Ensuring your cats have access to fresh water is vital for their overall health. Cats love the sound and feel of running water, and having a water fountain can encourage them to drink more, thus keeping your feline friend hydrated.
But instead of investing in an expensive pet store model, why not create your own? In this article, we’ll explore how to make your very own DIY water fountains for cats. These 10 projects are fun, cost-effective, and easy to make.
The 10 DIY Water Fountains for Cats
1. The Budget-Friendly Cat Fountain – Instructables
| Materials: | Pre-owned fountain, popsicle sticks, empty water bottles |
| Tools: | Hammer, hot glue gun |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This budget-friendly cat fountain uses easily accessible materials and is a cinch to make. Not only does it provide a continuous source of running water for cats, but it’s also a charming and soothing water feature for your home.
As a bonus, the entire project is light on the pocket, as the main component—the fountain—can be purchased from a thrift store or yard sale. And yet, despite its simplicity, the result is an attractive and practical solution for encouraging your cats to drink more water.
2. Efficient Water Fountain
| Materials: | Ceramic pot, pebbles, popsicle sticks, ceramic filter rings, stockings, activated carbon, filter pad |
| Tools: | Scissors, hot glue gun |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Our next entry is a minimalist, easy-to-assemble DIY project suitable even for beginners. With just a few simple items, you can create a refreshing water fountain that your feline friend is sure to love.
It’s a straightforward solution to ensure your cat stays hydrated, especially on hot summer days. Not only does it serve a practical purpose, but the running water can also provide a cooling effect, which cats find particularly enjoyable during the warmer months.
3. Aquarium-Inspired DIY Cat Fountain
| Materials: | Aquarium pump filter, oversized bowl |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
If you find it challenging to keep your cats from pestering your aquarium inhabitants, this DIY fountain offers a clever solution. The project requires a big bowl and an aquarium pump filter.
This unique fountain design draws your feline friend’s attention, providing a playful water feature that also encourages hydration. Your cats get to satisfy their curiosity for water movement, and your aquarium remains undisturbed—it’s a win-win for all the members of your household!
4. Zen-Inspired Bamboo Cat Fountain – Chirpy Cats
| Materials: | Fountain kit, large ceramic bowl, tumbled gemstones, river stones, fountain filter (optional) |
| Tools: | Craft knife, saw |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Create a peaceful, Zen-inspired water fountain with this easy DIY project. This one integrates natural elements like bamboo, tumbled gemstones, and river stones, providing not only a hydration source for your cat but also a calming aesthetic to your space.
The design ensures a gentle water trickle, creating a subtle, relaxing sound. This setup is perfect for cat owners who value functionality, aesthetics, and tranquility in one easy DIY project.
5. Bubbling Cat Water Fountain – Instructables
| Materials: | Standard air tubing, aquarium air pump, bubble stone, mixing bowl, plastic colander |
| Tools: | Utility knife (optional) |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
The Bubbling Cat Water Fountain is a unique take on the concept of a pet water fountain, designed specifically for cats that love to play with and drink from moving water. Utilizing an aquarium air pump, this DIY project creates a continuous bubble effect, mesmerizing your feline friend and providing a refreshing water source.
The project is cost-effective and takes only a few minutes to complete. The result is a fun, unique, and interactive DIY project perfect for keeping your cats entertained and hydrated.
6. Injector Pump Cat Fountain
| Materials: | Injector, pump, bowl |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
For those in search of a simple yet effective DIY solution to keep their cats hydrated, the Injector Pump Cat Fountain is an ideal choice. With just three materials required and no tools necessary, this fountain is as straightforward as they come.
Once assembled, this easy-to-create water feature will not only cater to your cat’s hydration needs but also keep them entertained and intrigued for hours on end.
7. Intermediate DIY Fountain
| Materials: | Dog bowl, cooking pot, water pump, tube |
| Tools: | Scissors or craft knife, drill, grinding bit, lighter, Dremel |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
For those willing to put in a little extra effort, the Intermediate DIY Fountain presents a fantastic, cost-effective project. This project strikes the perfect balance between complexity and manageability, making it an exciting challenge for DIY enthusiasts.
Using some common household items combined with a water pump, you will be able to create a functional and engaging fountain for your cat. This project is a testament to how a little creativity and effort can turn everyday items into an interesting and functional pet accessory.
8. Simple Rock Fountain
| Materials: | PVC piping, filtration media, water pump, stainless steel bowl, rocks, activated carbon |
| Tools: | Drill, marker, knife |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
The Simple Rock Fountain is an excellent project for those who want to provide their cat with a refreshing source of entertainment and hydration. This is an intermediate-level task, requiring a little more effort than some of the other fountains on this list, but it remains approachable even to novice DIY enthusiasts.
There are a few items needed, as well as the ability to put them all together, hence the intermediate difficulty level. The effort is worth it, though, as the end result is an effective and efficient cat fountain.
9. DIY Filtered Fountain – Instructables
| Materials: | Big stainless-steel bowl, small water filter, plastic/wood pieces |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Are you searching for an uncomplicated, budget-friendly solution to keep your cat hydrated and entertained? This DIY Filtered Fountain might be your perfect answer. This fountain is designed to offer a fun and clean source of water for your cat.
The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity. What’s more, the ease and speed of assembly make this project ideal for novice DIYers. Plus, your feline friend will definitely appreciate this fresh and fun water source.
10. PVC Water Fountain
| Materials: | PVC piping, plastic water bottle |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun (optional), saw (optional) |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
The PVC Fountain offers a fun, budget-friendly, and refreshing addition to your cat’s play zone. This project requires a bit of resourcefulness and creativity but is still relatively straightforward, even for those without extensive DIY experience.
This plan uses everyday materials like a plastic water bottle and PVC piping to create a fascinating and engaging water fountain. The instructions don’t call for tools, but you may find the project much easier to complete with the aid of a saw and hot glue. So, bear that in mind before proceeding.
Conclusion
Creating a DIY water fountain for your cats can be an enjoyable and rewarding process. Not only do these projects provide your cats with a continuous source of fresh water, but they can also serve as stimulating features in their environment, encouraging play and engagement.
From the simplest designs to more intricate ones, you can select a project that suits your skill level, budget, and the materials you have at hand. Try out one or more of these fun, cost-effective DIY cat water fountain projects today.
Read Also: Why Do Cats Like to Drink Running Water? 4 Vet Approved Reasons
Featured Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock
