The 12 Best Cat Water Fountains, Tested and Reviewed by WIRED (2025)

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As we saw with rise Automatic garbage bins, Automatic feeders, Pet trackingAnd now the cat water fountain, technology has made it so that we can keep a close eye on our pets and make sure they are taken care of without having to do a lot of manual work.

The cat water fountain encourages cats to drink more water, which helps their overall health. I have noticed an increase in my cat’s water consumption since switching to the fountain. As a helicopter parent of pets, I have become a believer in the fountain.

Although automatic water fountains are better for your cats’ overall water intake, they require more work and money. Instead of refilling the bowl, these take more elbow grease, but it’s worth it for your cat’s health. Besides routine refilling and cleaning, you will need to disassemble the fountain to clean all the parts, including using a brush for the bowl and pipes. You may also have to disassemble the engine for a deep clean due to mineral buildup. These products also have different types of filter cartridges in specific shapes for brand fountains, which require you to purchase and change the filters, usually monthly or more often.

Many of these fountains also have a connected app, reminding you when it’s time to clean, replace the filter, and refill the water. Many also track the number of times your pet drinks throughout the day, week, and month to monitor your pet’s habits and track any changes. A cat drinking a lot more or less water than usual can be a good indicator that something is wrong with its health.

I (and my cat) have been testing different models (and some technologically advanced ones) of automatic pet water fountains currently available to see which ones are worth the money.

Check out our related guides like Best automatic feeders, Best automatic litter boxes, Our favorite luxury cat furnitureand Our favorite cat toys, litter boxes and cat supplies. More than one dog person? We’ve got you covered; See our The best tech accessories and essentials for your dog guide.

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Cats sometimes have difficulty consuming enough water, which can lead to the possibility of this occurring Fatal urinary tract infection Blockages in male cats especially. This is one of the reasons why veterinarians are moving more towards encouraging owners to give their cat at least a partially wet diet, as this helps them consume more moisture, especially since cats do not naturally consume as much water as dogs. Unlike dogs, cats are generally quite specific about their likes and dislikes, and cats can see that standing water may be harmful. (If your cat is in the wild, stagnant water has a greater potential for harmful bacteria to breed.) Cats are most attracted to moving water in nature, and these fountains help encourage them to drink more by mimicking what they are naturally drawn to.

Let’s be honest, a lot of these fountains are pretty similar. I particularly looked for the overall design, as I’m a fan of stainless steel because of its potential for porous plastic Harmful bacteria. I also prefer a wide tank without high sides to help reduce the chance of this happening Vertigo fatigue. I prefer fountains that have a small water reservoir available at all times, in case the water level drops or the power goes out. I took into account the ease of setup, refilling and cleaning, as well as the overall design. Of course, there were some that the cats took to immediately, and others that they didn’t seem to like so much.

I used each for a week as my cats’ main source of water. As mentioned earlier, I noted the ease of setup, evaluated the parts and filters, and generally compared the different types of water fountains – faucet, bubbler, or waterfall. Some streams were continuous and some were intermittent (my cat did not prefer intermittent). Cats may also be fascinated and want to play with the device instead of drinking, so be sure to give them time and have another water source until they fully adjust to the new device.



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