How to Get Your Cat to Use a Water Fountain (Step by Step)

By the PETME2 Team · Updated October 2026 · General information, not veterinary advice

You bought a water fountain, set it up, and your cat walked right past it. Or sniffed it, jumped back, and went to drink from the sink. That is very normal. Cats are careful with anything new, especially something that hums and moves. The good news is that most cats can learn to use a fountain with a little patience. This step-by-step guide shows you how to get your cat to drink from a fountain, and what to do if your cat keeps knocking it over.

Why won't my cat drink from the fountain?

Most cats avoid a new fountain because it is new, makes a sound, smells different, or sits in a spot they do not like. These are all fixable. It rarely means your cat will never use it.

Common reasons include:

• It is new. Cats like routine. A new object in their space can feel like a threat for a few days.
• The sound. A humming pump or splashing water can be scary at first, especially for shy cats.
• The smell. New plastic, or soap left from washing, can put a cat off.
• The location. Too close to food, too close to the litter box, or in a busy hallway.
• The flow. Some cats like a bubbling top, others prefer still water at the edge. A strong flow can be too much.
• Whiskers. Some cats dislike their whiskers touching the sides of a narrow drinking area.

How to get your cat to drink from a fountain: step by step

The best way to get a cat to use a water fountain is slowly. Make the fountain easy, quiet, and familiar, and keep the old bowl available while your cat gets used to it.

1. Wash and rinse well before first use. Wash the parts with warm water and a mild, unscented soap, then rinse very well. A soap smell is a common reason cats avoid a new fountain. Fit the filter as the manual says.
2. Let your cat explore it turned off. For the first day, you can set up the fountain with water but with the pump off, so it is just a new bowl. Let your cat sniff it on their own time.
3. Put it where your cat already drinks. Place the fountain in or near your cat's current water spot. Familiar places feel safe.
4. Keep the old bowl right next to it. Do not take away the old bowl yet. Your cat should always have water they are comfortable with.
5. Turn it on with a gentle flow. Fill the fountain to the max line so the pump runs quietly. If your fountain has flow settings, start low.
6. Show it, do not force it. Dip your finger in the flowing water and let your cat sniff it, or gently tap the water to draw their eye. Never pick your cat up and put them at the fountain.
7. Reward calm interest. Praise your cat or give a treat nearby when they sniff or drink. Keep treats away from the water itself.
8. Move the old bowl away slowly. Once your cat drinks from the fountain on their own, move the old bowl a little farther away every few days. After a week or two, you can keep it in another room or put it away.
9. Keep it clean and full. Top up daily and clean the fountain about once a week, so the water stays fresh and the pump stays quiet.

Some cats take to a fountain the first day. Others need a few weeks. A few never prefer it over a bowl, and that is fine too. The goal is a cat that drinks well, not a cat that uses one specific gadget. If you are curious why so many cats like moving water, read why do cats like running water.

Where should you put a cat water fountain?

Put a cat water fountain in a quiet, low-traffic spot, a few feet away from the food bowl, and well away from the litter box. Near a wall outlet, on a hard floor or mat, and out of direct sun.

Many cats like to see the room while they drink, so they feel safe. A spot where they can drink with their back to a wall often works better than a tight space where they cannot see who is coming. In a home with more than one cat, a second water spot helps, so no cat has to share at a busy time.

Is my cat scared of the fountain noise?

Some cats are put off by fountain noise, especially at first. Most pumps are quiet when the water is full and the pump is clean. A louder hum or a gurgle is often a sign the water is low or the pump needs a clean.

How to keep the fountain quiet:

• Keep the water at the max line. Pumps often get louder when the water is low. Top up daily.
• Clean the pump. Hair and slime can build up in the pump and make it rattle. Our guide on how often to clean a cat water fountain shows how.
• Set it on a mat or flat surface. A soft mat can reduce vibration noise on hard floors.
• Use a gentle flow. Less splash means less sound.

A low-water light helps too. The PETME2 2L quiet fountain has a low-water light, so you know when to top up before the pump gets loud.

Why does my cat keep knocking over his water fountain?

Cats usually knock over a water fountain because they are playing with the moving water, the fountain is light or tippy, or it sits in a spot they bump into. Sometimes a cat is also asking for attention or does not like where the fountain is.

Here is how to stop it:

1. Choose a sturdy, wide fountain. A wider base is harder to tip. A larger fountain filled with water is also heavier and more stable.
2. Use a non-slip mat. A rubber-backed mat stops the fountain from sliding when your cat paws at it.
3. Place it against a wall or in a corner. Fewer open sides means fewer ways to push it.
4. Move it out of play zones. If your cat zooms through a hallway, the fountain should not be in that path.
5. Offer more play time. Some cats play with water because they are bored. Two short play sessions a day with a wand toy can help.
6. Check the water level. Some cats paw at a fountain when the water is low or the flow changes. Keep it full.
7. Try a gentler flow. A strong splash can invite paws. A softer flow may be less of a toy.

If your cat paws at the water before drinking, that can be normal too. Some cats test water depth or movement with a paw first. As long as the fountain stays upright and the water stays clean, it is not a problem.

Keep the fountain clean so your cat keeps using it

A dirty fountain is one of the most common reasons a cat stops using it. Cats have a strong sense of smell, and slime, hair, and old water can put them off.

A simple routine:

• Daily: top up with fresh water and check for hair or food bits.
• About once a week: empty, take apart, wash with warm water and mild unscented soap, rinse well, and clean the pump.
• Filter: change it as the maker suggests, often every few weeks. See our cat water fountain filter guide.

All PETME2 fountains come apart for cleaning, with quiet pumps and filters. If you are choosing a material, our comparison of stainless steel vs plastic vs ceramic fountains explains the differences.

What if my cat still won't use the fountain?

If your cat still will not use the fountain after a few weeks, try one change at a time: a new spot, a lower flow, the pump off, or a different style. And keep a clean bowl available. Some cats simply prefer a bowl, and that is okay.

• Try a fountain with a wide, flat drinking area if your cat seems bothered by its whiskers.
• Try a fountain with a stainless steel drinking surface if you think your cat dislikes plastic.
• Offer water in a couple of places, so your cat can choose.

A health note: a fountain is a tool for fresh water, not a medical treatment. If your cat suddenly drinks much less or much more than usual, pees more or less, or stops eating, call your vet. A change in thirst is a reason for a check-up, not just a fountain problem. Read more in how much water should a cat drink a day.

See every size and style in our water fountain collection.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my cat to drink from a water fountain?

Place the fountain in a quiet spot where your cat already drinks, keep the old bowl next to it, and start with a gentle flow. Rinse new parts well so there is no soap smell, and keep the water full so the pump stays quiet. Be patient, as many cats need a few days to a few weeks.

How long does it take a cat to get used to a water fountain?

Some cats use a new fountain the first day, while others take a few weeks. Shy or older cats often need more time. Keep the old bowl nearby until your cat drinks from the fountain on its own.

Should I keep the water bowl when I get a fountain?

Yes, keep the old water bowl next to the fountain at first. Your cat should always have water it feels comfortable with. Once your cat uses the fountain regularly, move the bowl away slowly over a week or two.

Why is my cat scared of the water fountain?

Cats are often wary of new objects, and a fountain also hums and moves. Try letting your cat explore it with the pump off first, then turn it on at a gentle flow. Keep the water full, since a low water level can make the pump louder.

Where is the best place to put a cat water fountain?

Put the fountain in a quiet, low-traffic spot, a few feet from the food bowl and far from the litter box. Place it near an outlet, out of direct sun, on a non-slip mat. Many cats like to drink where they can see the room.

Why does my cat keep knocking over his water fountain?

Cats often knock over fountains because they are playing with the moving water, the fountain is light or tippy, or it sits in a busy path. Use a wide, sturdy fountain on a non-slip mat, place it against a wall, and offer more play time. Keeping the water full can also help.

Why does my cat put its paw in the water fountain?

Some cats touch moving water with a paw to test it or simply to play. It is common and usually harmless. If the water gets dirty quickly, clean the fountain more often and try a gentler flow.

Should a cat water fountain be away from food?

Yes, many cats prefer water a few feet away from their food. Food bits can also fall into the water and make it dirty faster. A separate spot often helps cats drink more readily.

Why did my cat stop using the water fountain?

A cat may stop using a fountain if it is dirty, the filter needs changing, the pump got loud, or the fountain was moved. Clean the fountain, change the filter, and fill it to the max line. If your cat is drinking much less overall, call your vet.

Is a fountain better than a bowl for cats?

A fountain is not better for every cat, but many cats like fresh, moving water and drink readily from one. A clean bowl with fresh water changed daily is also fine. Watch your cat and offer what they prefer.

How often should I clean my cat's water fountain?

Top up the water daily and do a full clean about once a week. Take the fountain apart, wash it with warm water and mild unscented soap, rinse well, and clean the pump. Change the filter as the maker suggests.

Do cats like loud or quiet fountains?

Most cats prefer a quiet fountain, especially at first. A gentle trickle is usually less scary than a loud splash. If a fountain gets louder over time, the water is often low or the pump needs cleaning.

What if my cat never uses the fountain?

Some cats simply prefer a bowl, and that is okay. Try a new spot, a lower flow, or a different style first, but always keep a clean bowl of fresh water available. The goal is a cat that drinks well, not a cat that uses a specific product.

Can I put ice cubes in my cat's water fountain?

A few ice cubes can cool the water on a hot day, and some cats find them interesting. Check your fountain's manual first, and do not let ice block the pump. Clean, fresh water at room temperature is perfectly fine for most cats.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet seems unwell, talk to your veterinarian.