Getting Your Cat to Drink More Water: Fountains & Hydration

Cats are descended from desert-dwelling wildcats, and it shows: they have a naturally low thirst drive and evolved to get most of their water from prey, not from a bowl. In a modern home eating dry food, that leaves a lot of cats quietly under-hydrated — which, over time, puts real strain on the kidneys and urinary tract, two of the most common areas of trouble in pet cats. The good news is that a few small, cheap changes can make a genuine difference to how much your cat drinks.

Why hydration matters so much for cats

Chronic under-hydration is linked to some of the conditions cats most often suffer from: chronic kidney disease (very common in older cats), urinary crystals and cystitis (FLUTD), and painful, dangerous blockages — especially in male cats. Getting more water into your cat is one of the simplest forms of preventive care there is. You won't see the benefit day to day, but their kidneys and bladder will.

Why running water wins

In the wild, still water can be stagnant and risky, so cats instinctively prefer a fresh, moving source. That's exactly why a cat water fountain so often succeeds where a bowl fails — the gentle flow is more appealing, it keeps the water aerated and fresher-tasting, and many cats will drink noticeably more from one. Fountains also filter out hair and debris, so the water stays cleaner between changes.

Setting it up for success

Where and how you place water matters as much as what you put it in:

• Keep water away from food and the litter tray. Cats instinctively avoid drinking right next to their dinner or their toilet — a hangover from staying clean and avoiding contamination in the wild. This one change alone gets some cats drinking more.
• Offer several water stations around the home, on different levels, so there's always a drink nearby.
• Use wide, shallow bowls elsewhere so sensitive whiskers don't brush the sides ("whisker fatigue" puts some cats off).
• Choose the right material. Stainless steel and ceramic are more hygienic than plastic and kinder to chin-prone cats (plastic can harbour bacteria that cause feline acne). Our circulating fountain strips down easily for cleaning.

Keep it clean and quiet

A neglected fountain does more harm than good. Change the filter on the recommended schedule, and rinse the pump every week or two to keep the flow smooth and the water clear. A clean fountain runs near-silently; gurgling almost always means the water level is low or the pump needs a rinse. Top it up regularly and keep it spotless and your cat will use it far more.

Other easy ways to boost water intake

• Feed wet food, which is around 70–80% water — the single most effective way to increase a cat's total water intake.
• Add a little extra water (or a splash of plain, unsalted meat broth) to meals.
• Try a couple of different bowl shapes and locations to find what your cat prefers.

When a change in drinking is a red flag

This is important. While *encouraging* hydration is good, a sudden, marked increase in how much your cat drinks is a warning sign — it can point to kidney disease, diabetes or thyroid problems. And straining in the litter tray, crying when toileting, or producing little or no urine is an emergency, especially in male cats, as it can mean a blockage. A fountain supports healthy hydration; it never replaces a vet visit when something changes.

Frequently asked questions

Are cat water fountains noisy? Most run very quietly. Keep the reservoir topped up and the pump clean and you'll barely hear it — gurgling is a sign of low water or a pump that needs rinsing.

How often should I change the filter? Typically every 2–4 weeks depending on use and how many cats drink from it; rinse the pump weekly. Check the product page for specifics.

My cat still prefers the tap — is that bad? It just means they like running water, which is exactly what a fountain provides more conveniently (and more hygienically) than a dripping tap.

Can dogs use a cat fountain? Smaller fountains suit cats and small dogs; larger dogs need a higher-capacity model.

Plastic, ceramic or steel? Stainless steel or ceramic — easier to keep hygienic and kinder to chin-prone cats than plastic.

A quick note: Everypaw is a pet-supplies shop, not a veterinary service. A sudden change in thirst or any straining to urinate needs a vet — promptly, and urgently for male cats. The PDSA and Blue Cross offer free UK advice.

See cat water fountains and the bowls & feeders range.