My one worry would be that this fountain is similar to the catit grass planter which didn’t do so well with us a few years ago. Additionally, some fountains include a filtration system that enhances the water freshness by removing toxins and impurities. Another contribution to keeping the water fresh is the integration of a filter. This brings us to the first benefit that falls into the ‘convenience’ category. I want to get one but i have finky cats so i am worried they may not use it or like it. Cats are therefore attracted to running water and will drink more when water is available in the flowing mode. Because a cat fountain is a much more complex design than a simple watering bowl, it requires some special attention, which contributes to most of the drawbacks listed here. When water sits still for a long period of time, it can get dirty, dusty and polluted from bacterial growth. It turns out that there’s a lot of debate about them and the selection is vast. Water fountains do more than just contain water. With that said, fountains can also pose some unexpected annoyances in the household due to their mechanics. Pampering my cats like they’re my children? Do cats prefer running water? While some fountains run on batteries, others require a cord, adding to the confusion and tripping hazard. Since I’m home most of the day, I can keep an eye on my cats’ drinking dishes to make sure they’re fresh and clean. (It still works, just gets hard to open). A cat water fountain is a device that makes watering your cat convenient and generally hassle-free. We love it for many reasons, including: Will My Cat Love Me Less If I Feed Her Less? In all of the above cases, a water fountain can encourage your cat to drink more. Those of you who have water fountains for your cats, what kind and brand do you have? I’m so happy I did my research about cat water fountains before buying the first fountain I saw online. My wife and I have been blessed with 4 purrfect cats (2 brothers seen above with my daughter) and we all live, pounce, and play in the Massachusetts wilderness. But whether or not you think a cat fountain is beneficial for your home, it’s important to consider the element of safety above all else. If your cat tends to avoid the water dish and opt for hanging out by the sink, then there’s a good chance she will enjoy having a cat fountain. Instead of coming home to find a bowl that is bone-dry, the large reservoir of a fountain can ensure that your cat has plenty of water to last while you’re away. While there are some fountains priced around $30, a quick browse of the selection of quality cat fountains shows that they can quickly approach $60 or more. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is FDA approved and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Cats doesnt like water fountain Well, i bought a water fountain a few weeks ago (you know, the automatic fountain with proximity sensor) to replace their water recipient (a cube with water), but they doesnt seem to like it and just one of my cats (i have three rn) gets close to it, for disconnect the wire and throw it whenever he wants. Cats often dislike deep, narrow food and water bowls which can push painfully back on their whiskers when they eat or drink. PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Pet Fountain. The best cat water fountains that are presented below, take advantage of the fact that cats like moving water, thereby encouraging your cat to drink more. Here are a few reasons why he might not be as enthusiastic about it as you had hoped. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Don't subscribeAllReplies to my comments Keep the conversation going! Cat Veteran is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.” *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. While some people find the sound of running water therapeutic, others find it annoying. I’m usually pretty minimalist when it comes to home décor and flashy accessories, but it’s a different story when my cats come into the picture. Your email address will not be published. For more information, please read our privacy policy. And finally, the question that could make or break in your decision to purchase a fountain. If you’re noticing signs of dehydration (lethargy, panting, dry mouth, loss of appetite, etc.) Their constant water flow inhibits bacterial growth. Most cat water fountains feature an electric pump, which moves water from the reservoir to the basin. I’m Toki, I’m the owner/editor of Cat Veteran. Not only does your cat benefit with healthy kidneys, you get a nice water feature for your home! However, they can provide fresher water, promoting hydration. Similar to the cat’s evolutionary attraction to the sound of running water, many individuals find this sound soothing. Notice: Ask-a-Vet is an affiliated service for those who wish to speak with a veterinary professional about their pet's specific condition. A fountain’s foremost advantage is that the running water encourages your cat to drink in a number of ways. IPETTIE Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain. Plastic fountains are much more durable, making for a better option if you’re like me and have rambunctious nephews who like to run around when they visit. Cat mouths are not a clean environment. In general, most cats tend to not be bothered by cat water fountains, so long as the basin is large enough to access without disturbing their whiskers. There are quite a few benefits that come along with having a cat water fountain in your home. In the wild, flowing water is the safest alternative. Cats prefer running water, and this is why some of them will tap the water in their bowl with their paw before drinking it. Additionally, CatVeteran.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Best Cat Water Fountains Comparison. A water fountain might be a great solution for your home. I like to get my cats everything they need to lead healthy and happy lives (all nine of them! Required fields are marked *. I read a lot of articles to consider all the angles of safety when it comes to fountains, and the results were really interesting. The granulated carbon is made from coconut shells for extended filtration like the one from the PetSafe Drinkwell 360. Stagnant water can contain a lot of harmful bacteria. Disclaimer: CatVeteran.com is for general informational purposes only and is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. Instead of what they think is good for them. Ceramic basins are also generally considered safe. Veterinarian-written / veterinarian-approved articles for your cat. So in general, cat fountains are considered to be safe. First off, some fountains require assembly, so be sure to check the packaging instructions before you purchase one. Cats are sensitive to a lot of things, including loud noises. In general, most cat fountains are pretty safe when you’re considering their electrical power source. Also see our terms and conditions. The water neatly pours onto a receiving ramp and into a basin. Not all cat fountains are created equally, so if you’re shopping for a cat fountain, definitely take these things into consideration. https://www.businessinsider.com/best-cat-fountain#the-best-gravity-run-cat-fountain-4 https://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/common-emergencies/e_ct_dehydration https://www.purrfectpost.com/does-your-cat-need-a-pet-fountain/ https://www.petsafe.net/support/fountains/drinkwell-original-fountain https://www.thirstycatfountains.com/cat-fountain-filtration/, Your email address will not be published. The first consideration concerning safety for cats is, what is the cat fountain made of? At CatHealth.com, our favorite water fountain for cats is the Drinkwell Pagoda. Do cats prefer running water? Cat water fountains come in a large variety of designs and can make a beautiful addition to the aesthetic of your home. For the uninitiated, a pet water fountain is basically a replacement water bowl for your cat. Some of the cats will drink from the basin next to the center dome, others lick the dome, and sometimes the drink directly from the center where the water is pumping out. This site uses cookies to provide you a better user experience: hydrated with an old-fashioned bowl of water, https://www.businessinsider.com/best-cat-fountain#the-best-gravity-run-cat-fountain-4, https://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/common-emergencies/e_ct_dehydration, https://www.purrfectpost.com/does-your-cat-need-a-pet-fountain/, https://www.petsafe.net/support/fountains/drinkwell-original-fountain, https://www.thirstycatfountains.com/cat-fountain-filtration/. A cat fountain that provides the gentle sound of running water can be a therapeutic addition to the ambiance of your home. The water looks more like a natural source in the wild would and often tastes better. Related Questions. Cats don't like drinking out of still, stagnant water sources. Many cat owners struggle with curious cats that jump up on counters. Signs That Your Cat Will Love a Water Fountain Your cat seldom drinks from their bowl, but loves to play with and drink the water dripping … Sign up for the FREE Cat Health Mewsletter: Should You Get Your Cat a Water Fountain. Pump Powered Water Fountains for Cats. Cats love this water fountain because it has a quiet, free-flowing stream of water. Are You Shortening Your Cat's Life? The difference is that the water in the bowl will usually be constantly moving due to use of a mains electric water pump. Tap water may contain odors or tastes that are objectionable to cats. Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Fountain. I’ve even caught one of my cats drinking straight out of my own glass of water that I left on the counter. Many cat water fountains require a steady rotation of new filters in order to maintain a quality filtration performance. The short answer is YES. A WATER FOUNTAIN ENTICES YOUR CAT TO DRINK MORE Consider a water fountain an investment towards your cat’s health and well-being. - Slideshow, What Is a Group of Cats Called? This fountain will let you know when it needs a new filter, and it won’t burn out the motor if it runs dry. Sometimes stagnant water collects a particular odor that can be off-putting. Does anyone have a cat water fountain and how do your cats like it? The pumps on cat water fountains do wear out over time, but replacement pumps are often available. Often I find my cats joining me when I go to brush my teeth because they are hoping to get a drink from the tap. Cat fountains usually have a water basin of some kind that stores the water and then a pump that moves the water. Some cat fountains even require a special cleaning kit, which must be purchased separately from the fountain itself. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their cats. One theory suggests that feline instincts express a preference for running water … Reasons Why Your Cat Might Not Like a Water Fountain. They attract your cat towards the water. - Slideshow. They associate still water (as in a bowl) as stagnant water which is unsafe. It will filter out most of the contaminants just like the ones made for us humans. First of all, cat fountains can be quite noisy. I have the CatIt. This may be due to the fact that they originally came from a desert environment. While drinking out of a regular old water bowl isn’t impossible or even necessarily dangerous for your flat-faced kitty, it’s definitely not the ideal option. The motor or pump is too loud. Plastic, which in itself is considered harmful due to BPA, is easily scratched and in those scratches bacteria grow, which has been proven to cause chin a… The long answer is that water fountains for cats play into their base instincts and universal preference of running water over still one. And if the pump or filtration mechanism breaks, you can add a replacement part to your projected cost. Often, these cats may be looking for a different water source, such as a sink. Most cat fountains include a filtration system that is designed to remove impurities from tap water. Cat fountains can sometimes replace this counter curiosity by providing an engaging source of fresh, running water. However, different elements, such as material and filtration design, can impact some aspects of safety. Many of these filters can also catch hair and dust particles, so your cat is only drinking pure, clean water. I’d love to hear your views on cat water fountains and if you’ve had one for your pets. Top Pick. Subscribe to comment replies via e-mail. It changes shade over time and that’s a part of its character. We currently have two. A cat water fountain is especially beneficial if your cat it reluctant to get as much water as she should. Running on electricity, a water fountain for cats requires that you fill the fountain with water anywhere from every few days to every couple of weeks, and it uses that water to automatically fill your cat's water bowl via a pump. Free-flowing water, on the other hand, remains odorless, which can help entice your cat to drink. Some of us cat owners are working with very picky felines who would raise a pinky while drinking water if they could! Research suggests that cats are attracted to the sound of running water. Are water fountains safe for cats? Regular cleaning is required in order to keep bacteria from building up within the pump and filtration system of the fountain. This stems from evolutionary development. In addition to cleaning, there’s another thing involved with the filtration system. This evolutionary quirk may even explain why cats tend to fancy drinking water straight from a dripping faucet! Do cats like water fountains? The purchase of new filters can quickly add up, leading to the next drawback of cat fountains. This is a buried fountain which takes up the whole area covered with rocks. Ceramic, metal and glass are non-porous and they don’t get scratched easily. How much do cat fountains cost? The water may often be changing height via waterfalls to aerate the water. The fountain makes little to no noise, and splashing it reduced via the ramp design. How do cat fountains work? There are several reasons why having a water fountain available for your cat might be a great idea. Another significant drawback of cat water fountains is that they require much more upkeep and maintenance than a traditional water dish. Bonus Tip: Cats don't generally like to drink water near where they eat. Does your cat drink from a water bowl but you think maybe she doesn't like it? Copyright © 2018 Cat Veteran | Powered by Purrfection. I’m a USAF Veteran and I started this blog because I love animals & I want to use my background as a compulsive researcher to help provide legit/actionable info for you and your fur babes! We also have a few regular bowls throughout the house for their convenience, but most of the cats prefer the fountain. The activated carbon filter removes bad tastes and odors from the water, keeping it fresh. This means that you’ll need to change the filter regularly if you want the fountain to work properly. Check out all the pros and cons to see if a cat fountain is right for your home. Still water can be lethal. Put your water fountain in a different location (even just across the room) from your cat's food bowl. They sell special cat fountains such as the Drinkwell. Cat Kneading: Why Do Cats Do It and What Do People Call It? Because of the evolutionary history of felines, which leads to a preference for the sound of running water, chances are your cat will like drinking from a fountain. Cat water fountains encourage your cat to drink and keeps them hydrated and healthy. There is a charge for the service if you choose to connect to a veterinarian. This is a cat fountain I really want to try. Just like my cats, I have a thing for aesthetics. Interestingly, this question is asked both by cat fountain owners and people thinking of buying their first cat fountain. Please leave your comments in the box below. Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. My cat has recently had a few bouts of cystitis (a scan and urine analysis have been done) and on the last occasion passing ... Read more on Netmums To be honest, most of the drawbacks to cat fountains affect the pet owner directly, instead of the cats. Most cats soon take to water fountains, and find fresh, aerated, running water attractive. But thinking about my cousin, who often has 12-hour shifts at work, having a cat fountain could be much more convenient for her. The fountain also has a cord tuck to keep your cat’s water area looking nice. One theory suggests that feline instincts express a preference for running water because of its reduced risk for bacterial growth and overall increased freshness. Why do cats like water fountains April 7th, 2020 Posted by admin Uncategorized No Comment yet . Cats are more attracted to water in motion. Like any other water bowl, these fountains need to be regularly cleaned to keep the water fresh and free of bacteria. By relying on a pump to circulate water, fountains make sure your kitty always has fresh water at the tip of their whiskers, without having to … It turns out that the safety of fountains truly depends on a number of factors, including the material of the fountain and the effectiveness of the filtration system. You can also subscribe without commenting. 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