Where Should You Place Your Pet Fountain?

The 11 key things to consider when finding a spot for your dog or cat drinking fountain.

Woman try to figure out where she can place a pet fountain.

So you made the (correct) decision to get your pet a drinking fountain – here’s to hydration! 🍻

But where should you put it? This guide walks you through everything you need to consider when finding a place for your cat or dog drinking fountain in your home.

In planning placement, the key goals are:

Maximize utilization (i.e. drinking)

Avoid water quality disruption (contamination & temperature)

Make cleaning & maintenance as easy as possible

With that in mind, here are the steps:

Maintain Distance from Food and Litter

The litter part may be obvious – you want to drink where you 💩? But keeping distance from food is also important, especially for cats. Remember, in the wild – food (think: dead carcass) near the water implies contamination. Animals know this instinctively. So place the fountain a healthy distance away from the food bowl – even if it’s just across the room or on the other side of your kitchen.

Panther and cat looking at water beside the food

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight not only promotes algae growth, but can warm up the water. This reduces oxygenation and promotes growth of all kinds of microorganisms. Avoid placing near a window, and consider where the sun rays will fall as the angle and path of the sun changes during the year (a shady spot in summer may become sunlit in winter).

Avoid Strong Air Currents

Air currents – such as from air vents, fans, frequently-open windows, and other drafty areas can cause a number of problems. First, they can cause excess contamination from dust and debris carried by the air. Second, they can cause unwelcome temperature changes. Third, they can also deter pets from drinking if they are strong enough to move their whiskers and dry their eyes while they drink. Place your pet fountain where the air is relatively still and stable.

Simplify Maintenance

Locate the fountain in a spot that is convenient for you to perform regular cleaning and water refills. Proper maintenance is key to ensuring the fountain remains a clean, appealing source of hydration – and the harder it is for you to do it, the higher the likelihood you’ll put it off or neglect it!

Ensure Visibility and Monitoring

Place the fountain where you can easily glance-check the water level and cleanliness without going out of your way. Transparent fountains, such as the Brook glass pet fountain, are ideal for this.

Ensure Accessibility

This consideration is especially important for senior pets and multi-pet homes. Ensure that the fountain is easily accessible, ideally from multiple directions. Ensure there are multiple paths to access the fountain without feeling trapped. An open approach allows pets to drink without stress.

Additionally, balance the placement between quiet and isolated. The fountain should be within easy access, but not in a high-traffic area (remember, in the wild pets are especially vulnerable when they drink, so seek a tranquil spot). A fountain in a semi-active area can encourage more frequent visits without overwhelming your pet.

Keep it Near the Play Area

Cats and dogs, like all mammals, dehydrate from activity. And if your play area involves a Treat Puzzle Feeder (as it should!) – fishing for dry snacks can make them thirsty! So make it easy for them to get a drink after they play and might be feeling too tired to wander far.

Example of a good placemett of a pet fountain

Minimize Noise

While the pumps on most pet fountains these days are pretty silent, the flowing water can still produce a trickling sound. While that’s attractive for your pet, it might be bothersome for you – so select a location where you won’t be inconvenienced. As far as your pet – quieter areas can make skittish pets more comfortable approaching the fountain.

Find Suitable Flooring

Consider the type of flooring in the fountain's vicinity. Avoid hardwood or wood composite. Flowing water produces micro-splatter that can damage the wood over time. Moreover, moving water is slightly cooler, so fountains can develop condensation on humid days, which will drip onto the floor. Finally, pets can splash while they drink! So ensure placement on a water-resistant floor (such as tile or vinyl) or a protective mat – or both!

Consider the Power Source

This will probably be your first consideration – “Where’s the outlet?!” – but it should actually be your last. If there is an ideal spot near a power outlet – great! If not: don’t panic – or compromise. Either run an extension cord, or plug your fountain into a medium-size portable power bank. They are relatively inexpensive and can run your fountain for weeks on a single charge!

Place Multiple Fountains

Feeling overwhelmed by all the above? 🙀 What if there’s just no ideal spot in your home? And even if there is, your house or apartment might be big – and there’s no telling where the cat might decide to hang out! The easiest way to solve this is by simply having multiple fountains. Yes – it’s more maintenance and adds expense – but hydration is one of the most important thing for your pet. And this is especially important for senior pets, who might have a harder getting around – while especially needing hydration for maintaining kidney function. So do it for their health!

Appartment plan of pet fountain placement

And there you have it! By considering these factors, you can create an optimal hydration station (or two, or more!) that not only fits well within your home – but seamlessly fits into your routine while enhances your pet’s health and lifestyle. Remember, a well-placed pet fountain can make all the difference in encouraging your pet to stay hydrated! Drink up!

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