A: Yes, generally cats prefer drinking from water fountains as it is instinctive of them to avoid standing water, as in the wild this could be dirty and make them ill. However, it does depend on your cat! Q: Will cat water fountains increase my cat’s water consumption? An electric, automatic cat water fountain can entice the feline in your life to drink more often, though some families get a fountain for a dog to ensure there's always fresh water on hand. A pet water fountain can often hold several days worth of liquid, so you'd need to refresh it less often than a bowl. Most include a carbon filter to clean the water, much like a water pitcher filter you might use for yourself. The only disadvantage of a fountain over a bowl is that an automatic fountain requires electricity. A: While cat water fountains are generally safe, poor maintenance or using dirty water can lead to bacterial growth or slime formation. Regular cleaning and proper water hygiene are crucial to mitigate any potential risks. A: Yes, cat water fountains are safe. If anything, they are safer for your cats than water bowls as they encourage your cat to drink more which is good for their health. As long as you keep your cat’s water fountain clean, there are no safety concerns. Q: How often should you change the water in a cat fountain? Dogs are bigger on average, so most drink more than a cat will. A dog drinks an ounce for every pound, so a 50-pound dog drinks about 1.5 liters daily, Dr. Conrad says. If your fountain is for your pup or will be shared between a dog and a cat, we recommend you look for a large-capacity pet fountain.

A water fountain with many different options will help you pinpoint your cat's favorite ways to drink, so you can learn how to provide for their hydration. Don't take away the old water bowl right away. "It’s important to let your cat decide what they like and to offer choices to encourage more water consumption," Dr. Krohn says. Dogs drink more water than cats and this holds a full six liters of water for them, filtering it and sending it bubbling or running out the top.With indicator lights letting you know when the water is low and when it’s time to change the filter, this is a helpful little device that makes water fountain management easy. When it’s time to wash the Petkit Eversweet 2, it’s easy to pull apart the nested components and pop the plastic parts into the dishwasher. What We Liked: Cat water fountains are an excellent tool for boosting your cat’s hydration, but they don’t always fit where you want them to. Most cat water fountains use a power cord, which means you’ll have to find a spare outlet in a location your cat tends to frequent. Enticement: If your cordless water fountain doesn’t attract the attention of your cat, you may as well just use a water bowl. Therefore, the water fountain must encourage your cat to drink.

The PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Ceramic Fountain is available in four colors: white, red, taupe, and Himalayan blue.

Best Cat Water Fountains: Our Top 8 Picks Reviewed

According to Litter Robot, research is required when finding a water fountain for your cat. But, they are generally safe. Not every cat will take to a water fountain. "Although many cats prefer water fountains, there are also cats that will not use them," says Bradley Krohn, a veterinarian with The Vets. Read a tip in the box below for finding out if your cat will like using one. Then follow this advice for setting up a cat water fountain: Homerunpet’s cat fountain isn’t cordless or battery-operated in the traditional sense of the word. However, it has a unique pump design, which is why I’ve included it in this list. Benefits Ensure your cat is taking in sufficient fluids to live a long, healthy and happy feline life with a pet water fountain for cats. The unit is easy to clean and maintain because you don’t have to bother with inside wires, and there are no hard-to-reach places.

Cats are notoriously fussy creatures, and getting your cat to drink more may also be as simple as moving their bowl from where it is to a new location. They oxygenate the water, making it taste fresher than water in a bowl and encouraging your cat to drink more. Secondly, they make life easier for you. Instead of refilling the bowl once a day, you’ll have to refill your cat’s water fountain only once every week or two. Appearance – will come into play. Go for something that fits with your aesthetic, but don’t sacrifice too much practicality for style. You need to make sure it’s a safe drinking environment for your cat. Are cat water fountains good for your cat? A cat water fountain provides fresh filtered water to encourage a cat to drink more water throughout the day, and studies have shown that running water is more appealing to some cats. Dehydration is a common issue among cats resulting in lethargy, a loss of appetite, and other negative effects. If this sounds like your cat, upgrading their water bowl to a water fountain and feeding more wet food are simple swaps to make that will help your cat consume the hydration they need. Encourages Hydration: Cats are notorious for having a low thirst drive, resulting in chronic dehydration. A water fountain can entice them to consume more water, promoting their overall well-being.The wireless ultra-quiet pump eliminates exposed electrical wires inside the unit, which guarantees your cat’s safety.

We tested six of the most popular flower designs, including the ubiquitous plastic Catit Flower Cat Fountain, and mostly found them to be of similar quality. Many even shared identical components. Overall, we weren't too impressed by any of the flower fountains, which were mostly flimsy and have a divider between you and most of the water bowl, making it difficult to tell when they were running low. Plus, if the bowl loses power, your cat won't have access to the water. It features a triple-filtration system so the charcoal filter will trap all impurities, ensuring your furry friend has fresh and clean liquid to drink. And replacement filters are easy to find. Ease of Cleaning: Although cat water fountains only have water running through them, they can still get dirty and limescale can build up. So, the ideal cordless water filter would be easy to clean. Filters are important in cat water fountains too as they help keep the water clean for your cat to drink.

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This ceramic water fountain looks more like home decor, so if you plan on placing it in a living room or office, it will blend in nicely, though you can expect to pay a bit more for it. Some other useful features of this design include the high-end filter and the filter replacement reminder. The filter is an advanced charcoal filter that catches all dirt and debris, alongside metal ions and other impurities. The replacement reminder then lights up when the filter needs replacing. This means you always have peace of mind that the water is being effectively filtered and purified. In conjunction with the Petkit Eversweet 2’s three-level filtration system, this energy management system allows the filters to last longer than those in most water fountains. If used in Smart Mode, you’ll have to replace the carbon filter once every three months. Most water fountains recommend filter replacement once every two to four weeks. Unique design to separate water and electricity to ensure your cat’s safety and a quiet pump to reduce your cat’s anxiety I ran each of the fountains one by one, taking note of their noise output. I listened for a motor hum and any splashing sounds. The sound of the Eversweet 2, NPET, and Cat Mate fountains was almost imperceptible, while the Catit and Pioneer Pet fountains both hummed faintly as they ran. Though still quiet, the PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum was the loudest of the bunch, producing a distinct hum that you could hear from across the room. It was also the only water fountain with noticeable water noise. Cat Appeal