Cat Mate Pet Fountain Review (2025 Update)

Cat Mate Pet Fountain allows your cat to have a fresh and moving source of water to increase its daily water intake. Its special design makes it very silent when operating and helps cats to drink from it with its multi-height fountain levels with fresh water in movement to ensure oxygenated cool water all day. These facts make the Cat Mate one of the most affordable and best cat drinking fountains in the market.

Cat Mate Pet Fountain is easy to disassemble to clean and dishwasher safe. The unit works with replaceable polymer-carbon filter cartridge to ensure purified water for your cat. More recently, Cat Mate has upgraded from its original polymer-carbon filters to a new 3-stage (triple action) filter that traps hair and helps reduce mineral buildup. With a 70 fl oz (2-liter) capacity, the fountain provides plenty of fresh water for both cats and small dogs.

Features of Cat Mate Drinking Fountain

• With multi-height water drinking levels
• 70 fl Oz (2 Liters) water capacity
• 10-foot cord length and low voltage power supply
• Upgraded 3-stage (triple action) filtration system
• Quiet operation with isolated pump system
• Pump features a water-flow adjustment dial
• Made of BPA/BHT-free plastic (per package specs)
• Suitable for cats and small dogs
• Dimensions: 6.8” High x 10.5” Deep x 8.8” Wide
• Weight: 2.2 pounds (1 kg)
• Dishwasher safe
• Disassembly is easy for cleaning

How the Cat Mate Fountain Works

The Cat Mate Fountain is made of two main parts: a bottom tray and an upper reservoir with a splash reducing ramp. This design creates four drinking areas for your cat to choose from. A small electric pump located in the bottom tray draws water through the filter, removing hair, dirt, and odors, and pushes it up into the top reservoir. The pump is attached to the top with a plastic piece that you swivel to one side and pull off for easy disassembly. From there, the water flows back down in a gentle stream into the lower bowl, creating continuous circulation that keeps the water oxygenated and fresher than standing water. Without electricity, the pump won’t run, so only the lower tray will hold water.

See the Cat Mate Fountain in Action!

How the Cat Mate Triple-Action Filter Works

Originally, Cat Mate promoted its polymer–carbon filters, which remove dirt and odors. More recently, upgraded 3-stage (triple action) filters are available: a pre-filter to catch hair and debris, an activated carbon to absorb chlorine and bad tastes and Ion exchange resin to help prevent mineral scaling deposits. These updated filters provide a more complete cleaning system compared to the earlier version. The updgraded filter keeps its cartridge form.

How to Adjust the Water Flow

The Cat Mate Pet Fountain features a flow adjustment dial in the pump so you will need to access the pump to change the flow speed. By moving the dial you can adjust the flow very precisely going from low to high. It’s recommended to set the fountain to an intermediate flow for everyday use. A lower flow reduces water loss through evaporation, but it won’t circulate the water as effectively. A higher flow cools the water more and may be more appealing to some cats, but it can also increase the risk of splashing at the top bubbling area.

Refilling the Cat Mate Fountain

You can simply pour water from a jug into the bottom bowl or take the fountain to the sink to refill. To take it to the sink you pull the inline cord apart instead of unplugging the unit from the wall. When doing this, you will have just a small part of the cord making it easier to take the unit to the sink. Once in the sink you fill the water from the bottom section of the fountain. A good idea is to clean the fountain when refilling, this way you ensure the integrity of the filter and the pump.

Cleaning the Fountain

Ideally, you should clean the fountain every 5–7 days if used by one cat. To clean the Cat Mate Fountain, first disassemble it. Disconnect the inline plug and take the unit to the sink. Empty the water from the base and remove the top, bottom, pump, and filter. Place the top and bottom parts on the dishwasher’s top rack. If handwashing, use mild soap and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Dry the parts well, reassemble the unit, add water, and plug the wires back together—the Cat Mate Fountain is ready to go.

Monthly Maintenance:

Replace the filter monthly. For the pump, disassemble it and soak it in a water-and-vinegar solution to remove mineral buildup. Cleaning the pump is crucial to keep it working properly; otherwise, it can become clogged and stop running.

Pros and Cons of Cat Mate Drinking Fountain

Pros

• Easy to set up
• Easy to fill
• Easy to disassemble and clean
• Very quiet when operating
• Different water levels let your cat choose where to drink, making it more appealing
• Works for different types of drinkers (height, waterfall, wide bowl)
• The fountain does not splash and fits easily in corners
• Keeps the water fresh and cool
• You can unplug the cord from the fountain
• Upgraded 3-stage (triple action) filter cartridge
• Adjustable flow speed options: Low, Intermediate, High
• Long cord and larger plug allow flexible placement
• Good price

Cons

• It gets grimy very quickly
• The unit is not very sturdy
• You cannot wait until the water level is low to refill it
• You need to take the fountain apart to adjust the water flow
• Plug is bulky

Tips For Using The Cat Mate Pet Fountain

• If the fountain starts getting noisy you have to check the water level. The motor noise gets louder if the water level goes below the minimum mark on the side of the bottom bowl.
• In hot weather, use a lower flow setting to reduce evaporation, especially if you tend to forget to refill the fountain often.
• If you don’t receive instructions with the fountain, Customer Service will email you the instructions upon request.

How the Cat Mate Compares to Newer Models

The Cat Mate Fountain has been on the market for over a decade. While it remains a solid entry-level fountain, newer models in 2025 have introduced features like wireless designs, fewer detachable parts, and smart sensors with continuous, timer, or sensor-activated modes. These upgrades make newer fountains lower maintenance but also more expensive. The Cat Mate still stands out for its quiet operation, multi-level drinking areas, and affordability, qualities many pet owners prefer over more complex designs with control panels.

Conclusion

The Cat Mate Pet Fountain is an affordable, practical option for cats that prefer moving water. It’s quieter than many other brands and easy to disassemble and clean. As with any fountain, not all cats will take to it.

Its main drawback is the frequent cleaning required. Without regular and thorough care, bacteria and germs can build up despite the upgraded filter. With proper maintenance, the pump can last for years, though it may not hold up as long as premium models.

This fountain also makes a good first choice if you’re unsure what type of drinker your cat is, since it offers multiple drinking options in one unit.

Bottom Line

✅ The Cat Mate Pet Fountain is recommended for short-haired cats and for owners who don’t mind keeping up with frequent cleaning maintenance. ➤Check price and availability of this fountain on Amazon ➤ here.

❌ The Cat Mate Pet Fountain is not recommended for cats with long hair, for owners who don’t have time to clean and disassemble it often, or for those seeking a pump that consistently lasts well beyond two years.

This review is based on product research, manufacturer details, customer feedback, and demonstrations from independent users.