Kayla Solino/ZDNET
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Water is vital to both humans and pets, of course. But while we have a multitude of options to help quench our thirst, from trendy Stanley tumblers to Owala water bottles, our furry friends don't have the same luxury -- or do they? For plenty of pets, a simple water bowl is standard. Materials can range from stainless steel to plastic, but the design typically consists of just a bowl and nothing more.
Yes, there may have been a slight fluctuation in this variation on the market, but believe it or not, there are even more innovative options available. For cats and dogs, filtered water dispensers yield pretty good results when searched for on Google or Amazon. That's because, like our own fun tumblers and cups, we've come to realize that our pets deserve the best, too.
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Thankfully, I was able to get my hands on Petcube's water fountain, which is recommended for cats and small dogs. The Petcube fountain was announced at CES 2025 and hit the market in March. Before this, I used a Veken automatic water dispenser, and while I liked it, I wanted something more elongated in size to better fit against my kitchen cabinet, and I needed something wireless. The Petcube fountain comes in two variations: ceramic or stainless steel, and it's not cheap. The stainless steel model retails for $80, while the ceramic model sells for $100; however, both are on sale for at least $25 off ahead of Black Friday on Petcube's website. Amazon also has these fountains for similar prices.
Like others on the market, it requires the purchase of water filters, just like a Brita pitcher. These are periodically replaced (Petcube suggests every 28 days) to keep your pet's water filtered and fresh. The filters are $10 for a three-pack, so there is an investment in routine use.
The ceramic and stainless steel tray pieces are dishwasher safe, and both of these materials are better than other alternatives at fending off germs that can accumulate in water over time. They help prevent the gross, filmy residue that I had seen in my other water bowls before. My cat, Otis, is a big fan of the fountain aspect, preferring to drink directly from the stream in the same way a person would sip from a water fountain. He also isn't protesting the addition of the water feature, which he also likes to play with. The other cats in the household love the fountain, too.
A close up of the ceramic drinking tray. Kayla Solino/ZDNET
Petcube's fountain is exceptionally sleek (and totally cordless), featuring a narrow oval shape that's perfectly wide enough to prevent whisker fatigue. It also features a transparent water tank, so it's easy to see when water needs to be added. What's particularly unique is this system's set of light cues. Several colored lights correspond to different signals, such as "refill the tank," "purification mode on," "fully charged," "battery low," and "need to charge." This makes it easy to keep up with maintenance.
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