The Best Water Fountains for Pets, Tried & Tested

Before you choose an automatic pet water fountain, here are some factors to consider:

✔️ Ease of cleaning: In our tests, the stainless-steel fountains and ceramic fountains were easier to clean than the plastic ones, but they were more expensive to purchase. The little plastic flower spouts on some pet fountains are very cute but are a little harder to clean than the simpler fountain spouts. It's nice when pieces can be put in the dishwasher, though many pet families report that they simply hand-wash their pet fountains so they're not out of operation for more than a few minutes. Pumps are the hardest parts to clean but do not need to be scrubbed regularly like the rest of the fountain. Keep and consult the manual that comes with your fountain for when you have to clean the pump.

✔️ Capacity: If you intend for the fountain to serve water to your cat when you go on vacation, keep this in mind: A healthy 10-pound cat should drink eight fluid ounces a day, according to Megan Conrad, MBBS, a veterinarian at HelloRalphie.com (a HearstLab company). Even so, if you'll be gone longer than a weekend, you should have someone check in and refill the fountain and any automatic feeder just to be safe. There's always the chance that your electricity could go out, stopping the water fountain, so having a cat sitter is important. If you frequently travel, we also suggest a pet camera.

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.

✔️ Type and size: Most pet water fountains either drip water down from a height or have it bubble up from the bowl; many fountains can do either depending on whether you insert the spout or just let the water gurgle at the surface. Our two non-electric choices work differently, with one just holding water in a bowl and the other being dog-activated to shoot water in the air.

When it comes to kittens, senior pets and toy dog breeds, most have the easiest time reaching a low-profile water fountain that's less than four inches tall. Regular cats and small dog breeds can use most standard pet fountains that have a bowl that's three to six inches off the ground. Larger dogs won't have to stoop so much if their fountain is six or more more inches from the ground.

✔️ Cost of filters: Check the price of the replacement filters and how often the brand suggests you change the filter. Another option is to go with a fountain that does not require a filter at all, like the Cheerble Wireless Cat Water Dispenser. If you like your local water supply and don't filter your own drinking water, you do not have to filter your pet's water, though it's obvious that the brands highly encourage you to do so. "Pets don't need filtered water. I would consider this more of a luxury," say Dr. Conrad. "In some areas, filtered water tastes better so this may be beneficial for cats that need more water or are picky."

Are you wondering if a water fountain is better than a water bowl for cats? We consulted with two vets to get their expertise.

"Cats are very particular about what they drink so fountains are naturally more appealing to them. My dog will drink old water but my cats insist the water is fresh before drinking it, and they drink out of both a fountain and a bowl," says Dr. Conrad. "If your cat drinks happily from a bowl, it isn't a necessity to have a fountain, but sometimes I will recommend fountains for cats with urinary or kidney issues to encourage them to drink more often and remain hydrated."

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:

• 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.
• Consider providing water in more than one room. "Having several water locations throughout the home will encourage water consumption and also help a multi-cat household share more easily," Dr. Krohn says. "Imagine having five roommates and one water glass!" If you have multiple cats, you might want more than one cat water fountain.
• Be good about cleaning and refreshing. "It’s important that the water is completely replaced once to twice a week at minimum. Even if a cat water fountain has a filter, the water will not taste as fresh if not changed frequently," Dr. Krohn says. "Too many cat owners never change the water in fountains and just keep adding to it, which should be avoided."

You will want to clean your pet fountain once a week, or at least every two weeks, to limit bacterial growth. Any vessel that holds water for that length of time will start to get slimy without a cleaning. Disassemble the fountain; most parts except the pump and the filter can go in the dishwasher or you can wash them in your sink with dish soap and warm water. Just be sure to rinse well. Read the manufacturer's instructions on how often to replace the filter. Be sure to change the water often.

The scientists, researchers and market specialists at the Good Housekeeping Institute in New York City have been helping consumers make good choices for more than a century. Our experts collect data and evaluate purchases big and small.

Contributing writer and cat parent Jessica Hartshorn tested the pet water fountains for this story and wrote the reviews. She most recently helmed kid and pet coverage for Parents magazine.