Cats evolved to get most of their water from prey and are poor at making up the difference by drinking, which becomes a real problem on a dry-food diet and a bigger one as they age. Most will drink more from water that moves. The catch with an ordinary fountain is that it runs constantly, which means pump noise all night and a filter working around the clock. This one waits: the sensor picks up a cat approaching from up to 150cm away across a 120-degree arc and starts the flow for ten seconds.

There is a second mode for cats who need persuading rather than serving. The intermittent geyser runs on an hourly cycle, sending up a short burst of water every 60 minutes whether anyone is there or not, which catches the attention of a cat who has not yet worked out what the thing on the floor is for. The clear tank lets you check the level without lifting the lid, and a filter handles hair and debris. It measures 210 x 140 x 165mm, so it takes up roughly the footprint of a shoebox.

• Motion sensor triggers a 10-second flow
• Sensor range of 150cm across a 120-degree arc
• Intermittent geyser mode on a 60-minute cycle
• 210 x 140 x 165mm
• Clear tank for checking the level at a glance
• Filter for hair and debris
• Four colourways

Two things worth knowing. And because the water sits still between visits in sensor mode, it needs emptying, scrubbing and refilling regularly, not just topping up.

Who it's for: Owners of cats who barely touch the water bowl, and anyone who wants a fountain that is not running all night.