid being tipped over by pets. This product comes at a premium price and due to the open nature of the design, the pump needs frequent cleaning.

    Pros
    • Attractive addition to modern homes
    • Water is always moving, keeping it fresh
    • Constant water circulation decreases bacterial growth
    • Filters the water and reduces odors
    • Whisper quiet operation
    • Sturdy ceramic
    Cons
    • Premium price
    • Pump requires at least weekly cleaning

    4. Torus Filtered Cat Water Bowl Fountain

    Torus Filtered Cat Water Bowl Fountain

    Volume 68 ounces
    Color Charcoal, blue, red, pink
    Adjustable Flow No
    Price $$
    Choosing a water fountain for a kitten can be tough, which is why the Torus Filtered Dog & Cat Water Bowl is the best pick. This isn’t actually a fountain, but it’s a water bowl that automatically refills itself when the water level gets low, and it filters the water as it passes from the reservoir into the bowl. This can allow your kitten to get used to drinking water that moves and shifts, without the potential fear of a running pump. This product doesn’t require a power source and is low enough to the ground to make it easy for your kitten to access it without risking falling into deep water. It’s available in four colors and features a unique, modern design.
    Pros
    • Filters the water and reduces odors
    • Helps kittens get used to moving water
    • No power source required
    • Low to the ground for easy access
    • Four color options
    • Unique, modern design
    Cons
    • Not a true fountain
    • Only holds 68 ounces of water

    5. Catit Flower Plastic Cat Water Fountain

    Catit Flower Plastic Cat Water Fountain

    Volume 100 ounces
    Color White and green
    Adjustable Flow Yes
    Price $
    The Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain is another great cat water fountain you can get. This cute fountain is round and features a flower waterspout in the middle. The flow can be adjusted to three different settings based on your pet’s preference. It has a triple-action filter that removes contaminants and debris, as well as decreases unpleasant odors. It’s easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning and is made from BPA-free materials. If allowed to run low on water, the motor may burn out, so it’s important to always keep water in the basin. The filter should be replaced every 3 – 4 weeks or more frequently.
    Pros
    • Holds 100 ounces of water
    • Cute design
    • Adjustable flow
    • Triple-action filter
    • Easy to assemble and disassemble
    • Easy to clean
    • BPA-free materials
    Cons
    • Motor may burn out if water runs too low
    • Filter requires frequent replacement

    6. Drinkwell Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain

    Drinkwell Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain

    Volume 128 ounces
    Color Silver
    Adjustable Flow Yes
    Price $$$
    The Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain is a great option if you have multiple pets sharing a fountain since it holds up to 128 ounces of water. Made from sturdy stainless steel, this 360˚ fountain has an adjustable flow and two types of filtration, keeping water fresh. It has a free-falling design, making it a good pick for your cat that likes to drink from faucets. All parts are dishwasher safe except for the pump itself and the included rubber feet keep the fountain from sliding, even on wet floors. This is not the quietest option on the market, which can be a deterrent to some cats. Assembling and disassembling this product is a multi-step process and should be done frequently to keep the pump working.
    Pros
    • Holds 128 ounces of water
    • Sturdy stainless steel
    • 360˚ design allows multiple pets to drink at the same time
    • Free-falling design with adjustable flow
    • Dishwasher safe
    • Rubber feet keep it from slipping
    Cons
    • Noisier than many other options
    • Assembly and disassembly are multi-step processes
    • Premium price

    7. Pioneer Pet Swan Cat Drinking Fountain

    Pioneer Pet Swan Cat Drinking Fountain

    Volume 80 ounces
    Color White
    Adjustable Flow No
    Price $
    The Pioneer Pet Swan Cat Drinking Fountain is a faucet-shaped drinking fountain that fits into modern home décor. It’s budget-friendly and uses an activated carbon filter to keep the water fresh and clean. It has a ceramic appearance but is actually made from sturdy, BPA-free plastic. All parts except the pump are dishwasher safe, making for easy cleaning. It includes a USB plug as well as a standard wall plug-in, so you can plug it in however you need to. It’s noisier than other options and requires frequent cleaning to keep the pump functioning properly. The faucet part of this filter may clog without frequent cleaning as well.
    Pros
    • Looks like modern home décor
    • Budget-friendly
    • Filters the water and reduces odors
    • Sturdy, BPA-free plastic
    • Dishwasher safe
    • Two plug-in options
    Cons
    • Noisier than many other options
    • Pump requires at least weekly cleaning
    • “Faucet” requires frequent cleaning

    8. Cat Mate Plastic Cat Water Fountain

    Cat Mate Plastic Cat Water Fountain

    Volume 6 ounces
    Color White
    Adjustable Flow Yes
    Price $
    The Cat Mate Plastic Dog & Cat Filter is another budget-friendly option, and it allows for drinking at various heights depending on your cat’s size and preference. It’s dishwasher safe and has a polymer-carbon filter cartridge to keep the water fresh and clean. It has a quiet operation and a 10-foot power cord, making setup anywhere a breeze. The water flow is adjustable to your cat’s preference. The motor requires frequent cleaning to keep it operating properly, and it is lightweight enough for cats to drag or tip over.
    Pros
    • Budget-friendly
    • Allows for drinking at three heights
    • Dishwasher safe
    • Filters the water and reduces odors
    • Quiet operation
    • 10-foot power cord
    Cons
    • Only holds 67.6 ounces of water
    • Pump requires at least weekly cleaning
    • Lightweight enough to be tipped or dragged

    9. Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Cat Fountain

    Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Cat Fountain

    Volume 70 ounces
    Color White, red, taupe, blue
    Adjustable Flow No
    Price $$$
    The Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Dog & Cat Fountain is a premium-priced fountain that has two levels of water access, making it a good option for kittens and older, arthritic kitties alike. It fits seamlessly into home décor and uses a carbon and coconut shell filter to keep the water fresh and clean. It’s available in four colors to match your home, and it’s made from sturdy ceramic, making it heavy enough to avoid tipping. This pump has a noisier operation than other Drinkwell fountains, like the Seascape. It can also be more difficult to clean due to the number of 90˚ corners in this product.
    Pros
    • Two levels of water access
    • Blends into home décor
    • Filters the water and reduces odors
    • Four color options
    • Sturdy ceramic
    Cons
    • Premium price
    • Noisier operation than similar models
    • Harder to clean than some options

    hepper single cat paw divider

    Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Water Fountain

    Choosing the Right Fountain for Your Cat

    Cats can be very particular when it comes to what they’ll drink from, so it may take a few tries and some patience to find the perfect fountain for your cat. To start, choose a fountain that will meet the needs of the number of cats and other pets that will be sharing the fountain. Always make sure all of your pets have access to clean water and don’t rely on a single water source for multiple pets.

    Consider the age and size of your cat when selecting a fountain as well. Kittens may have difficulty drinking from the height of most fountains, so a lower fountain or bowl is necessary. Kittens, especially very young kittens, are at a higher risk than adult cats of drowning in a water bowl, so they need a shallower bowl than what some fountains provide. The same considerations should be taken for cats with mobility difficulties.

    Where are you planning to put your cat’s bowl? You’ll need to make sure it’s near enough to an outlet that the cord will reach. However, different pumps have different electrical cord lengths. Whether you need 10 feet of cord or 2 feet of cord, you’ll need to take this into consideration before purchasing a pump.

    cat drinking from water fountain
    Image Credit: Creative Cat Studio, Shutterstock

    hepper cat paw divider

    Conclusion

    If you need a fountain for your kitten, it may be best to choose a bowl that is suitable for all stages of your feline’s life. The Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain does just that and is sleek, modern, and functional. For tight budgets, check out the Frisco Square Dog & Cat Fountain, which is extremely affordable. No matter what you need for your cat, these reviews can serve as guidance to select a product or find a starting point in finding the perfect water fountain for your cat.

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