9 Best Cat Water Fountains in 2023 – Reviews & Guide
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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.
A Quick Comparison of Our Top Picks in 2023
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall |
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Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain |
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Check Price |
Best Value |
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Frisco Square Dog & Cat Fountain |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice |
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Drinkwell Seascape Ceramic Dog & Cat Fountain |
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Check Price |
Best for Kittens |
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Torus Filtered Dog & Cat Water Bowl |
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Check Price |
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Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain |
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Check Price |
The 9 Best Cat Water Fountains
1. Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain – Best Overall
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.
- Stainless steel
- Special filtration system
- Encourages increased water intake
- Great for cats that like to drink running water
- Attractive appearance
- Requires unique filters
You might have guessed, this is our own product – but we love it so much we just have to share it, and hope you get to own one too!
2. Frisco Square Cat Water Fountain – Best Value
Volume | 94 ounces |
Color | Grey |
Adjustable Flow | No |
Price | $ |
- Holds 94 ounces of water
- Best value
- Neutral color and sleek design blends in with home décor
- Filters the water and reduces odors
- Keeps water moving
- Shallow drinking portion
- Replacement pumps available through the manufacturer
- Motor may burn out if water runs too low
- Filter requires frequent replacement
- Pump requires weekly cleaning
3. Drinkwell Seascape Cat Fountain – Premium Choice
Volume | 70 ounces |
Color | Dark grey and white |
Adjustable Flow | No |
Price | $$$ |
All in all, when it comes to premium picks, we think this is the best cat water fountain out there.
- Attractive addition to modern homes
- Water is always moving, keeping it fresh
- Constant water circulation decreases bacterial growth
- Filters the water and reduces odors
- Whisper quiet operation
- Sturdy ceramic
- Premium price
- Pump requires at least weekly cleaning
4. Torus Filtered Cat Water Bowl Fountain – Best for Kittens
Volume | 68 ounces |
Color | Charcoal, blue, red, pink |
Adjustable Flow | No |
Price | $$ |
- 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
- Not a true fountain
- Only holds 68 ounces of water
5. Catit Flower Plastic Cat Water Fountain
Volume | 100 ounces |
Color | White and green |
Adjustable Flow | Yes |
Price | $ |
- Holds 100 ounces of water
- Cute design
- Adjustable flow
- Triple-action filter
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free materials
- Motor may burn out if water runs too low
- Filter requires frequent replacement
6. Drinkwell Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain
Volume | 128 ounces |
Color | Silver |
Adjustable Flow | Yes |
Price | $$$ |
- Holds 128 ounces of water
- Sturdy stainless steel
- 360˚ design allows multiple pets to drink at the same time
- Free-falling design with adjustable flow
- Dishwasher safe
- Rubber feet keep it from slipping
- Noisier than many other options
- Assembly and disassembly are multi-step processes
- Premium price
7. Pioneer Pet Swan Cat Drinking Fountain
Volume | 80 ounces |
Color | White |
Adjustable Flow | No |
Price | $ |
- Looks like modern home décor
- Budget-friendly
- Filters the water and reduces odors
- Sturdy, BPA-free plastic
- Dishwasher safe
- Two plug-in options
- Noisier than many other options
- Pump requires at least weekly cleaning
- “Faucet” requires frequent cleaning
8. Cat Mate Plastic Cat Water Fountain
Volume | 6 ounces |
Color | White |
Adjustable Flow | Yes |
Price | $ |
- Budget-friendly
- Allows for drinking at three heights
- Dishwasher safe
- Filters the water and reduces odors
- Quiet operation
- 10-foot power cord
- Only holds 67.6 ounces of water
- Pump requires at least weekly cleaning
- Lightweight enough to be tipped or dragged
9. Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Cat Fountain
Volume | 70 ounces |
Color | White, red, taupe, blue |
Adjustable Flow | No |
Price | $$$ |
- Two levels of water access
- Blends into home décor
- Filters the water and reduces odors
- Four color options
- Sturdy ceramic
- Premium price
- Noisier operation than similar models
- Harder to clean than some options
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.
Conclusion
If you need a fountain for your kitten, it may be best to start with an auto-refilling bowl, like the Torus Filtered Dog & Cat Water Bowl, which is low to the ground and requires no power source. The best overall fountain for cats is the Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain, which is modern and functional, and for tight budgets, check out the Frisco Square Dog & Cat Fountain, which is affordable on almost any budget. 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.
SEE ALSO: Our Favorite Ceramic Cat Water Fountains