Best Cat Water Fountain
If you’ve never considered buying one for your cat, you might have a lot of questions on your mind. Of course, you’d want only the best for your pet kitty but you also want convenience and ease of use.
In this guide, we will help you understand everything there is to know about cat water fountains, as well as the top 5 picks we chose for the best ones found in the market.
Let’s get started with an introduction to cat water fountains.
Here is a list of Top 5 Cat Water Fountains
What is a Cat Water Fountain?
A cat water fountain is any water fountain intended for cats to drink from. It features a water filtration system that cleans the water from bacteria and pollutants, making sure the water is clean for your cat to drink.
They can come in an electrical or battery-operated feature. They also come in all shapes and sizes, which means it can be hard to choose one for your pet cat. It will take a while for you and your cat to get used to it, so there’s a little bit of trial and error to see if your pet will have a liking to it.
But thankfully, product reviews and guides like this will help you narrow down your choices so you won’t have to do the trial and error yourself.
Why Your Cat Needs a Water Fountain
While a good old water bowl is enough for your cat, the truth is, cats don’t really have the natural instinct to drink water. This means they are prone to dehydration, which can cause a myriad of different health problems from digestive issues, to hairballs, to kidney problems.
In the wild, cats get most of their hydration from the meat of their prey. Indoor cats, however, do not hunt for prey, and are given commercial cat food most of the time. This means that they would need to drink water frequently to stay hydrated.
Here are a few reasons why a cat water fountain can solve this problem:
1. Cats are Attracted to Running Water
Cats don’t like to drink from stagnant water because, in the wild, stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Whereas running water is likened to a flowing stream or river, which harbors fresh and clean water.
A cat may be domesticated but its wild instincts are still intact, which means they do still have their natural tendencies to choose objects or behave inhabits that manifest their natural instincts.
Additionally, cats have a keen sense of hearing. While a water bowl just sits there, a cat fountain creates the sound of running water, which will pique your cat’s interest, helping them drink more.
2.Cats Need to Be Hydrated
As mentioned, cats don’t have the natural instinct to drink. This means that you have to have a conscious effort to make your cat drink water as often as she should. A cat fountain can help improve your cat’s hydration level and prevent certain health issues from occurring.
3.Prevents Whisker Fatigue
Did you know that cats hate it when their whiskers are wet? Yes, there is such a thing as whisker stress or fatigue. A cat’s whiskers are extremely sensitive and provide them information about their environment. When you give them a deep bowl of water to drink, their whiskers get wet and it can cause them stress.
Cat fountains, on the other hand, are specially designed to prevent whisker fatigue by making sure their whiskers are untouched as they drink.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Cat Water Fountain
Before we go ahead and present to you our 5 best picks for cat water fountains, let’s first discuss the factors that you need to consider before you buy a cat water fountain.
1. Ease of Use
Most cat fountains come disassembled. This means that you would have to assemble it yourself when it arrives at home. This is specific for those who shop online.
If you don’t have the time to assemble an elaborate water fountain, then a water fountain that’s already assembled is the best choice for you. Or, you can opt for products that don’t require complex assembly requirements, such as those that don’t require screws and complicated steps.
2. Easy to Clean
You would want to buy a cat water fountain that’s convenient to use, and it should be easy to clean. Fountains that are dishwasher-safe are the best option but if you can do some hand cleaning, then those are great as well.
3. Water Filtering Capacity
Cat water fountains must have a proper filtering system. This is because most of these fountains have large water capacity, such as 1 to 2 liters, which you won’t need to refill because the filtration system will clean it of bacteria and pollutants. You can put water one time and not have to refill it for at least a week or two, depending on whether you have one cat or multiple cats at home.
4. Material
While plastic fountains are affordable, they also don’t last long. Porcelain or ceramic fountains are great and last longer but they’re also on the expensive side. Metal fountains are also a great option and last the longest but you need to make sure it is stainless steel so they don’t rust.
The Top 5 Cat Fountains in the Market [Review]
So without further adieu, here are 5 of our top cat water fountain picks:
1. Veken Pet Fountain
Despite having a large water tank, it’s super lightweight and ultra quiet. The low consumption pump is strong yet quiet, which means you won’t even notice it’s there.
There are three flow designs in this fountain, which are: flower waterfall, flower bubble, and gentle fountain. You can adjust the flow to pique your cat’s interest.
The fountain also comes with a durable silicon mat so the area around the fountain stays clean and hygienic. This is especially useful for high pet traffic, allowing the area to stay dry and clean.
What we liked
- Made of BPA-free PP resin for safety and affordability
- Features a large water capacity with 2.5L
- Ideal for multiple cats
What we didn't like
- PP resin is not the most durable of all cat water fountain materials and may not last as long as other fountains made of porcelain or metal
2. Wonder Creature Cat Water Fountain
This is the most technologically advanced of all water fountains on our list due to its range of features. The LED light indicator will show a red light when it’s time for you to refill the water. When the red LED light appears, the pump will also automatically shut off to prevent the pump from running dry.
The fountain’s material is stainless steel, which is the most durable material for cat water fountains available in the market. It’s hygienic and dishwasher-safe, unbreakable, durable, and easy to clean.
And lastly, the circulating filtration system ensures your cat will always have clean, running water to drink. The filter purifies the water, removes dirt, hair, and food particles. And with a 360-degree multidirectional stream, every cat in the household will have its own spot on the fountain to drink its water from.
What we liked
- technologically-advanced with the LED light features
- Large water capacity for multi-cat homes
- 360-degree multidirectional streams so several cats can drink simultaneously
- Made of stainless steel that is rust-free and durable
What we didn't like
- May be too big for only one cat
3. NPET WF050 Cat Water Fountain
Its design mimics a kitchen sink with the faucet feature. Most cats love drinking from the kitchen sink faucet so this is a great design that will encourage your cats to drink and stay hydrated.
The transparent plastic material also allows pet owners to see the water directly, telling them whether or not it’s time to refill or change the water if it’s dirty.
The fountain features a 3-layer filter: the sponge catches cat hair and debris, while the ion exchange resin layer softens the tap water. And lastly, the activated carbon layer removes bad taste and odor from tap water.
What we liked
- The design is unique in the sense that it mimics a kitchen sink faucet, which cats love drinking from.
- You can see the water through the transparent plastic material, allowing you to know right away whether it’s time to change the water or not.
- It’s a simple, no-fuss cat water fountain.
- Features replaceable filters.
What we didn't like
- The material is made of plastic, which means it’s not as durable as other fountains made of a stronger material.
4. PetSafe Drinkwell Mini Pet Fountain
The flowing waterfalls at the bottom of the fountain, making it easy for your cat to drink rather than having to raise his head or paws. This feature is unlike other fountains where they have to reach out the top to get water.
It features an activated carbon filter system, which removes bacteria but also bad odor and taste from tap water.
Your cat may also not like it when the water flow is too slow or too fast. Luckily, this fountain’s flow of water is adjustable.
All parts are easily disassembled and dishwasher safe, except for the pump.
What we liked
- Water flows to the bottom, making it easier for your cat to drink and stay hydrated.
- Comes in plastic material for affordability and easy portability.
- Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
What we didn't like
- Only ideal for one cat households.
- Material is made of plastic so it’s not as durable as other fountains such as those that are made of metal or porcelain.
5. Orsda Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel
Its features include a high-grade and dishwasher-safe stainless steel material, a filtration system for clean and free-flowing running water, and a quiet pump.
The fountain is BPA-free, scratch-resistant, and dishwasher safe. The locking lid also provides security and hygiene, avoiding the lid from tipping over.
With a water capacity of 2L, it’s ideal for multicat households.
What we liked
- Easy to clean with the fountain being dishwasher safe and made of stainless steel.
- Durable and will last longer than other fountains made of plastic.
What we didn't like
- Large water capacity plus stainless steel material makes it heavier than most cat water fountains.
- May be too big for just one cat.
So there you have it, 5 of the best cat water fountains we’ve found with the best feedback and the best features. These are a range of plastic to stainless steel fountains, each being ideal for one cat or multi-cat households.
Conclusion
Cats aren’t naturally drawn to drink water, which is why they can be at risk for certain health problems brought about by dehydration. While placing a bowl of water beside their food bowl is the norm, you can encourage them to stay hydrated with a cat water fountain.
These water fountains are a great and simple solution, enticing cats to drink, while also giving you the peace of mind that your cat is safe from dehydration.
Take your pick from the best cat water fountains in the market, and don’t forget to consider the factors we mentioned before making that important purchase for your pet kitty.