The 6 Best Cat Water Fountains of 2020

Why do cats prefer water fountains? Do they drink more?

There are several reasons why cat fountains have taken off in popularity, not the least of which being that they filter and purify your cat’s water far more than traditional water sources. 

If you feel iffy about the water that’s coming out of the tap, would you really feel good about making your cat drink it? We give cats a bad rep for being incredibly picky when it comes to the food and water we offer them, but if they turn up their noses at these things it’s in part because they have such a keen sense of smell. They can smell and sense when something’s not quite right with that water, and are hesitant to drink it –  can we really blame them?

There is another, very good reason why cats in particular can benefit from water fountains – they can help prevent hairballs. Yes, you read that correctly, help prevent hairballs. The less hydrated your cat is, the more likely hairballs become. A water fountain that can keep them better hydrated and, thus, less likely to spit up hairballs is, thus, a worthwhile investment for you and your cat.

As with water filters for humans, cat water fountains often feature carbon or charcoal filtration. While the discussion as to whether water filtration can make drinking water more nutrient-rich is still ongoing, filtration does make the water purer. Another option is gravity filters, which are just what they sound like, fountains that use the force of gravity to separate out pollutants.

We all love a cat’s purr, but you’re probably less enthused about being stuck with a loud droning hum all day, so you’ll want to make sure the water fountain operates as quietly as possible.

You don’t want the water fountain to be too active for your cat, so the ability to change speeds is also important. In addition, you’ll want to pay close attention to the water capacity. Unless you want to be stuck constantly refilling the fountain, try to find one in which the water capacity is on the larger side. 

Finally, there’s the question of material and price. Plastic is less expensive, but also less durable, while porcelain can be durable and look quite elegant, but may be priced rather high. Stainless steel can be an alternative to either, but with that you have to take into consideration the possibility of rust.

So what are The Best Cat Water Fountains available today? 

Comsmart Cat Water Fountain

One of the first things to note about this water fountain for cats from Comsmart is its pump. On the one hand, it’s relatively quiet for a cat water fountain pump at just 40 dB. While that is nowhere near whisper silent, it is still on the quiet side and certainly a welcome break from louder pumps. At the same time, this pump is able to operate at a low level of power consumption, taking just 1.5 W with a large capacity of 2.4L. While being on the larger side, its compact cylindrical build doesn’t take up too much space. The life expectancy of this pump is also respectable at between 2.5 to 4 years.

This water fountain also features a blue LED light that allows you to clearly see how much water is left in the tank to ensure that you know when you need to refill it. Having a light notify you of this rather than loud, obnoxious beeping is another nice, thoughtful touch, and the blue LED lighting can even create a bit of an inviting ambiance in a space.

The fountain itself is made from food-grade resin and steel. It meets human health standards, and so it should be more than enough to make sure that your cat is receiving the best germ-free running water possible. 

One especially nice aesthetic touch is that you can actually change the design of the water flow itself. Whether you fancy a flower fountain, one that produces bubbles, or a more gentle fountain flow, it’s simple for you to change the settings to suit your tastes. Making this almost like a decorating feature as much as a cat fountain. 

Taken together with its quiet operation and large capacity, the blend of form and function makes this an optimal choice of cat water fountain.

Pet Fountain Cat Water Dispenser

This is another water fountain that features changeable waterflow settings, also allowing you to create floral and bubble patterns as well as a standard gentle stream. It takes slightly more power than the Comsmart option at 2 W, and is slightly smaller at 2 L. However, it can also run dry for a week and is on the quiet side for a cat water fountain. What’s more, the water stored in this cat water dispenser can stay good for up to a month, which is certainly convenient if you don’t want to have to deal with the hassle of changing it every day.

This option is also food-grade certified, and its parts are easy to detach and clean. It comes with two replacement filters, which can be used multiple times. Just dry them in the sun after use and they should be ready to go.

Veken Pet Fountain

This unit features a fountainhead shaped like a flower – nectar-yellow center and all – jutting out from the center. That centerpiece, as well as the light blue frame, imbue this cat water fountain with a decoratively playful flair. When it comes to water filtration, however, this unit is all business, making use of charcoal and ion exchange to provide your cat with purified water.

This water fountain’s pump operates below 40 dB, making it another good quiet choice, and like the Comsmart option boasts a life expectancy between 2.5 and 4 years, while boasting a slightly greater water capacity at 2.5 L. Its circulation system makes sure that water is constantly filtered so as to make sure it is at its freshest when your cat goes for a drink.

The fountain itself is made of high-quality resin, making it both highly durable and easy to clean. Of course, part of the mess that can come from water fountains isn’t due to the fountain itself, but your cat. We all love when our cats are playful, but there’s no denying that what they consider innocent fun can often result in a big mess, especially when water is around. Thankfully, this unit boasts a silicone pad to help soak up some of that splashed water.

It also features floral, bubble water stream settings and comes with three replacement filters.

iPettie Tritone Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain

As opposed to the Veken Pet Fountain’s more playfully ornate appearance, this option from iPettie is far more streamlined. This can make it a good choice if space is limited or you prefer a Less is More approach to your décor. That said, that smaller size also means this unit has the smallest water capacity of any fountain on this list, though 1.5 L is still a highly respectable amount.

The water flows out of the spout in a downward arch into a compact bowl, which is helpfully marked with Min and Max lines to indicate how far it has been filled up so as to prevent spillage. As with other cat water fountains on this list, this model features adjustable water flow along with LED lights to help entice your cat and help them find it at night. 

This is also another water fountain that operates quietly, making use of noise-cancelling technology. It also boasts quick-release parts that can be easily detached and cleaned.

isYoung Cat Fountain LED Pet Water Fountain

With an elegant white eco-friendly porcelain floral design, this is arguably the most ornate cat water fountain on this list, and is priced to match. That said, it offers a great deal of functionality along with that impeccable form. 

As with the other models, it allows you to choose between three different streams. Its filter makes use of carbon and charcoal filtering to filter out both bad odor as well as bad tastes. It makes use of 2 W of power and is very quiet while running. It boasts a respectable water capacity of 2.1 L which can keep the water stored in its basin fresh for two weeks.

It also features easily-detached parts and can be easily wiped down with a sponge or rag.

Each of these water fountains for cats can offer your feline friend the kind of cool, clean, refreshing water they need and deserve.