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Water fountain
Why moving water
In the wild, standing water is more likely to be contaminated. Cats in particular have a residual preference for running sources. Households that switch from bowl to fountain often see measurable increases in daily water intake, useful in cats prone to FLUTD/urinary stones or in early-stage chronic kidney disease, where hydration directly affects disease progression.
Maintenance
- Rinse and refill every 1–2 days.
- Deep-clean (disassembled, scrubbed with hot soapy water) weekly. Biofilm builds up fast in pumps.
- Replace carbon filters per manufacturer schedule, usually every 2–4 weeks.
- Ceramic or stainless steel over plastic, easier to clean, no plastic chin acne in cats.
Why it matters
Chronic dehydration in cats is the silent driver of two of the most common feline diseases: FLUTD and CKD. A fountain is not a treatment, but it is one of the few interventions that shifts daily intake without requiring you to be present.
Frequently asked questions
- My cat is afraid of the fountain.
- Turn the pump off for the first week so the cat learns it's a water source. Then turn it on at the lowest flow setting. Some cats need the spout angled to a gentle trickle rather than an open splash.
- Are dog fountains the same?
- Mechanically yes, sized larger. Dogs generally drink enough from bowls; fountains help mainly for picky drinkers or households with multiple pets sharing one station.