Cat Water Fountains: Are They Worth It?

Cat owners looking to improve their pet’s health often consider buying a cat water fountain. While cats tend to get a lot of hydration from wet food, cats on a dry food diet — or those with hydration issues — can benefit from a cat water fountain.

Generally, getting a water fountain for your cat is a good idea. This article explores cat water fountains, how they work, pros and cons, and how to take care of the fountain to keep your cat’s health in top shape.

What is a Cat Water Fountain?

Cat water fountains are water fountains designed for drinking. They have a reservoir, pump, and motor that circulates the water, simulating a running stream or trickling water. This can be much more enticing for cats than stagnant water from a bowl — after all, wild cats would prefer to drink out of a stream over a puddle.

By making water run constantly, water fountains can encourage cats to drink water more regularly, helping them stay hydrated. Cat hydration is a big issue, so cats with chronic hydration problems can benefit from a water fountain.

How Do Cat Water Fountains Work?

A cat water fountain circulates water from a reservoir with a pump powered by a motor. The water comes out of a spout or nozzle, depending on the type of water fountain you choose, and creates a continuous stream of running water.

Most cat water fountains also come with filters to remove anything that gets caught in the water, including stray cat hair, dust, and other particles.

Each cat water fountain is different; for example, a gravity fountain spills water into a pool, while a bubbler fountain pushes water to the top to spill out. Cats are notoriously picky creatures, so your cat may prefer one style of water fountain over another.

Are Cat Water Fountains Worth It?

Most cat owners would say that cat water fountains are worth it, and some even choose to get a water fountain for their new kitten. However, water fountains aren’t the best idea for all cats and cat owners. 

Here are pros and cons to consider before buying a cat water fountain:

Cat Water Fountain Pros

Cat water fountains come with plenty of pros. Benefits include:

Better hydration. The top reason to get a cat water fountain is that they encourage cats to drink more water. This leads to better hydration, something that all cats can benefit from. 

Lower risk of urinary tract issues. Cats, and particularly male cats, can develop urinary tract problems when they don’t hydrate properly. Water fountains can help stave these issues off.

Fewer spills and messes. No more flipped over water bowls! Cat water fountains are heavier than water bowls, making them harder to tip or kick over.

Less hassle. Because cat water fountains have large reservoirs, you don’t need to check to make sure there’s enough water as often as you would with a bowl.

Calming sounds and sights. The sound of running water can be therapeutic for cats and humans alike. Nicer cat water fountains are also pleasant to look at.

Cat Water Fountain Cons

As with any purchase, there are cons to consider with a cat water fountain, including the following:

Cost. Cat water fountains are particularly expensive, but they cost more than a bowl. Aside from the upfront cost of the fountain, you need to buy replacement filters.

Cleaning and maintenance. You need to regularly clean the water fountain to prevent bacterial buildup. Water fountains can break down too, meaning maintenance might be required.

Size and space. Some cat water fountains can be large and bulky, taking up plenty of space. This can be an issue for cat owners in small homes.

Sound. Even if you like the sound of running water, the sound of the motor in a cat water fountain can grow louder over time. If the sound gets too loud, you might have to purchase a replacement motor. 

While there are cons to consider, the benefits of a cat water fountain outweigh the drawbacks. With a little care and attention, a cat water fountain can last for years. 

What to Look For When Buying a Cat Water Fountain

When shopping for a cat water fountain, consider the following:

• Capacity. Cat water fountains come in different sizes, and bigger cats need more water. If you have more than one cat at home, you probably need a large water fountain or several fountains around the house. 
• Filter. You should only consider buying a water fountain for your cat if it comes with a filter. Filters help keep the water clean, and as a result help keep your cat healthy.
• Sound. If a cat water filter’s reviews mention loud sounds, don’t buy it. Loud water fountains are a nuisance, and cats might avoid the noisy fountain.
• Ease of use. Complicated cat water fountains are fun and great, but simple fountains are much easier to clean and maintain. This is something to consider when shopping.
• Design. Cat water fountains come in all types of shapes and sizes, so have fun with it! You can easily find a fountain that matches your home’s style.

How to Clean a Cat Water Fountain

You need to regularly clean a water fountain to keep it working properly and to remove buildup of bacteria, hair, or other contaminants in the water. Fortunately, cleaning water fountains is very easy. Simply turn off the fountain, take it apart, empty the water, clean the parts, replace the filter, dry everything, then put it back together with new water. That’s it!

While easy, many cat owners don’t clean their water fountains often enough. You should make sure to clean the fountain at least once a week, and maybe more often if you have more than one cat. 

If you have any questions about cleaning the fountain, check the manufacturer’s instructions. These can easily be found online if you lost the paper manual. 

FAQs About Cat Water Fountains