12 Best Cat Water Fountains, Tested and Reviewed by WIRED (2025)
as seen With the rise of automated litter boxes, automated feeders, pet tracking and now cat water fountains, technology allows us to closely monitor our pets and ensure they are cared for without a lot of manual labor.
Cat water fountains encourage cats to drink more water, which helps their overall health. Since switching to the fountain, I have noticed an increase in my cat's water consumption. As a pet helicopter mom, I have become a fountain believer.
While automatic waterers are better for cats' overall water consumption, they do require more work and money. These require more physical labor than refilling a bowl – but it's worth it for your cat's health. In addition to routine refilling and cleaning, you'll also need to disassemble the fountain to clean all parts, including using a brush to clean the bowl and tubes. You may also need to disassemble the motor for a deep cleaning due to mineral buildup. These also come in different types of filter cartridges that are shaped specifically for that brand of fountain, which requires you to purchase and replace the filter, usually monthly or more frequently.
Many fountains also come with connected apps that will remind you when to clean, change filters, and refill water. Many also track how many times your pet drinks water over the course of a day, week, and month to monitor your pet's habits and track any changes. Cats drinking more or less water than usual can be a good indicator that something is wrong with their health.
I (and my cats) tested various models of (and some technologically advanced) automatic pet waterers currently available to see which ones were worth the money.
Check out our related guides like the best automatic feeders , the best automatic litter boxes , our favorite awesome cat furniture , and our favorite cat toys, litter boxes, and other feline supplies. More of a dog person? We've got you covered; see our guide to the best accessories and tech essentials for your dog.
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Cats sometimes have difficulty consuming enough water, which can lead to potentially fatal urinary tract infections and blockages, especially in male cats. This is one of the reasons why veterinarians are more encouraging owners to give their cats at least partially wet food, as this helps them consume more water, especially since cats naturally don't consume as much water as dogs. Unlike dogs, cats generally have their own likes and dislikes, and cats can view stagnant water as potentially harmful. (If cats are out in the wild, stagnant water is more likely to harbor harmful bacteria). Cats prefer flowing water in nature, and these fountains help them drink more water by mimicking their natural attraction.
To be honest, many fountains are pretty much the same. I pay special attention to the overall design – I'm a big fan of stainless steel because porous plastics can harbor harmful bacteria. I also like the wide reservoir without high sides to help reduce the chance of beard fatigue. I prefer fountains with a small basin that can be used at any time in case of low water levels or power outage. I considered ease of setup, filling and cleaning as well as overall design. Of course, there are some that my cats like immediately and some that they don’t seem to like so much.
I use these as my cat's main water source for a week. As mentioned, I noted the ease of setup, evaluated parts and filters, and made an overall comparison of various types of water dispensers (faucet, bubbler, or waterfall). Some water flows are continuous and some are intermittent (my cats don’t like intermittent ones). Cats may also become interested in playing with the machine instead of drinking the water, so be sure to give them time and keep another water source nearby until they are fully accustomed to the new equipment.