Catit PIXI Fountain with Stainless Steel Top review

The Catit PIXI 43720 adds a stainless steel drinking top to the non-connected PIXI design. It is a good fit when you want a shallow retained-water bowl, visible refill warnings and a specifically dishwasher-safe drinking surface. It should be chosen for those practical differences, rather than an assumption that a steel top makes the whole water system stainless steel.

43720 is a supplied configuration, not a color name

The official page identifies 43720 as the PIXI Fountain with stainless steel top. Its reservoir and pump arrangement still include other materials. We keep this configuration separate from the standard plastic-top colors because the supplied surface and cleaning permission are meaningful requirements for a buyer.

Catit also sells compatible replacement steel tops separately. That accessory can be useful for an owner of a standard PIXI, but it does not mean the standard package already meets a steel-surface requirement. Compare the complete purchase: an existing fountain plus an additional top is a different shopping plan from buying this factory steel-top configuration.

The drinking options remain simple

The removable spout provides an arching stream. Without it, water bubbles up and flows into the front bowl. The bowl retains water when the fountain is off, providing access to that shallow pool during a pause in pumping. This is a physical bowl feature, not evidence of a battery inside the appliance.

The pump uses the supplied USB power arrangement and adapter. Plan a dry, stable location with appropriate cord routing. A convenient drinking position can still be impractical if the cord crosses a walkway or attracts chewing. If placing the fountain away from a socket is essential, compare the actual battery modes of the Dockstream PLWF115 or Dockstream 2 Cordless.

Local warnings can be enough

The illuminated nose and whisker window indicate low water and an empty reservoir. Automatic low-water shutdown is documented in the shared exact-model guide. These features suit a person who checks the fountain in the room and wants a visible refill prompt. They do not establish a remote notification service or a measurement of how much a particular cat drank.

The PIXI Smart 43751 adds app controls, scheduling and status notifications. Those conveniences are worth considering when remote control matters, but they are not necessary simply to obtain a steel drinking surface. Choose 43720 when its non-connected routine already covers the task.

Dishwasher permission applies to the steel top

The product page and guide explicitly allow the stainless steel top in the dishwasher. The pump and reservoir still need their own care. Remove the top as instructed and avoid transferring that permission to electrical parts. Keeping a second compatible top may help an owner who wants to swap surfaces while washing one, but it is an additional purchase.

The guide recommends frequent fountain cleaning and filter rinsing, plus weekly pump cleaning. It explains access to the impeller rather than suggesting that a filter makes the pump maintenance-free. Inspect for hair, deposits and restricted flow. A dishwasher-safe top reduces one part of the workload; it does not remove the need to maintain the rest of the water path.

Check capacity and counter placement separately

The exact 43720 page specifies a 2-liter reservoir and an approximately 8 by 8-inch body footprint. Allow room to lift parts and carry the reservoir as well as room for the closed fountain. Nominal reservoir volume is not a promise of a fixed number of days between refills. Consumption, spills and cleaning can all shorten the interval.

Unlike the standard plastic PIXI page's conflicting capacity figures, this steel-top page consistently presents 2 liters in the sections read. We do not use another model's larger number. This review interprets official documentation, not a measured refill or sound test, and makes no skin-treatment or other medical promise from the material choice.

Compare steel drinking surfaces with dishwasher permission and retained water. Read the component-specific care instructions before deciding that a particular design will simplify your routine.