Should I purchase a water fountain for my cat?

Great question, and something I would consider when you find yourself unable to brush your teeth alone in the bathroom, or your cat constantly occupies the kitchen sink.

Water is a vital nutrient for cats. Their evolutionary history, shaped by desert environments, greatly influences their drinking habits. Cats are very skilled at managing their water consumption. In the wild, most of their water requirements come from the prey they eat (Zoran, 2002). In our homes, we often wonder what the best way is to meet their intake needs, what type of water bowl to choose, or which water fountain is the best. 

Cats differ from dogs in how they metabolize water intake and regulate water output (Anderson, 1982). As much as we love both animals and share our homes with them, this is an essential factor to consider as a cat owner.  A cat’s ability to regulate water intake and urine output is a biological adaptation inherited from their ancestors. Felines are equipped to survive in environments with little to no access to fresh water. Cats have highly efficient kidneys that produce concentrated urine and typically have a lower motivation to drink compared to dogs. Though their ability to concentrate urine is high, it is not exceptional (Anderson, 1982).

As mentioned, cats are physiologically well-equipped to regulate their water intake and output. A cat’s primary sources for hydration are food and water, and we consider their hydration status as the baseline. Hydration status is defined as the amount of water contained within the body (Lunn et al., 2012). The hydration status of a human or animal is not static; it is fluid and changes constantly through intake of food/water and through the output of urine, feces, or sweat. Multiple studies have been conducted to evaluate whether cats fed dry food drink more water than those fed wet food. To this day, there is no conclusive evidence that cats fed wet food have better hydration status than those fed dry food, even when they drink additional water from a bowl or fountain.

Only you know if your cat prefers to drink from a bowl, a fountain, or your sink. One study showed that individual cats prefer drinking from running water over drinking from a bowl (Pachel & Neilson, 2010). However, you know your cat best and are familiar with your house panther's specific preferences. If your cat is constantly sitting on your bathroom sink, it is likely an indication that she is not happy with the water source you provide. One topic often comes up in my discussions with cat parents: If I purchase a water fountain, what material is best? Plastic, stainless steel, ceramic, or glass.

Here are the main reasons why stainless steel, ceramic, or glass are better options for your cat’s water fountain compared to plastic:

1.     Bacteria resistance

Compared to plastic, stainless steel has a non-porous surface that resists scratches and dents better. This surface is less likely to support biofilm, which can cause mold and bacterial growth over time. Cleaning your fountain regularly is recommended, but the frequency varies depending on the water used and how many cats drink from it. 

2.     Longevity and sustainability

Over time, plastic typically degrades and softens, making it more vulnerable to scratches and cracks. Once the surface begins degrading, it becomes brittle and usually cracks. This means a plastic lid is more likely to be replaced frequently, increasing our landfill waste. Stainless steel, glass, or ceramic are more sustainable and less likely to degrade over a short period.

3.     Plastic and BPA

Stainless steel is non-toxic and does not leach harmful chemicals into the water over time. Many cheap plastics are known to release toxic chemicals, which can affect the water quality and taste of the water you provide to your cats.

4.     Ease of cleaning

Stainless steel is dishwasher safe, and a stainless-steel lid can be washed in the dishwasher without bending or losing its shape. Ceramic or glass options are heavier but also dishwasher-safe and easy to rinse and clean.

5.     Cat’s chin acne

While cat care experts suggest that plastic bowls are a common trigger for feline chin acne, no scientific research has proven a direct link between kitty acne and plastic bowls. The idea is that the porous, easily scratched surface of plastic collects a film of bacteria and food residues. This bacterial buildup is then transferred to the cat's chin when it drinks, leading to inflammation, clogged follicles, and acne breakouts. It makes sense in theory, though the connection has yet to be proven scientifically.

Monitoring your cat's hydration is essential. Besides tracking their drinking habits, observing their output provides valuable information. We like to see urine clumps about the size of a walnut or egg in the litter box. If the clumps are cherry-sized, it may indicate your cat is straining to urinate. If the clumps are the size of an orange, it could suggest your cat is drinking more than necessary. In either case, contact your veterinarian for a checkup. 

This loss of information is another reason I do not recommend litter robots: we gain a lot of insight into our cats’ health from the litter box!

However, the pros and cons of litter robots deserve their own article.

Anderson, R. S. (1982). Water balance in the dog and cat. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 23(9), 588–598. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1982.tb02519.x

Lunn, K. F., Johnson, A. S., & James, K. M. (2012). Fluid Therapy. In The Cat (pp. 52–89). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-4377-0660-4.00005-3

Pachel, C., & Neilson, J. (2010). Comparison of feline water consumption between still and flowing water sources: A pilot study. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 5(3), 130–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2010.01.001

Zoran, D. L. (2002). The carnivore connection to nutrition in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 221(11), 1559–1567. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.221.1559