Do you have a cat that loves to play in running water?
Even though cats are often said to “hate” the H2O, some felines will take every opportunity to puddle or drink from a running faucet.
If you have one of these such cats, we’ve found the best cat water fountain (and some that come a close second).
Plus, we’re going to give you some fascinating facts and benefits this type of “watering-hole” provides.
Why Do Cats Prefer Running Water?
There is really no solid answer for why cats prefer running water.
However, some researchers theorize that this may date back to their instinctive roots.
Cats in the wild will look for running water as they know water left in a pool is more likely to be stagnant.
Cats also have better peripheral vision than direct-on.
For this reason, your cat may have a hard time judging the depth of the water in a bowl; running water is easier to gauge when it’s being circulated.
There’s also the simple reason; water tastes better if it’s been circulating as there’s more oxygen in it.
Have you ever drank a glass of water that has sat for a while? Exactly! It’s stale and gross!
Benefits of a Cat Water Fountain
There are many benefits to having a cat water fountain. These include;
- Encouraging your cat to drink more. Cats need 70% to 80% moisture in their diets. Dry kibble only provides about 10% so cats need to be encouraged to drink more water on a dry-only diet.
- The possible prevention of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Cats that lack enough water in their diets often times develop FLUTD. This can be painful and even fatal if left untreated.
- Water is being filtered and therefore is cleaner and tastes better.
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- Models that have a bigger water reservoir, which means less filling for you.
- Adding moisture to a dry household
The 5 Best Cat Water Fountain
Now that we know the facts, let’s check out the best cat water fountain and the runner-ups.
Catit Fresh & Clear Water Fountain
For those of you that have a cat that may not like the running water, the Catit company has designed a water fountain just for you.
This unit uses a stainless steel bowl where the water just bubbles and recirculates around the top.
The water is being aerated, filtered and cooled at the same time.
It holds 64 oz of water and is suitable for cats and small dogs.
But it doesn’t have a clear base so you may not know when it’s time to refill.
Check it out on Amazon!
Durability: 78% Convenience: 74% Price: 79% Overall: 77%
Premium Automatic Pet Water Fountain
This premium water fountain holds 58 oz of water which produces a steady stream back into the ample-size bowl.
This model also includes a blue LED night light so your pet can easily find it in the dark.
It’s also easy-to-clean, has a safe, quiet motor and even has an automatic shut-off if the water level gets too low.
However, it is made of plastic, so you may need to clean it more often.
Check it out on Amazon!
Durability: 79% Convenience: 83% Price: 86% Overall: 83%
Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Drinking Fountain
Vets recommend having ceramic or stainless steel bowls for our pets, so the Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Drinking Fountain has done just that.
This model holds 60 oz of water which recirculates on a continuous basis throughout the ceramic fountain bowl.
The sleek black design will look great in any decor and it’s even dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and ultra-quiet.
Check it out on Amazon!
This product also comes in a stainless steel model with all the same benefits.
Check it out on Amazon!
Durability: 81% Convenience: 85% Price: 89% Overall: 85%
Drinkwell 360 Fountain for Pets
Although this unit is made from BPA-Free plastic, it does have other good features that put it on our top list.
This unit has a 360-degree drinking “surface” (great for multiple cats) and holds 120 oz of water.
It comes with 1 to 5 different drinking streams for a variety of flows and an adjustable flow cap to change up the speed in which the waterfalls.
The Drinkwell 360 is good for both cats and dogs and comes with a carbon filter.
Check it out on Amazon!
This unit also comes in stainless steel model with all the same benefits.
Check it out on Amazon!
Durability: 87% Convenience: 89% Price: 90% Overall: 89%
PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Avalon Fountain
This model takes our number one spot as the best cat water fountain as it provides both an upper and lower drinking area and two streams of fountain flow.
The sleek round porcelain style is easy-to-clean and provides a sanitary drinking pool.
It comes with a filter to remove bad tastes and a foam filter to remove dust and debris to keep kitty’s water clean and fresh all day long.
The modern design will fit into any decor and it comes in two colors; white and red.
This cat water fountain also has a 360-degree drinking surface which is perfect for multi-pet families and a 70 oz water capacity.
Check it out on Amazon!
The PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Water Fountain also comes in a Pagoda-style with all the same benefits of the Avalon, but it is square and comes in four different colors; blue, red, gray and white.
Check it out on Amazon!
Durability: 95% Convenience: 97% Price: 91% Overall: 94%
The Best Cat Water Fountain? You Decide
These best cat water fountains made the top of our list, but the best one is still what works for you and your feline friend.
Do your research, try them out, then decide which model is the perfect choice for your home and cat.
