Making sure your cat gets enough water in their diet is crucial. Cats are naturally drawn to moving water because in the wild that's a good indication of freshness. Pet fountains are the perfect solution for your cat's health and we believe every cat family should have one. We've gone through countless pet fountains over the years and we've had love-hate relationships with a number of them. Even our top-rated fountains have their shortcomings, but we'll guide you through all the pros and cons and help you decide which pet fountain is right for your home.

Comparison Table

Here's a table that compares the fountain dimensions, capacities, and filter requirements. For a more detailed comparison click here.

Rank		__________________	Price	Capacity	Material	Dimensions	Filters	More Info
1	Catit Flower Fountain		$	101 oz.	Plastic	8.3"L x 8.3"W x 7.3"H		Read Full Review
2	PetSafe Drinkwell Seascape Pet Fountain		$$$	70 oz.	Ceramic	10.25"L x 8.5"W x 5.25"H		Read Full Review
3	Cat Mate Pet Fountain		$	70 oz.	Plastic	10.5″L x 6.8″W x 8.8″H		Read Full Review
4	PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain		$$	168 oz.	Plastic	16″L x 11″W x 10.5″H		Read Full Review
5	PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Pet Fountain		$$	128 oz.	Plastic or Stainless Steel	13.5″L x 13.5″W x 8.8″H		Read Full Review
6	PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Fountain		$	70 oz.	Plastic	11.5″L x 8″W x 5.5″H		Read Full Review
7	PetSafe Drinkwell Avalon Pet Fountain		$$$	70 oz.	Ceramic	10.25"L x 10.25"W x 6.25"H		Read Full Review
8	PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Pet Fountain		$$$	70 oz.	Ceramic	10.5"L x 9"W x 5.75"H		Read Full Review
9	PetSafe Drinkwell Zen Pet Fountain		$$	128 oz.	Stainless Steel and Plastic	13.4″L x 13.4″W x 6.3″H		Read Full Review
10	Pioneer Pet Raindrop Stainless Steel Pet Fountain		$$	60 oz.	Stainless Steel	11.75"L x 9.75"W x 4.25"H		Read Full Review

Pet Fountain Considerations

Now that you've seen our top picks we can talk you through some general considerations to help you pick which pet fountain is right for you and your cat. We'll start with selecting the best fountain material, then go over some of the common questions concerning cost and maintenance.

Fountain Material

There are 3 main types of cat fountains on the market. Each fountain material has a few pros and cons that you should be aware of before you make a purchase.

Plastic

The most common pet fountain material is plastic. Plastic is inexpensive, comes in a variety of colors and designs, and in most cases is dishwasher-safe on the top shelf. It is a good idea to make sure the plastic fountain is BPA-free. The main disadvantages to plastic pet fountains is that they don't last as long and they aren't quite as sanitary as other materials. Plastic has been known to cause feline acne. If your cat is prone to feline acne, we definitely recommend avoiding plastic pet fountains. Over time plastic fountains develop small scratches that end up being breeding grounds for bacteria. Once this happens, you'll probably need to start shopping for a new pet fountain. 

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel pet fountains are attractive and more hygienic than plastic. They are also dishwasher safe and tend to be easier to clean. A lot of stainless steel pet fountains still have some plastic components. The pump housing is almost always plastic. And sometimes the filter housing is made of plastic as well. If your cat has feline acne, a stainless steel fountain with minimal plastic components will still be better than an all plastic pet fountain. Stainless Steel is pricier than plastic, but it is also longer-lasting. Some cats are finicky about drinking or eating from stainless steel because of it's shiny, reflective surface. But most cats won't have any issues drinking from a stainless steel pet fountain.

Ceramic

Ceramic pet fountains are becoming more and more popular. Ceramic fountains are the nicest looking in our opinion. They also happen to be the most expensive. Ceramic fountains come in a variety of colors and modern designs that'll blend in with your home decor. They are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. They are also very long-lasting as long as you're careful about not chipping them or breaking them. Ceramic is a non-porous material that is very hygienic and excellent for cats with feline acne. 

Pet Fountain Maintenance

Whether you spend several minutes a day turning on the water faucet for your cat to drink from, or you're refilling their water bowl every day, making sure your cat has adequate fresh water is a time-consuming task for pet owners. When you have an electric pet fountain, you'll be reducing the amount of daily effort, but you'll have to spend a bigger chunk of time every week or so cleaning your cat's fountain. If you're under the impression that getting a pet fountain will save you lots of time and effort, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that simply is not the case. 

Pet fountains are excellent because they ensure your cat has regular access to fresh drinking water. Cats are more likely to drink from a flowing water source than from stagnant water in a bowl. But maintaining a pet fountain will be just as time-consuming as refilling that bowl of water every day.  

We have 3 cats and 2 pet fountains. This is our maintenance routine for each fountain:

• Every 2-3 Days: Top-off / Refill pet fountain
• Weekly: Dump out and refill pet fountain with clean water
• Monthly: Deep clean pet fountain and pump and replace the filter

For the deep cleaning we recommend using this brush set from PetSafe along with soap and water. 

To clean the pump, you'll need to fully disassemble it to clean out all the gunk and debris. These pumps are made of several parts and you really need to take them all the way apart to get them clean. Here's a graphic that shows how they come apart.

How Much Does it all Cost?

Aside from the upfront cost of your pet fountain, there are a few other costs you should be aware of before making your purchase. The most expensive cost will be the filters. The power cost is very minimal comparatively. 

Power Cost of Running Pet Fountain 24/7

Your typical pet fountain uses a 12V submersible pump that pumps 50-80 gallons per hour and consumes less than 3 Watts. With electricity costing about $0.12/kWh, running your cat fountain 24 hours a day will cost you about $3.15 a year. That shouldn't break the bank! 

Filter Cost

Filters aren't required for pet fountain operation but they are highly recommended to maintain the freshness of the drinking water. They'll also extend the life of your pump. Filters cost between $1 and $3 each and will usually need to be changed monthly. Some fountains are designed with a single filter while others require 2 separate filters - a carbon filter for improving taste and a solids filter for removing debris. The annual cost of filters ranges from $12 up to $50. In a lot of cases, filters will end up costing more than your fountain after a single year.