The best pet water fountain in NZ overall is the PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain, a 360-degree design built for multi-pet households that holds a 4.2 out of 5 rating from 136 owners on Petbarn Australia. If you want a genuinely cordless design, PETKIT’s EverSweet Solo SE removes the power cord from the water bowl entirely, and if you’re on a tight budget, Catit’s LED Flower Fountain is the most affordable way into filtered water here.
We’ve compared seven pet water fountains available in NZ, from PetSafe’s trusted Drinkwell range through to compact Catit and PETKIT designs, so you can match one to your cat, your dog, or both.
Quick comparison
| Pet Water Fountain | Best For | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain | Best Overall | 3.8L |
| PetSafe Drinkwell 3.7 Litre Fountain | Best for Cats & Small Dogs | 3.7L |
| PetSafe Drinkwell 7.5 Litre Fountain | Best for Large Dogs / Multi-Pet | 7.5L |
| PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Fountain | Best Ceramic | ~2.1L |
| Catit LED Flower Fountain | Best Budget | 3L |
| Catit Pixi Cat Fountain | Best Compact / Cat-Specific | 2L |
| PETKIT EverSweet Solo SE | Best Wireless Pump | 1.85L |
1. PetSafe Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain – Best Overall
PetSafe’s Drinkwell 360 is built specifically for multi-pet households, with a 360-degree design that lets several cats or dogs drink from different sides of the bowl at once rather than queuing for a single spout.
A 3.8 litre stainless steel bowl pairs with dual filtration (an activated carbon filter plus a foam pre-filter) and 1 to 5 adjustable free-falling water streams via interchangeable spout attachments, so you can tune the flow to what your pets actually prefer. It’s the most reviewed fountain in this guide, rated 4.2 out of 5 across 136 owners on Petbarn Australia.
The stainless steel bowl and tower are top-rack dishwasher safe, though the pump itself needs to be hand-washed separately, a common trait across every fountain in this guide. For anyone with more than one pet drinking from the same bowl, it’s the easiest recommendation here.
Pros
- 360-degree design suits multiple pets at once
- 1-5 adjustable water stream settings
- Dual filtration (carbon + foam)
- Well-reviewed (4.2/5, 136 reviews)
Cons
- Pump must be hand-washed separately
- Stainless steel shows water spots more than plastic
Key specs: 3.8L capacity, dual filtration, 1-5 adjustable streams, stainless steel, dishwasher-safe bowl.
2. PetSafe Drinkwell 3.7 Litre Fountain – Best for Cats & Small Dogs
The 3.7 Litre Drinkwell is sized specifically for cats and small to medium dog breeds, with a wide, shallow bowl designed around cat whisker comfort rather than a narrow spout cats have to push their whiskers against.
It uses the same dual carbon-and-foam filtration as the larger Drinkwell models, with a single adjustable free-falling stream you can dial from near-silent to a fuller flow. One genuinely useful design touch: the open bowl means pets can still drink normally if the power goes out, and the pump simply resumes once power returns.
Early NZ reviews on Petdirect are perfect, 5 out of 5, though from a small sample of just 6 ratings so far, so treat that as encouraging rather than statistically conclusive. For a single cat or a small dog household, it’s a sensibly sized, less expensive way into a filtered fountain.
Pros
- Wide bowl designed for cat whisker comfort
- Keeps working (unpowered) if electricity cuts out
- Same dual filtration as larger Drinkwell models
- More affordable than the 360 or Ceramic models
Cons
- Early reviews are based on a small sample size
- Single stream only, less adjustable than the 360
Key specs: 3.7L capacity, dual filtration, 1 adjustable stream, BPA-free plastic, dishwasher-safe.
3. PetSafe Drinkwell 7.5 Litre Fountain – Best for Large Dogs / Multi-Pet
Stepping up in capacity, the 7.5 Litre Drinkwell is built for large dog breeds or households with several pets sharing one water source, cutting down how often you need to top it up.
It carries over the same dual carbon-and-foam filtration and adjustable free-falling stream as the smaller Drinkwell models, and PetSafe’s own guidance suggests roughly 70ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day, useful for working out how long a full bowl should last your household. The bowl and tower are dishwasher safe, with the pump hand-washed separately.
Independent review data for this exact size is still thin, with only a single review found on an AU pet retailer so far, a genuinely positive one from an owner of two huskies, so there isn’t a large enough sample yet to draw a firm conclusion. For genuinely big dogs or several pets, though, the extra capacity is the whole point.
Pros
- Largest capacity in the Drinkwell range at 7.5L
- Same trusted dual filtration as other Drinkwell models
- Reduces how often you need to refill
- PetSafe’s own daily water guidance helps with sizing
Cons
- Independent review sample is still very small
- Bulkier footprint than the smaller Drinkwell models
Key specs: 7.5L capacity, dual filtration, adjustable stream, dishwasher-safe bowl and tower.
4. PetSafe Drinkwell Ceramic Fountain – Best Ceramic
For anyone who’d rather avoid stainless steel or plastic, PetSafe’s Drinkwell Ceramic fountain uses a grey ceramic bowl and tower, which some owners find both a better bench-top look and a material some cats simply seem to prefer drinking from.
It holds around 2.1 litres, uses the same carbon-and-foam filtration as the rest of the Drinkwell range, and runs what PetSafe describes as a whisper-quiet continuous pump. The ceramic bowl and tower are top-rack dishwasher safe, with the pump hand-washed separately as usual.
Genuine, independently verifiable review data for this specific model proved difficult to access at the time of writing, so unlike the other Drinkwell picks here, there’s no confirmed star rating to share yet. Weigh it primarily on the ceramic material and PetSafe’s broader reputation rather than a review score for now.
Pros
- Ceramic bowl, an alternative to steel or plastic
- Whisper-quiet pump design
- Same trusted dual filtration as the rest of the range
- Dishwasher-safe bowl and tower
Cons
- No independently confirmed review data found yet
- Most expensive Drinkwell model in this guide
- Ceramic can chip if dropped, unlike steel or plastic
Key specs: ~2.1L capacity, ceramic bowl and tower, dual filtration, dishwasher-safe.
5. Catit LED Flower Fountain – Best Budget
Catit’s LED Flower Fountain is the most affordable pick in this guide, holding 3 litres of water behind a flower-shaped top accessory that offers 3 adjustable flow settings, plus a blue LED nightlight that illuminates the water level window.
Its Triple Action Filter combines a mesh screen, activated carbon and an ion-exchange resin for water softening, and Catit recommends replacing it roughly every 30 days. Owner sentiment referenced on Chewy is generally positive, with easy assembly and cleaning called out most often, though a few cats reportedly took some time to warm up to the LED light before using it regularly.
It’s a genuinely accessible entry point into filtered fountains, and the compact size suits smaller spaces. It’s a straightforward, no-frills option rather than a multi-pet or large-capacity design.
Pros
- Most affordable fountain in this guide
- LED nightlight illuminates the water level
- Triple Action Filter (mesh, carbon, ion-exchange)
- Compact size suits smaller spaces
Cons
- Smaller 3L capacity than the larger Drinkwell models
- Some cats take time adjusting to the LED light
Key specs: 3L capacity, Triple Action Filter, 3 flow settings, LED nightlight, 0.6kg.
6. Catit Pixi Cat Fountain – Best Compact / Cat-Specific
The Catit Pixi is a smaller, cat-focused fountain offering three distinct drinking styles from the one unit: an arching spout stream, a bubbling top, or a whisker-friendly shallow flowing pool, so fussier cats have options.
It uses the same Triple Action Filter as the Flower Fountain above, and a cat-shaped LED nose light doubles as a status indicator: white when powered normally, blinking red when a refill is coming up, and solid red once it’s empty and the pump has shut off automatically. Chewy reviewers rate it 4.5 out of 5, praising the near-silent pump and a nightlight bright enough to be useful without being intrusive.
One reported downside worth noting: at least one reviewer found the pump stopped working after around two months of use, so it’s worth keeping an eye on performance early on. For a single cat wanting drinking-style variety in a compact unit, it’s a strong pick.
Pros
- 3 drinking styles in one fountain
- Status-indicator LED nose light
- Strong owner reviews (4.5/5)
- Auto-shutoff when empty
Cons
- At least one reported pump failure around 2 months
- Smaller 2L capacity, best suited to a single cat
Key specs: 2L capacity, Triple Action Filter, 3 drinking styles, LED status light, 0.68kg.
7. PETKIT EverSweet Solo SE – Best Wireless Pump
PETKIT’s EverSweet Solo SE stands out for one specific feature: a genuinely wireless pump, with no power cord running down into the water bowl itself, which removes any risk of a cord getting chewed or creating a shock hazard near the water.
It holds 1.8 to 1.85 litres, runs at 25 decibels or quieter, and uses PETKIT’s 4-stage filtration (their Filter 3.0 plus an inlet foam pre-filter), with every part, body, base, filter holder and outlet pipe, fully detachable for cleaning. Reviewers on Target.com rate it 4.63 out of 5 from 32 reviews, with one writing the cordless pump is “ingenious, no possible chance of a shock hazard.”
Some broader PETKIT models with app connectivity have drawn complaints elsewhere about WiFi reliability, though that specific issue wasn’t confirmed for this SE model, which doesn’t rely on an app to function. For anyone nervous about running a powered cord near a water bowl, the wireless pump design alone makes this worth considering.
Pros
- Genuinely wireless/cordless pump design
- Very quiet operation (25dB or quieter)
- 4-stage filtration, fully detachable for cleaning
- Strong owner reviews (4.63/5, 32 reviews)
Cons
- Smaller capacity (1.8-1.85L) than the larger Drinkwell models
- Some other PETKIT models have reported app/connectivity issues (not confirmed for this one)
Key specs: 1.8-1.85L capacity, wireless pump ≤25dB, 4-stage filtration, fully detachable parts.
How to choose a pet water fountain in NZ
Capacity and number of pets. A single cat is well served by a 2-3L fountain, while multi-pet households or large dogs need the 3.8-7.5L capacity of models like the Drinkwell 360 or 7.5L.
Filtration type. Most fountains use a mix of a foam pre-filter to catch hair and debris, plus activated carbon to reduce odour and improve taste. Check how often the filter needs replacing, typically every 2 to 4 weeks, since this becomes an ongoing running cost.
Material. Stainless steel and ceramic are easier to keep hygienic long-term and don’t develop the fine scratches that trap bacteria the way plastic can over time, though they generally cost more than plastic models.
Noise and pump type. A wireless pump, like the PETKIT model here, removes any power cord near the water bowl entirely. Whichever type you choose, a quieter pump matters more for nervous cats than for most dogs.
Ease of cleaning. Look for dishwasher-safe bowls and towers, and check whether the pump and all its parts fully detach, since a fountain that’s a hassle to clean tends to get cleaned less often than it should be.
For the rest of your pet setup, the guides to cat GPS trackers, dog food and dog ramps are worth a look.
Verdict
For most NZ households, the PetSafe Drinkwell 360 is the easiest fountain to recommend, with the strongest review base in this guide and a design built specifically for more than one pet. A single cat or small dog household is well served by the more affordable 3.7 Litre Drinkwell, while genuinely large dogs or busy multi-pet homes should look at the 7.5 Litre Drinkwell.
Buyers who want to avoid a power cord near the water bowl entirely should consider the PETKIT EverSweet Solo SE, and anyone on a tighter budget can still get a filtered fountain with the Catit LED Flower Fountain. The Catit Pixi suits a single cat who likes drinking-style variety, and the PetSafe Ceramic is worth a look if you’d simply rather avoid steel or plastic.
FAQs
Why won’t my cat drink from a water fountain?
Some cats need time to adjust to the sound or movement of running water, so it helps to place the fountain near their usual water spot at first and let them investigate on their own terms. If a cat still avoids it after a few weeks, try a different flow style, such as a shallow bubbling stream instead of a tall arching spout.
How often should I clean a pet water fountain?
A full clean of the bowl, tower and pump every 1 to 2 weeks is typical, with a quick wipe-down and water top-up every few days in between. Regular cleaning matters more in warmer weather or multi-pet households, where algae and bacteria build up faster.
Are pet water fountains safe to leave running all the time?
Yes, pet water fountains are designed to run continuously, and most pumps are built for 24/7 use. Just check the water level regularly, since most models will only run dry-safe for a limited time before the pump can be damaged.
How often do I need to replace the filter?
Most carbon filters need replacing every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the fountain and how many pets use it, though foam pre-filters can sometimes be rinsed and reused for longer. Check your specific model’s guidance, since replacement frequency varies between brands.
Can dogs and cats share the same water fountain?
Yes, most pet water fountains, including every model in this guide, are designed for both cats and dogs. The main consideration is size: a small tabletop fountain suits a cat or small dog, while larger or multi-pet households are better served by a bigger-capacity model.
Why is my pet water fountain making noise?
A little pump hum is normal, but rattling, gurgling or a sudden change in sound usually means the water level is low, the filter needs replacing, or the pump has trapped air or debris. Turning it off, topping up the water and reseating the pump usually resolves it.
