Pet Water Fountains?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a Petmate fresh flow water fountain for my cats because it's supposed to encourage your cats to drink more. Does anyone have one of these? Does it work or is it a waste of money? Can you recommend a specific brand?
Thanks!

Answer 1

My kitty refused to drink water out of anything but the bathroom sink until we bought her a kitty fountain. She seems to really like it. I cathc her using it several times a day. We have the petmate fountain. Every now and again you have to replace the filters. They can be found online and are pretty inexpensive. Also, you have to make sure that they fountain and reservoir are filled at all times otherwise it makes a horrible sucking sound. Lastly, you have to give it a good cleaning every now and again because kitties shed. Hope that helps!

Answer 2

I have a Drinkwell fountain, and I don't recommend it for several reasons.

First and most important is my vet told me not to use it. Actually she told me not to ever use any kind of plastic bowl, as they harbor bacteria and lead to a condition called chin acne. This wasn't hypothetical--she told me it as she was treating my cat for chin acne from the fountain. I had to hot pack his chin to bring up the pus to drain it, and neither one of us was happy about this. The first thing she asked when I brought him in was, "You are using plastic bowls, aren't you?"

Some of the other reasons are more specific to Drinkwell, which is the only one I've used. Mine is older, so there may be design changes since I got mine (although mine was a recently redesigned model when I bought it).

They are IMPOSSIBLE to clean if you don't have a dishwasher, and not that great even with one. They are full of all kinds of bends and nook and crannies. The pieces are big and don't fit well in the dishwasher. They practically need a cycle just to themselves. The slime that quickly accumulates on them doesn't come off well even in the dishwasher.

You may think that because you can put a filter in them, they don't need to be cleaned often, but that's wrong. All the bits of food stuck to the cat's mouth after they eat fall in the fountain. They sink to the bottom, too big to circulate and be filtered, and slowly dissolve. The dissolved bits coat the bowl and leave a slime. It has to be cleaned frequently, and it's a pain.

On the Drinkwell, the water is circulated by a pump that fits in the back. The pump needs to come out for cleaning. There is a little (very little) notch that you put your finger in to try to bend your finger in unlikely ways and work it under the pump to rotate it get it out. It's almost impossible, and it HURTS. It's an absolutely stupid design.

Also, on the Drinkwell the water actually free falls (on others I think it flows down a ramp). This is probably what the cat prefers, but it makes noise. You can adjust it high to low, but it always makes some noise. The low is OK, but my husband refused to have the thing in the house on any higher setting.

They don't actually "purify" the water, they just filter it through a mesh with charcoal in it. The filters are optional and not cheap.

You're better off with a ceramic water bowl, and changing the water several times a day.

Answer 3

I bought my cat (Tommy) one for Christmas ... it's all wrapped up, under the tree.

Pet mate Fresh Flow takes all the impurities out of the water, so, it's like bottled water ... for your kitty. My cat used to drink from a leaky faucet, then I got it fixed ... and he drinks really small amounts from his bowl now. I thought if I could find something with a continuous flow, he'll maybe drink a bit more ... so I'm hoping.

I think the Pet mate will be a good thing ... it's supposed to encourage a cat to drink more, as well as purify the water ... so, all around, would led to a more healthy kitty. Give it a try ... or drop me a line after Christmas, and I'll let ya know how well it works. Have a great Xmas ......

Answer 4

Some cats really like running water, so yes, it would encourage them to drink more. My cats prefer to drink room-temperature water. I have water feeder for them that only dribbles when you first fill it, and sometimes they're interested in the running water, most times they stare at it until it stops flowing and then drink once it settles. If your cats like to drink from the sink or the tub, then it might be a good idea. If dust, cat food, pet hair, etc. tends to find its way into the cats drinking water, then a flowing water feeder may be a good idea. Before you invest, try putting out additional bowls of water around your house and see if that's enough to encourage them to drink more.

Answer 5

I have the Petmate Deluxe fountain, it has the extra water bottle on it so you don't have to fill it as often. My seven cats LOVE it, they won't drink standing water anymore, it has to be running water. I get the filters on Ebay, much cheaper, and they have started drinking so much water now, I fill it 5-6 times a day. I love the Petmate because it's easier to take apart and clean, the filter doesn't get as much algae on it in the summer, and I can put everything but the water pump in my dishwasher. It's GREAT!

Answer 6

We have a Drinkwell and the cats really like it. It's easy to clean and you can buy new filters at Petsmart (and probably other places.) It's important to make sure the water line doesn't drop below the top of the intake valve, and if you have a cat who put a spider in it, like mine did, it can cause the intake valve to clog. It's easily fixed. It can be a bit noisy at night. If you're out of the house for more than six hours and the cats are in, I would just unplug it.

Answer 7

They will love it, cats love catching water. My use to jump up on the sofa to reach the small table top one I had. But they got water all over. Bought one of the water fountains for them and they love it so does my dog.... But I would suggest you put a old rug for something under it their playing could get out of control.

Answer 8

we got one a few years ago, our cat loved it. She loves water though. We have to have three water bowls at all times. I will say the ***** of it was cleaning it! If a piece of food got in their or dust or insects it got nasty in hours. If you're a dilligent cleaner then no worries. If not, you may want to rethink. But again, our cat loved it!

Answer 9

have one ..cats love fresh flowing water, some of my cats like to play in it too, but yes they do like it alot, make sure you change the filter alot

Answer 10

I don't have one myself but I have heard they keep the water cleaner rather than when it just stands there. Still water is also a breeding ground for parasites if food acidently drops in the water.