No matter what type of cat owner you are, you want the best for your felines. Whether you are the affectionate type or someone who does not show how cute you find those fur balls, you are probably worried about them all the time.
As someone who has cats too, I’m familiar with the feeling of guilt when I forget to leave food and water for my kitties. It’s a good thing that you can consult the best cat water fountain reviews for the best picks out there.
PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
The free-falling stream of water will make most cats giddy with excitement! The stream is powered by a 12V system that will continuously allow the water flow through the system.
A carbon fiber filter will remove all of the bad odors and yucky tastes that may be found in tap water. This version holds 168 ounces of water and the adjustable flow will be perfect for multi-cat households that may need a bigger flow.
THE GOOD
- Dishwasher safe
- Adjustable water flow
- Replaceable carbon fiber filter
- BPA free construction
- 128-ounce water capacity
- 1-year warranty
THE BAD
- Reports of motor died after a short time
- Some have noted slime and gunk issues even after cleaning
- Some cats may be afraid of it
- A few have mentioned that the motor seems noisy
Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer
There are no plugs or batteries with this gravity-driven waterer. The water runs through a charcoal filter which will help eliminate chlorine and other chemicals to ensure the freshest water is delivered to your cat. The base also uses Microban Antimicrobial protection to prevent the growth of stains and bacteria.
Simply add water to the reservoir – invert it and twist it into the base and it will begin to dispense. The PET plastic that is used is another nice touch since PET plastic has been proven to be healthier for pets than PVS which is used in other waterers.
THE GOOD
- Available in 4 size capacities from .5 gallon to 4 gallon
- Water filtration system keeps the water clean
- Microban Protection to prevent bacteria
- Made in the USA
- Dishwasher safe base
THE BAD
- Reservoir can be difficult to unscrew from the base
- Reservoir can get heavy when filled with water – may be hard for ill or elderly to handle
- Some feel the water in the bowl is not enough
- Reports of leaks
Catit Fountain
Designed for smaller locations but a big enough water capacity to make a big impact. The bonus is that it is just an absolutely adorable fountain and will make a great accent in any room in your home! This 100-ounce capacity cat fountain offers 3 flow settings to help your kitty get the flow of water that they like the most. The small pump helps to recirculate the water and continuous filtration keeps the water the cleanest it can be.
What we particularly like about this cat fountain is the way the water comes out of the flower in small streams which will prevent your cat from getting their whiskers wet. The bonus with this fountain is the creative packaging that can turn into a fun cat toy!
TIP: Filters for the fountain can be expensive and have to be replaced monthly. Some customers have used coffee filters or even napkins to catch some particles. We do not recommend this if you live in an area that does not have good tap water – but for those that do this is a cost saver.
THE GOOD
- 100-ounce water capacity
- Easy to clean
- 3 water flow settings including gentle flow, bubbling top and calm streams
- Flower is removable to allow cats to get to the water in a different way
- Packaging for the product turns into a cat toy
THE BAD
- Reports of it being noisy (but this can be from water being too low or the fountain being dirty)
- Motor is small so lacks power to move water quicker
- Container needs to be kept full with water to keep it working properly
- More active/inquisitive cats may tip it over
- Excessive cost for filters
Why Should You Buy A Water Fountain?
Days, when you have to take your cat’s bowl and refill it with water, are long gone. Now, you have the choice to invest in a water fountain that will be your cat’s source of water.
Based on observation, cats gravitate towards water fountains. When you have feline friends in your place, you can just set up an area where they can get their food and water. There’s no more need for feeding them from a bowl unless you just feel like doing so.
There are theories that cats perceive running water as safer compared to the water in a bowl. Since cats are attracted to movement, using a water fountain would not be hard for them. After all, cats are smart creatures.
What Should Your Cat Water Fountain Do?
When you are in the market for the best water fountains, there are some things that you have to consider. If you don’t know how to choose the right water fountain, don’t worry. We will cover everything you need to know about them in this section.
Water Recycling
Using water fountains in your home is great because cats can tell if water is fresh or not. Hence, you should look for a water fountain that uses a system that retains the freshness of the water it contains. You can read more about the water recycling they use on their websites.
Dispensing Water Without Fail
Not all of the water fountains in the market are reliable. If you bought a fountain to ensure your cats have access to water when you are away, you need to check on its reliability.
Does the fountain clog easily? If it’s always clogged, it would be useless to have a water fountain since your cats would still have no access to water.
Reliability ratings are vital when you are considering a product. You need to make sure that the water fountain will not fail especially when you are not around. The best thing to do is read the reviews of other people who are using the product.
Material
When it comes to materials, the most common for cat water fountains is plastic, ceramic and stainless steel.
Most cat water fountains are plastic. However, some cat owners re wary about using them because they can cause feline acne. Since plastic is prone to scratches, bacteria make its way to the fountain when it is not maintained properly.
If you have the same worries, your best bet is to go for stainless steel or ceramic cat fountains. Needless to say, there are still a lot of people who use plastic cat fountains although they set a regular cleaning schedule for their cat’s water stops.
The choice depends on what you think is best for your cat.
Cleanup and Maintenance
One consideration that you should never skip on when shopping for cat fountains is maintenance. As much as possible, you want to avoid those models that are so hard to take apart and assemble.
These days, there are many cat fountains that you can disassemble in a few minutes and assemble when you are done cleaning it. The best choice if you want something low maintenance is to look for fountains that are dishwasher safe. If all you need to do is place the item in your dishwasher, it would be less likely for you to feel too lazy to clean your kitty’s water fountain.
Keep in mind that maintenance and regular cleaning is necessary to extend the life of the water fountain and at the same time make sure that water from the fountain is clean.
Noise Level
All types of water fountains use a pump which means that there could be some noise involved. Noise is a common complaint in some cat water fountains. Cats could be hesitant or scared to go near the water fountain if it emits a lot of noise.
Aside from that, you do not want to have a cat water fountain that prevents you from sleeping soundly. Noise can also be irritating. When shopping, ask people about their experience with a cat water fountain.
You also have the option to request a demo to see how the actual thing works. This way, you can gauge whether the noise is acceptable in your house.
Size
How big should the cat fountain be?
You need to consider the size of the water fountain. When you have limited space and more than one cat, you have to think about the ideal size so it will not cram your living area and for the fountain to serve the needs of your cat.
Final Thoughts
Based on features and reviews, the winner is the PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain. Even if the material is plastic, your cat will not be prone to acne if you clean it regularly. It’s not plastic that causes acne itself but the bacterial levels on it.
Aside from being reliable, it is compact and small. The price is highly affordable. Plus, it supports multiple pet homes. Hence, this product deserves a spot in the best cat water fountain reviews.
Are you still looking for a cat water fountain? What features are the most important?
Tell us all about your cat water fountain adventures in the comment section. Don’t forget to click share if you find this useful.
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