I thought it was just another cat quirk when Mr Boots, my stylish but strangely cautious ragdoll, stopped drinking from his bowl. But the morning I found him “fixing” the sink with his paws, I realized something was up.
I called my vet, and one obvious piece of advice kept coming up: cats like running water. Dr. Marty Becker even says that many pet owners "don't give their cats water in a way that's good for them." A pet fountain can help with that. (and searched for everything on Google in the two minutes before I felt guilty. It turns out that cats don't always drink enough on their own. According to Cornell's Feline Health Center, a good rule of thumb is that a cat needs around 4 ounces of water for every 5 pounds of body weight each day. If they eat dry food, they will likely need more.)
So I ended up grabbing a stainless-steel fountain from Smile-Mart’s top-selling aisle (shameless plug, but it really earns its spot). The first week was hilarious—Boots circled it like he was studying alien technology. Then one day, something just clicked. He started drinking from it like it was his own personal spa. A few days later, he had more pep, his coat looked glossier, and he completely forgot about the sink.
Here’s the quick, no-nonsense version—because the story is cute, but the facts are what actually help:
Why cat fountains make a difference
Cats are wired to trust moving water. In the wild, they’d drink from streams, not still puddles. Running water looks cleaner, tastes fresher, and simply feels safer to them. That’s why so many vets and pet experts suggest switching to a fountain if your cat isn’t drinking enough.
The science behind it
Studies have found that cats tend to drink more when their water is constantly circulating or filtered. Better hydration means better support for their urinary tract and kidneys. If you’re trying to prevent future health issues, this is one of the easiest changes you can make.
Simple tips to help your cat actually use the fountain:
• Set it up in a quiet spot, not right next to their food or litter — cats appreciate a little personal space.
• Rinse the bowl and swap the filter regularly. If the water station looks sketchy, your cat won’t touch it.
• Test out different flow settings or designs. Some cats want a soft trickle, others prefer a mini waterfall experience.
When to call the vet
If you notice your cat drinking way more or far less than usual, it can be a sign that something’s off, like kidney issues or diabetes. A steady boost in hydration is healthy—but any sudden shift is worth a vet check.
Simple Ways to Boost Your Cat’s Water Intake Today
• Replace one of your cat’s regular bowls with a flowing-water fountain.
• Serve wet food a few times a week—it’s an easy way to up hydration.
• Put an extra water station on another floor or room—cats are more likely to drink if it’s convenient.
Closing thought: Helping your cat drink more isn’t about pestering them—it’s about setting up their environment so the healthy choice is effortless. Mr. Boots still judges everything I do, but at least now he does it fully hydrated. If you’re looking for a dependable, pet-safe fountain that actually gets cats to sip, our top-selling model comes highly recommended—hundreds of happy whiskers agree.
Want me to craft a short, catchy intro for this fountain? 😺