Cats evolved to take most of their water from prey and are poor at making up the shortfall from a bowl, which is why chronic mild dehydration sits behind so many feline kidney and urinary problems. Moving water is more tempting than still water to most cats, and a bowl they will actually use several times a day is worth considerably more than a bowl they walk past.

The basin is 304 stainless steel rather than plastic, and that is the single best reason to choose this one. Plastic scratches, and those scratches hold bacteria that plastic bowls are notorious for, which is the usual culprit behind feline chin acne. Steel wipes properly clean and does not hold odour. Water circulates up through a gooseneck spout and back through a replaceable filter that catches hair and grit, with a side window showing the level at a glance.

• 304 food-grade stainless steel basin
• 3.2 litre reservoir with a side level window
• Gooseneck spout circulates and aerates the water
• Replaceable filter traps hair and debris
• Dismantles for cleaning
• Filter packs available as 5 round or 6 square elements

Two things worth knowing. One variant is listed as a 3L model with no adapter supplied, so check exactly which option you are selecting and whether a UK plug is included. And a fountain is only as clean as its maintenance: the pump wants stripping and rinsing every couple of weeks or the biofilm defeats the point of buying steel.

Who it's for: cats and dogs who do not drink enough, and multi-pet homes where a still bowl empties and goes stale between refills.