As seen with With the rise of automatic litter boxes, automatic feeders, pet tracking and now the cat water fountain, technology has made it possible for us to closely monitor our pets and ensure they are being cared for without having to do a lot of the manual. labour.
A cat water fountain encourages cats to drink more water, which helps their overall health. I have noticed an increase in my cats’ water consumption since switching to a fountain. As a pet helicopter parent, I have become a believer in the source.
While automatic water fountains are better for your cats’ overall water consumption, they require a little more work and money. Instead of refilling a bowl, these require a little more effort, but it’s worth it for your cat’s health. In addition to routine filling and cleaning, you’ll need to disassemble the fountain to clean all parts, including using a brush for the bowl and tubes. You may also need to take the engine apart for a deep clean due to mineral buildup. These also have different types of filtration cartridges in specific shapes for brand fountains, requiring you to purchase and change filters, usually monthly or more frequently.
Many of these fountains also have a connected app, which reminds you when to clean, replace the filter, and refill the water. Many also record how many times their pet drinks throughout the day, week, and month to monitor their habits and track any changes. A cat drinking a lot more or less water than usual can be a good indicator that something is wrong with its health.
I (and my cats) tested several models (and some of the technologically advanced) automatic pet water fountains available right now to see which ones are worth the money.
Check out our related guides, including the best automatic feeders, the best automatic litter boxes, our favorite stylish cat furniture, and our favorite toys, litter boxes, and other feline supplies. More of a dog lover? We’ve got you covered; Check out our guide The Best Accessories and Tech Essentials for Your Dog.
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Sometimes cats have difficulty consuming enough water, which can cause fatal urinary tract infections and blockages in male cats especially. This is one of the reasons why veterinarians are moving more toward encouraging owners to give their cats at least a partially wet food diet, as this helps them consume more moisture, especially since cats do not consume as much water naturally as dogs. Unlike dogs, cats are generally quite particular about their likes and dislikes, and cats may view stagnant water as potentially harmful. (If the cat was in the wild, stagnant water is more likely to harbor harmful bacteria.) Cats are most attracted to moving water in nature, and these fountains encourage them to drink more by emulating what they are naturally drawn to.
Let’s be honest, many of these sources are more or less the same. I especially looked for the overall design; I’m a fan of stainless steel because of the potential of the porous plastic it houses harmful bacteria. I also prefer a wide tank without high sides to help reduce the chance of mustache fatigue. I prefer fountains that have a small reservoir of water available at all times, in case of low water levels or a power outage. I took into account the ease of installation, recharging and cleaning, as well as the overall design. And of course, there were some that my cats liked right away, and others didn’t seem to like them as much.
I used each of these for a week as the main water source for my cats. As I mentioned, I noted the ease of installation, evaluated parts and filters, and generally compared the different types of water sources: tap, bubbling, or waterfall. Some flows were continuous and some were intermittent (my cats didn’t prefer intermittent). Cats may also become intrigued and want to play with the machine instead of drinking, so be sure to give them time and have another water source nearby until they fully adjust to the new device.