Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

4 types of cat water bowls your pet will love

PawTracks
By

When it comes to picking out a water bowl for your cat, you may be wondering: Why does it matter? Well, certain cat water bowls provide better neck support while drinking, offer more convenient hydration, and are more appealing overall to your cat. Check out some of these top picks for a water bowl that will be enjoyed by your furry friend.

What types of cat water bowls are best?

Cat drinking water out of a large metal bowl
Aleksandar Milutinovic/Shutterstock.com

When it comes to a cat water bowl, selection is vast and seemingly endless. From different materials to varying designs, there isn’t a type of bowl that you can’t find. While this is great for those who know what kind of bowl their cat will enjoy, it can be difficult for those who have a picky cat on their hands. Thankfully, there are some key types that appeal to a majority of cats, even the pickiest of the pickiest. The top four cat water bowl types include:

  • Wide bowl. A wide bowl made out of metal, ceramic, or plastic can be all that your cat needs to stay hydrated throughout the day. Many cats don’t like it when their whiskers touch the sides of their bowl, so small bowls just won’t cut it. By offering your cat a wide bowl, their head has plenty of room to move around freely without their whiskers brushing up against the sides.
  • Water fountain bowl. You may have noticed that your cat loves the sound, sight, and taste of running water. Whether they have admired a running bathtub faucet or the one in your kitchen sink, it is clear that they adore water in motion. Water fountain bowls come in many varieties, shapes, and sizes, so you will have no trouble picking out one for your friendly feline. These bowls often offer multiple little fountains for your cat to drink from. This bowl will not only attract your cat and keep them hydrated, but it will also keep them entertained for hours, admiring the flowing water.
  • Elevated bowl. An elevated bowl can be especially nice for older cats, but it is ideal for cats of any age. These bowls have a thick base or pedestal-type base that raises up the bowl for easier reach. These bowls are more comfortable for your cat to drink from, relieving the strain from their neck and back. You can find a variety of these bowls online. They often come in packs of two, allowing you to have a water and food bowl for your cat in one convenient purchase.
  • Gravity water bowl. If you have a busy lifestyle or just tend to be forgetful when it comes to refilling your cat’s water bowl, then the gravity bowl may be the perfect fit for you and your cat. Your cat will love having a perfectly consistent amount of fresh drinking water each and every day. Gravity water bowls are pretty simple and easy to use. Simply fill up the water jug, and gravity does the rest. Whenever your cat drinks, this automatic waterer will refill the amount immediately, ensuring your cat always has enough fresh water to drink from.
Recommended Videos

Things to consider when purchasing a cat water bowl

The four types listed above come with various options, so it can be helpful to know what to look for when it comes to material, size, shape, and height. Things to consider for each element may include:

Related
  • Material. the material of each bowl is important because some offer more benefits than others. For example, stainless steel and ceramic bowls can keep your cat’s water colder for a longer time, making it a more appealing option. Many cats don’t like the texture and smell of plastic bowls, but it may be a good choice for your cat if they don’t enjoy the hardness of ceramic or stainless steel.
  • Size. the wider the bowl, the better is a typical trend in most cases. But if your cat doesn’t mind a smaller bowl, it may be a better option for tight feeding spaces.
  • Shape. Rounded bowls are always best because they don’t offer intimidating, sharp edges that may turn your cat away from drinking.
  • Height. when it comes to cat bowls, elevated ones are best for reducing the stress on your cat’s neck and back. A height of 4 to 5 inches is ideal for most cats, but the bowl should reach your cat’s knee height for the perfect fit.
Cat sitting under a chair near a water bowl
Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock.com

Cats can be lovable jerks, refusing to drink out of a bowl simply because they can. If you have a picky cat on your hands, finding the right water bowl for them can feel like a huge hassle. Luckily, there are a lot of great options to choose from, and some you may have never heard of. When it comes to finding the right water bowl for your cat, consider their temperament, size, and drinking habits. One water bowl may be more appealing to them than others. Regardless of which one you end up buying for your picky feline, you’ll know you got them a great product that will keep them healthy and hydrated for years to come.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
PawTracks
PawTracks
This video shows another side to the war in Ukraine: All the cats
These cats are working alongside their humans in service to their country
Kitten peeks out of a military helmet

Pets might not be our first thought when we think about armed conflict, but they're a surprising part of it. In the current war in Ukraine, many refugees fleeing the country are bringing beloved pets with them and, luckily, neighboring countries have been able to take some of them in. Despite nearly impossible circumstances, animals are being saved and even brought to the US and going to loving families. Some, however, are living directly on the front lines with soldiers, including the adorable cats featured in this video.

In it, you see cats of all shapes and sizes hanging out with their buddies dressed in fatigues and often ready for action. The kitties climb up their people or ride along in satchels or assist the war effort by becoming lookouts (or at least pretending to). While they may not be a lot of help in that arena, they can provide friendship and become true assets to their units (some trained military dogs deploy with troops around the world to help with things like finding land mines and search and rescue). Interestingly, animals have always been essential to war, not just as the cavalry but in a companionship role as well.

Read more
These are the 10 most popular cat breeds, as counted by The Cat Fanciers’ Association
Here are the top 10 most popular cat breeds in the world
A Devon Rex cat is held up against a blue sky

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognizes 46 different feline breeds, but not all of them can be the most popular. That's why the CFA took a look into its registries to determine the top 10 most popular cat breeds of 2022. It welcomes registrations from "nonstandard" and "non-pedigreed" cats as well, but those feline friends weren't included in this particular count.

Which types of cats do you think were the most popular in 2022? Whether you can list off every breed or can't even name one, we guarantee there's at least one surprise on this list.

Read more
Can large cats enjoy a cat tree? Here are the ones to get
Cat trees for large cats might be hard to find, but you can get the right one
Large black cat sits in a cat tree

While you probably know that your dog needs a decent amount of exercise, you might not realize that your cat does, too. Experts estimate that most indoor cats don't get enough exercise, and as many as 40% could be overweight or obese. Some big kitties might need a bit more, just as would be true for many dogs. One way to help encourage their heart rate is to gift them a structure. A cat tree for large cats will stimulate both their bodies and their minds.
Why do our felines love cat trees?
In the wild, cats climb trees, every one of those felines, from your escaped house cat to lions and leopards -- they all love to get height. You might also see your indoor pet trying to do the same in your house with mixed success. Many pet parents investigate a sudden noise to find their little jumper now sitting on top of the cabinets or on a bookcase. If you give them a cat tree, that will satisfy much of their need to climb. It also allows the kitty to have space to themselves up high when they want to get out of the way and burn a few of those calories.
What are the benefits of a cat tree?
Cats love to climb whether they live inside, outside, or both. Some owners like to mimic the great outdoors by installing a cat tree indoors. It should be fun for your kitty, but it will also have health benefits. This is a great way to give them a little exercise, a scratching post, and mental stimulation. Make sure to pick the right one, depending on your cat's size, interests, and behaviors.
Which one should I get for my big cat?
A large cat needs a sturdy cat tree! Stick to a few of these bigger and safer ones that will work perfectly for your larger animal.

FEANDREA 67-inch Multi-Level Cat Tree for Large Cats
This tree, aptly billed as "Exclusive Luxury for Cats," will give them plenty to do no matter what mood hits them. With this cat tree, your feline has multiple heights, hidey holes, and balls to bat on. Most importantly, it's incredibly stable and boasts high reviews -- a distinguished 4.8. One top reviewer said their 20-pound beastie even fit on it, so this one works well if you have a big kitty.

Read more