We have a pair of 2 1/2 year old tabbies (new to us). I've only seen one taking in any water and he's getting the water by putting his paw in the fountain and licking his paw! We have the nice Petmate Water Fountain - the water is constantly cycling through a filter and comes down a ramp. I refill it nearly everyday, so I'm assuming that they're both drinking. But what a funny wy to drink water!