Getting your cat to drink enough water is a tough task. We can place bowls of clean water throughout the house only to see our cats at the faucet trying to get a drink. Why do cats do this? While you may want to chalk it up to your cat being weird, that’s not the case. All cats like fresh water. Some want running water. To answer the demand from cats everywhere, kitty water fountains were created. Like with most products we buy, not every cat water fountain is made the same. For cleanliness and less bacteria, many pet owners prefer fountains made from stainless steel. These sleek fountains look great around the house and give your kitty the proper hydration it needs. In this review, we’re going to take a look at the best stainless steel cat water fountains out there to make your life easier.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall
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Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain |
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Budget Buy
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Petlibro Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain |
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Pioneer Pet Big Max Cat Water Fountain |
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Drinkwell Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain |
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Polame Cat Water Fountain |
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The 6 Best Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountains
1. Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain– Best Overall
| Capacity: | 68 ounces |
| Filter Type: | Coconut shell, activated carbon, and ion exchange |
| Weight: | 0.8 kg |
Our choice for the overall best stainless steel cat water fountain is the Hepper Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain. This fountain is ideal for intriguing your cat to drink. You’ll also find that it is easy to clean with parts being dishwasher safe. The filtration system is top-notch using a coconut shell, activated carbon, and ion exchange filter. This system filters away chlorine, hair, and heavy metals to provide your cats with tasty water throughout the day. You’ll even love the attractive appearance that makes this fountain perfect for any home’s décor.
Replacement filters for the Hepper water fountain can be bought through Hepper or on their Amazon store. The only thing that may not be for everyone is that this machine does need to be plugged in, so it must be placed near a power source. If your current cat-watering environment does not allow for that, you may need to change things up.
All in all, we think this is the best stainless steel cat water fountain out there and we know your cat will love it too.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
2. Petlibro Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain – Budget Buy
| Capacity: | 2 Liters |
| Filter Type: | Carbon |
| Weight: | 1.6 pounds |
Our budget buy choice is the Petlibro Stainless Steel Dog & Cat Water Fountain. Not only is this fountain affordable for all cat parents but it’s also quiet. All you’ll hear when this fountain is running is the bubbling of your pet’s fresh, clean water. Other great aspects of this fountain include easy assembly and disassembly, all parts are dishwasher safe, and the carbon filter system keeps water clean all day long.
The only issue we find with the Petlibro water fountain is the covered bowl. This system needs so much water inside to filter and run water. Unfortunately, you must take the top off to see the water level. If you have multiple pets using this fountain, checking water levels throughout the day is a must.
3. Pioneer Pet Cat Water Fountain – Premium Choice
| Capacity: | 128 ounce |
| Filter Type: | Charcoal |
| Weight: | 1.25 pounds |
The Pioneer Pet Big Max is a great choice for homes with both cats and dogs. The 128-ounce capacity allows fresh water to flow all day. This fountain also uses a charcoal filter to help rid tap water of its unappetizing taste. Like most stainless steel fountains, this one can be washed in the dishwasher. It’s recommended to do so once a week and to clean the pump at least once per month.
Unfortunately, the pump for this water fountain isn’t the best. It can be a bit loud and many users have needed to change the pump within only a few months. Considering the price tag, you would expect the pump to last a bit longer.
4. Drinkwell Stainless Steel Pet Water Fountain – Best for Kittens
| Capacity: | 128 ounces |
| Filter Type: | Dual carbon |
| Weight: | 4.28 pounds |
Our choice for the best stainless steel cat water fountain for kittens is the Drinkwell 360. This fountain is great for homes with multiple cats or other pets thanks to its 128-ounce capacity. You’ll also find that this sturdy fountain features an adjustable flow and dual carbon filtration to keep water fresh. The water is free-falling which makes it perfect for cats. You’ll also be pleased to know that each part of this fountain, minus the pump, can be tossed in the dishwasher when it needs to be washed. There are also no concerns with wet floors causing this fountain to slip or slide due to the attached rubber feet.
The biggest downside we found with the Drinkwell 360 pet water fountain is the sound. This device can be a bit loud, which can be off-putting to some cats. You’ll also find that assembly and disassembly are tedious considering how often they must be done.
5. Polame Cat Water Fountain
| Capacity: | 2.5 Liters |
| Filter Type: | Carbon |
| Weight: | 1.87 pounds |
The Polame Cat Fountain is a great way to offer your kitties fresh, filtered water. This fountain uses a triple filter that not only cleans the water but also refreshes and sifts it to ensure your cats are drinking only the best. You’ll also love the quiet operation this fountain offers. Your cats will as well. When operating this machine, you will also have three settings to choose from so you can use the one your cat loves the most.
The only real issue we found with the Polame Cat Water Fountain is the price. Considering there are other fountains on the market that cost less, it will be up to you whether you want to spend more money on this one.
6. iPettie Cat Water Fountain
| Capacity: | 2.5 Liters |
| Filter Type: | Cotton layers, coconut shell-activated carbons, and ion resins |
| Weight: | 1.83 pounds |
The iPettie cat water fountain offers solid performance for great value. You’ll find a 4-stage filtration system in this fountain used to clean water and keep it free of debris. The pump for this fountain is quiet, making it usable at all hours. You’ll also love the cute flower design and LED lights that help you and your kitty find the fountain in the dark. Like most stainless steel water fountains, this one is easy to put together and is dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleaning.
While this is a solid fountain, there are still a few issues. Users have reported issues with the pump failing after only a few months of use. Leaks and water on the floor are other issues that seem to happen often.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Stainless Steel Water Fountain For Your Cat
When choosing a stainless steel water fountain for your cat it’s important to not only get your money’s worth but to ensure your cat is getting proper hydration, clean water, and improved digestion. Unfortunately, finding a fountain that provides all this isn’t easy which is why we did all the footwork for you. Let’s take a look at a few of the criteria we used when selecting our favorite fountains to help you choose the best one for you and your kitty.
Capacity and Size
Lots of times there are multiple pets in a home. Whether you’re all about cats or have doggos at home as well, we all know pets will use any water source around. If you have multiple animals in the house a fountain that holds a lot of water is a necessity. Then again, if you only have one cat, an oversized fountain isn’t needed. If you take a look at the fountains we’ve reviewed you’ll see that we chose fountains of various sizes and capacities to help you suit your needs.
Easy to Clean
The last thing any of us needs is more difficulty in our lives. That’s why having a stainless steel cat water fountain that’s easy to clean is essential. You’ll need to clean your fountain at least once per week. This means taking it apart. Unfortunately, not every water fountain on our list is the easiest when it comes to this. If we noticed a particular fountain was stressful when it comes to dismantling and cleaning, we made sure to let you know.
Noise
Is your cat skittish about new things? Do strange noises make them nervous? This can be an issue many owners face when it comes to bringing a water fountain into the house. In our reviews, we mention fountains that are designed to be quiet and those that are a bit on the loud side. You know your cat better than anyone. If you feel your kitty will be scared of a louder fountain, make sure to choose one that we’ve mentioned as being quieter.
Price
In our reviews we don’t mention price, however, we do tell you if we feel something is over the top when it comes to expense. We understand what it’s like to live on a budget. You want the best for your kitty but can’t spend a fortune. We even share a best-value pick to make life easier for everyone.
Features
Features are an important part of any item you buy. The same applies when it comes to stainless steel cat water fountains. When it comes to features, however, one of the most important is filtration. We made sure to mention what kind of filter each fountain uses. This will help you choose one that will offer your kitty the freshest water possible. We also shared other features that we felt stood out and would be useful for consumers.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to give your cat great hydration by picking up a stainless steel cat water fountain, we’ve got you covered. Our best overall pick is the Hepper water fountain. This fountain offers great filtration to keep your cat’s water clean, has an attractive appearance, and is easy to clean. If you need a fountain on a budget, you could consider the Petlibro water fountain. This fountain offers easy cleaning and quiet operation. Whichever one you choose, we hope our reviews make your decision easier.
Featured Image Credit: Vershinin89, Shutterstock
