Cats and dogs drink more from moving water. Consumer Reports tested pet fountains on noise, ease of assembly, and pet appeal to find the best ones
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Pet water fountains circulate and filter water continuously, making drinking more appealing for cats and dogs. That constant movement encourages pets to drink more often, which supports kidney health and reduces the risk of urinary problems.
Consumer Reports evaluated ceramic, stainless steel, and plastic models on noise level, ease of assembly, and filtration to find the ones best suited for daily use.
Credit: Amazon
The PetSafe Creekside was the top pick among the five models Consumer Reports evaluated, largely because the motor and water sounds are barely perceptible during use. Dogs were drawn to it immediately upon setup, and the ceramic construction makes it scratch-resistant and dishwasher-safe. Two filters keep water clean and debris-free, one carbon and one foam, with changes required one to two times a month. At $47.69, it holds 60 ounces and its nine-part assembly is straightforward enough to complete without consulting the manual.
Credit: Petlibro
The Petlibro's companion app tracks daily water intake and sends low-water alerts, and Consumer Reports found it genuinely useful for confirming whether a cat was drinking at all. The fountain holds 84.5 ounces and runs on a magnetic docking base with no power cord attached to the pump directly. At $83.99 it carries a price above any other pick in this group, and none of its parts are dishwasher-safe. CR also noted the app reports only a cumulative daily total, making it hard for households with multiple pets to track individual intake.
Credit: Petcube
The Petcube's design skews toward smaller pets, and Consumer Reports recommended it on that basis. A 57-ounce tank and a narrower basin suited cats well but proved too tight for a large Labradoodle to drink from comfortably. The fountain runs cordlessly off a rechargeable battery CR found lasting beyond seven days, and a UV-C light purifies the water to reduce bacterial growth. At $69.99 for the stainless steel version (ceramic runs $20 more), the basin is dishwasher-safe though the base requires hand-washing, and CR rated its noise output lower than any other model in the evaluation.
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The KittySpout Wireless 2.0 holds 108 ounces, more water than any other pick in the group, and Consumer Reports found cats responded enthusiastically to its faucet-style spout from the first day. A built-in flow selector lets owners toggle between constant streaming, motion-sensor activation, or a timed pulsing mode. At $64.95, it's dishwasher-safe and arrives with a cleaning brush for the pump interior. CR noted the basin is sized for cats and midsized dogs, though a large Labradoodle in the evaluation declined to use it.
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At $27.99 the Veken is Consumer Reports' budget pick. CR noted that assembly was so intuitive that no instructions were necessary, with five main parts that clicked together without confusion. The BPA-free plastic fountain holds 67 ounces and offers two flow modes, a flower-style spout for a dramatic effect or a gentler bubbling style. CR found all test animals drank from it without hesitation, though it produced more noise than any other model in the evaluation. Replacement filters run $8.99 for a four-pack, and CR confirmed the parts held up through a dishwasher cycle on the top rack despite no explicit manufacturer guidance.
