2025/08/03 My Cat Refused to Drink Water – Here’s How a Pet Water Fountain Changed Everything

Last week, I caught my cat, Momo, lapping water from the bathroom faucet again. Her little paws were all wet, and there was a puddle on the tile—plus, I’d just cleaned that sink! I sighed, remembering the vet’s warning: indoor cats need more water to avoid kidney issues. But Momo? She’d turn up her nose at the bowl I refilled daily, preferring risky sips from cups left on the table or even the toilet (yuck). That’s when I started researching solutions, and eventually, a pet water fountain entered our lives.

Let me paint you a picture of our pre-fountain struggles. First, the stagnant bowl problem. I’d wash Momo’s water bowl every morning, but by noon, there’d be dust floating in it—thanks to her habit of flicking kibble into the water with her paw. By evening, it smelled slightly off, and she’d sniff it once before walking away. My “solution”? Refilling it three times a day. But who has time for that? On busy workdays, I’d come home to find her dehydration-induced zoomies, which always meant a knocked-over plant or two.

Then there was the location battle. Cats are weird, right? Momo hated having her water near her food—vets say that’s instinctual for felines—but our tiny apartment limited options. I tried putting the bowl in the bedroom, but she’d knock it over while chasing imaginary bugs. The bathroom worked until she discovered the faucet. I even bought a “cat-friendly” ceramic bowl with a cute fish design. Spoiler: She used it as a toy, batting it across the floor until it chipped. $25 down the drain, and she still wouldn’t drink.

When I finally caved and ordered a pet water fountain, I wasn’t expecting miracles. I’d tried a cheap plastic one years ago that broke after a month, so my expectations were low. But this new one? Total game-changer, and not for the reasons I thought.

First surprise: Momo took to it immediately. The old fountain had a loud motor that scared her, but this one’s whisper-quiet. I set it up by the window (her favorite sunbathing spot), and within 10 minutes, she was leaning in to lap at the flowing water. Now she drinks while watching birds—who knew hydration could be entertainment? I even caught her napping next to it once, which is huge for a cat who usually avoids anything new for weeks.

Second, it’s way less work than I feared. The cheap fountain required daily disassembly to clean, which got tedious fast. This one? The main basin pops out in two seconds, and the filter is easy to swap. I still rinse it weekly, but honestly? It stays cleaner than the bowl ever did. The flowing water prevents that gross film from forming, so I don’t panic if I forget a day.

But let’s be real—nothing’s perfect. The first week, I noticed the water level drops faster than a bowl, so I had to refill it every other day instead of every three. Not a big deal, but worth mentioning. Also, the LED light that indicates low water? It’s really bright. I had to cover it with a piece of tape because it was lighting up the whole room at night. My friend who has the same model? She says her dog knocked it over once, but since mine’s a cat, that hasn’t been an issue.

What truly sold me, though, are the smart features I didn’t know I needed. The app connectivity, for starters. I travel for work occasionally, and before, I’d beg neighbors to check on Momo’s water. Now, the app sends me a notification when it’s running low. Last month, I was stuck in a meeting and saw the alert—so I texted my roommate to refill it. Crisis averted, and Momo stayed hydrated. It connects via Bluetooth, which is finicky sometimes (you have to be close by), but 90% of the time, it works like a charm.

Then there’s the remote control, which sounds extra but has saved me more than once. Momo gets weird about drinking when I’m away—vet says it’s separation anxiety. With the app, I can trigger a gentle water flow from my office, which makes her curious enough to take a sip. It’s like a little “I’m thinking of you” from afar. Plus, if I have other PETKIT devices (my friend swears by their feeder), they all connect. The 8-meter range is limiting, but since my apartment’s small, it’s never been a problem.

Let me break down the differences between my old setup and the pet water fountain, because numbers (even messy ones) don’t lie:

Aspect	Old Water Bowl	Pet Water Fountain
Refills per week	10+ (seriously)	3-4
Momo’s daily sips	2-3 (I counted)	8-10 (way better!)
Cleaning time	5 mins/day	10 mins/week
Spills/accidents	2-3/week	0 (knock on wood)

Don’t get me wrong—I was skeptical. Spending money on another pet gadget felt indulgent, especially after the ceramic bowl fiasco. But watching Momo drink happily, knowing she’s getting the water she needs? Priceless. And honestly, it’s made my life easier too. No more rushing home to refill bowls or cleaning up faucet puddles.

If you’re dealing with a finicky drinker like Momo, or if you’re just tired of the constant water bowl drama, do yourself a favor. This pet water fountain isn’t a magic cure, but it’s come pretty close for us.

Curious to try it? I ordered mine through their Shopify store, and it arrived in three days with free shipping. Here’s the link—your cat might thank you.