There are several non-negotiable pet essentials you need if you plan on bringing a cat into your life. The first is a high-quality food to help provide the right amount of nutrition your pet needs to thrive. The second, and perhaps the most important, is a water bowl.
There are many different types of cat water bowls on the market today. Some kitties prefer to drink from a bowl of standing water, while others need to have water moving to encourage them to drink.
We have compiled a list of the ten best cat water bowls on the market today to help make the decision-making process easier on your end. Regardless of the water bowl style your kitty prefers, you’ll find a plethora of options below. Keep reading to find the right bowl for yours and your kitty’s needs.
10 Best Cat Water Bowls in 2020
1. Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer
If you’re a fix-it-and-forget-it type of pet owner, you’ll love this water dish from Petmate. Simply fill up the one-gallon water jug, and you and your pet will be set for a few days at a time.
Automatic Refill
No more listening to your kitty meow at you requesting that their water bowl be filled and that it be filled NOW. This unique dish will automatically refill itself as your pet drinks from it.
Microban Protection
This water bowl is designed to keep bacteria at bay, all thanks to its unique Microban antibacterial material. This means that you can keep this bowl inside or outside without worrying about bacteria or odors building up in the base.
Cost and Value
This bowl is very affordably priced. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of other options on our list, but it’s a perfect pick for people who want to keep it simple. We loved how easily this water bowl fits into the lifestyle of busy pet parents.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- No bacteria growth
- Travel-friendly
- Easy to refill
Cons
- Will need to replace the filter every few months
2. Veken Fountain
Remember, in the introduction, how we mentioned that some pets prefer their moving water over standing water? This fountain from Veken is made for cats who prefer the latter. It’s outfitted with a quiet pump that will keep the water moving, no matter which flows design you choose to utilize in your home.
Three Flow Options
There are there different ways you can use this fountain. This is a great selling point for this product because no two cats are the same, and it’s always nice to have options. Choose between a flower waterfall (where the water comes from the flower petals), flower bubble (where the water surface will bubble), or with the flower removed altogether (where the water surface will gently bubble).
Filtered Water
This fountain comes with a filtering system so you can ensure your pet is drinking the cleanest water possible. The triple-action filtration system is a must-have for homes with questionable water supply.
Cost and Value
We were surprised to see the price point of this fountain. Though it’s considerably more advanced than the previous product in our buying guide, it’s not that much more expensive. We loved that it offers several different ways for your pet to drink and that it comes with three filters so you’ll be set for a few months.
Pros
- Holds a lot of water (2.5 liters)
- Quiet operation
- Filters are affordable
- Great for picky drinkers
Cons
- May require a lot of cleaning
3. PetSafe Food & Water Station
While this product looks a bit like the first one in our review, there are some stark differences that set it apart.
Size Options
This water bowl comes in three different sizes – small (64 oz), medium (128 oz), or large (320 oz). If you have a multi-pet household, we recommend sizing up. Three hundred and twenty ounces is a lot of water that your pets will be able to share over a few days.
Sturdy Construction
Cats are devilish little creatures who like to wreak havoc at times. That’s why this water bowl is made of a durable BPA-free plastic material that is quite heavy once there’s liquid in it. You won’t need to worry about your cat knocking over their water and destroying your floors when you have this dish in your home.
Cost and Value
This is the most expensive product in our buying guide. Though it comes at a higher price point, it’s still worth considering given its high-quality construction and the respected brand it’s coming from.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Hygienic construction
- Easy to fill
- Matching food bowl available
Cons
- Some complaints of the bowl rusting
4. PetSafe Multi-Tier
No, you’re not having deja vu. The product we just reviewed above also comes from PetSafe. This multi-tiered option is a completely different product, however, and we felt it was important to include it in our list of best water bowls as it has a lot of unique features that make it a worthwhile investment.
Two-Tier Design
The first obvious difference between this option and the other PetSafe product is that it utilizes a two-tier design. This allows your pet to choose between the lower or upper bowl to get their drink. If your cat is senior or arthritic, they’ll love not having to bend as far to get access to their water.
Versatile
This fountain is constantly circulating water so as to prevent bacteria growth. It comes with a carbon filter to help remove any gross tastes or smells from your water, too. In addition to all that, the open bowl design ensures your cat will have access to water even if the power were to go out at home while you’re away.
Cost and Value
This fountain is one of the higher-priced options in our buying guide, but its unique design makes it a winner in our books.
Pros
- Hygienic
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Moving water encourages drinking
- Not easy to tip over
Cons
- Can be difficult to take apart for cleaning
5. Upsky Double Dish
This dual water/food dish is a great choice for anyone whose pets prefer something a little more simplistic. If your cat doesn’t like their water to be moving or coming from a flower, they might enjoy this product instead.
Premium Construction
The bowls are made from high-quality stainless steel, so you know they’re not going to breakdown or rust anytime soon. The bottom is made from resin, making them easy to clean and not susceptible to holding odors.
Easy on the Neck
The design of this pet bowl makes it easier and more comfortable for your cat to access their food and water. The bowls are raised off the ground so the neck burden they face is much less than other options on the market. This raised design helps to promote the flow of food and water to your pet’s stomach, making swallowing and digestion easier.
Cost and Value
We were quite surprised to see how affordable this pet feeding system is. In fact, this is one of the most affordable options in our buying guide.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in other colors
- No-spill design
- Nice to look at
Cons
- Can be difficult for your pet to get the last bit of scraps from the bowl
6. Kitty City Dishes
If you’re on a shoestring budget and searching for an affordable water bowl for your cat, look no further than this simple option from Kitty City. While this bowl looks about as basic as can be at first glance, it has some unique features that set it apart from any old run-of-the-mill kitchen bowl.
Pedestal Design
Sure, you could use a cereal bowl from your cupboard to offer your kitty water. But these pedestal bowls utilize a unique design that promotes a healthy eating and drinking posture for your kitty.
Whisker Friendly
Cats don’t like to have their whiskers touched. That’s why this bowl features a design that’s whisker-friendly. Your sensitive kitty won’t need to worry about their whiskers hitting the sides of their food or water bowls anymore.
Cost and Value
This is the most cost-friendly option in our buying guide. We think it’s definitely worth the price, especially considering you’re receiving a food and water bowl for the cost.
Pros
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Made from pet-safe materials
- Comfortable to eat and drink from
- Stylish design
Cons
- Bowls may be smaller than expected
7. Necoichi Raised Stress Free
Next up is another water dish option for cats that prefer their water to be standing and not moving or flowing. This cute water bowl is designed with comfort in mind, providing a design your cats can drink from without putting any strain on their necks.
Measurement Lines
This bowl features a handy measurement line to let you know how exactly how much water your pets are drinking every day. This will help you prevent dehydration in your pet, which can have dire consequences.
Pet-Safe
Thi bowl is made from non-absorbent porcelain. This material is dishwasher and microwave safe as well.
Cost and Value
This is one of the more affordable bowls in our buying guide. We loved the measurement lines and how cute the overall design is. The fact that it’s also available in other design styles like Mount Fuji or in black makes it a winner in our books.
Pros
- Spill-proof smart lip
- Two size options
- Perfect height
- Great for senior cats
Cons
- May bothersome cat’s whiskers
8. Petkit CyberTail Elevated
This beautiful and sleek design from PETKIT is a perfect addition to any modern pet owners home. Why buy your water and food bowls separate when they can come in a stunning dual design like this?
Safe Materials
These bowls are made with stainless steel, making them dishwasher safe and completely rustproof. The bowl holder is made with ABS material for stability and durability.
Whisker-Friendly Design
The design of these bowls ensures that your kitty won’t have to deal with whisker fatigue during their food and drinking time. The rounded edges of the bowls also make getting every last morsel of food a breeze.
Cost and Value
These bowls come at a very fair price, especially considering you’re receiving an entire feeding system for the cost. We loved the contemporary design of these bowls and how they’ll keep excess food and water off your floors.
Pros
- Easy to wash
- Helps with digestion
- Non-leaching materials
- Stable
Cons
- Cannot buy replacement bowls
9. K&H Pet Products Coolin
At first glance, this next product looks like any plain ol’ water dish you can buy at the closest dollar store. Upon further inspection, however, you’ll see this product is another but basic.
Cold Water
Water always seems to be more thirst-quenching when it’s served cold. That’s why K&H Pet Products have created this unique bowl that allows you to provide cold water for your pets. It features an inner gel core and special insulation that keeps water cold for up to 15 hours of your day.
Easy to Use
Simply fill the inner core of the bowl to activate the cooling crystals. Freeze the core overnight and then replace back into the bowl for hours upon hours of cold water for your cat.
Cost and Value
This bowl is pricier than most of the other options here. If your cat prefers their water to be cold, however, we think the extra cost will definitely be worth it, especially if it encourages them to drink more throughout the day.
Pros
- BPA-free materials
- Great for inside or outside
- Easy to use
- No electricity necessary
Cons
- Bowl does sweat so ensure you’re using protect to save your flooring
10. Dr. Catsby Metal Dish
Last but not least is this stainless steel and whisker-friendly water bowl from Dr. Catsby. This product provides a safer way for your cat to enjoy their daily dose of water rather than serving them water in bowls that can contain dangerous plastic materials.
High-Quality Construction
Stainless steel is always the way to go when it comes to pet products like these. Kitchen-grade steel is both durable in design and easy to clean. You won’t need to worry about odors leaching into the materials, either.
Shallow Design
The shallow design of this bowl ensures your cat’s whiskers won’t be bothered as they’re taking a drink. Since it doesn’t hold much water, you also won’t need to worry about them making a mess of your floors while you’re away at work or gone for the day.
Cost and Value
While this product might seem overpriced for what it is, we think it’s worth the investment. Plus, the manufacturer provides a 100% money-back guarantee so you have nothing to lose if you or your cat don’t wind up loving this product.
Pros
- The wide opening is whisker-friendly
- High-quality materials
- Dishwasher safe
- Small size
Cons
- Doesn’t hold much water
Our Conclusion
Providing water is a non-negotiable part of being a pet owner. How you deliver that water is completely up to you and your cats to decide. You may need to trial a few different bowl designs until you find something that your pet adores, but we think any of these ten products above are going to be a great pick for the both of you!