Water fountains can deliver a lot of benefits for cats and dogs. For starters, they provide fresher, cleaner water by “continuously filtering the water, reducing impurities and preventing bacterial growth”. This is especially important because “water bowls that sit out all day can often be breeding grounds for bacteria”.
Most fountains also cool the water, which tends to be more appealing to pets, similar to people! Keeping a water fountain in your home is especially crucial if you own a cat, according to both veterinarians. “For cats especially, their evolutionary heritage often saw them seek out fresh water sources over stagnant ponds for their safety and wellbeing,” Bernal explained. Using a water fountain “mimic[s] that preference”, according to Bernal, and encourages healthy water intake.
Understanding cats’ evolutionary preference for running water is also important because they are more susceptible to kidney disease, Fox noted, which proper hydration can help. Besides helping with kidney disease, water fountains can benefit pets with medical issues like diabetes, frequent urinary infections and blockages, endocrine diseases and more, according to both veterinarians.
A water fountain is less likely to run dry than a bowl, especially in multi-pet households.
