As can be seen from rise automatic litter boxes, automatic feeders, tracking petsand now a cat water fountain, technology has made it possible for us to keep a close eye on our pets and ensure they are taken care of without the need for a lot of physical work.
A cat fountain encourages cats to drink more water, which helps their overall health. I have noticed an increase in my cats water consumption since switching to the fountain. As a pet helicopter mom, I have become a believer in fountains.
Although automatic fountains are better for your cats’ overall water consumption, they require a little more work and money. Instead of refilling the bowl, they require a little more elbow grease—but it’s worth it for your cat’s health. Along with routine filling and cleaning, you’ll need to take the fountain apart to clean all parts, including using a bowl and tube brush. You may also need to take the engine apart for a deep cleaning due to mineral build-up. They also have different types of filter cartridges in specific forms for brand fountains, which require the purchase and replacement of filters, usually monthly or more frequently.
Many of these fountains also have a connected app that reminds you when to clean, replace the filter, and refill the water. Many also track how many times your pet drinks throughout the day, week and month to track your pet’s habits and track any changes. A cat drinking a lot more or a lot less water than usual can be a good indicator that something is wrong with its health.
I (and my cats) have tested various models (and some of the more technologically advanced) automatic pet fountains currently available to see which ones are worth the money.
Check out our related guides like The best automatic feeders, The best automatic litter boxes, Our favorite fancy cat furnitureand Our favorite cat toys, litter boxes and other cat supplies. Do you prefer a dog? We’ve got you covered; see ours The best accessories and technical equipment for your dog guide.
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Cats sometimes struggle to get enough water, which can potentially lead to deadly STIs and especially blockages in male cats. This is one of the reasons why veterinarians are increasingly encouraging owners to give their cats at least partially wet food, 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 in their likes and dislikes, and cats can see standing water as potentially harmful. (If the cat has been in the wild, stagnant water has more potential for harmful bacteria). Cats are more attracted to moving water in nature, and these fountains encourage them to drink more by mimicking what they are naturally attracted to.
Let’s be honest, many of these fountains are pretty much the same. I was specifically looking for the overall design—I am a poor enemy of stainless steel due to the potential of porous plastic harmful bacteria. I also prefer a wide tank without high sides to reduce the possibility of mustache fatigue. I prefer fountains that have a small pool of water that is always available, in case of low water levels or power outages. I considered the ease of setup, refilling and cleaning, as well as the overall design. And of course, there were some that my cats immediately accepted, and some that they didn’t really like.
I used each of them for a week as the main water source for my cats. As mentioned, I looked at ease of setup, evaluated parts and filters, and generally compared different types of water fountains—fountain, bubbler, or waterfall. Some streams were continuous and some intermittent (my cats didn’t like the intermittent ones). Cats may also be intrigued and want to play with the machine rather than drink, so be sure to give them time and keep another water source until they are fully adjusted to the new device.