Fountain water too pure for shelter cats?

Question

We are foster a mother cat and her four kittens. Our friends have two cats which they recently adopted from a shelter. They bought one of those cat drinking foundtain water bowls for them but their cats refused to drink it. They would drink out of the xmas tree water and other water but they would not touch the filtered, pure, running fountain water. Therefore our friends gave us the fountain because they thought that our kittens would like it. Our foster mother drinks from it, but I am worried that the kittens will become acustomed to pure water like our friend's cats were acustomed to regular water and therefore only drink foundtain filtered water. Does anyone know if they will develop a preference to this pure water?

Answer 1

You should test it. Put a bowl of tap water(or what ever water you drink), and the fountain water. see which one they like best.

The answer I think: No. Maybe every other day put out tap water.

Answer 2

WOW! They make those?! That makes so much sense! I always wondered why my cat insists on drinking from the shower and the bath instead of the lovely clean water I've left for him downstairs. I think that sounds like a brilliant idea - cats always go for the most challenging option, eg, if it was between a bowl of ready made food and a running mouse, they'd go after the mouse every time. So the fountain sounds great cos your cat would have the satisfaction of 'catching' his own water - I know that sounds silly but I'm sure there's an element of truth in it.

Answer 3

I don't have cats but two dogs and a filtering pet fountain. My dogs have shown a preference to not drink dirty stale water that has things floating in it but if they get thirsty enough they'll drink what's available. I'm glad they don't just drink the dirty stale water without a second thought that I see in dog bowls left out in front of shops etc unless no other choice but I carry filtered water in a portalbe dog bowl for them (most of the time). I wouldn't want to drink that dirty water either.

I don't consider it harmful if your pet learns to drink the clean water, it's better for them..but survival will kick in if nothing else is available. So don't worry.

Answer 4

Cats and all animals for that matter, have individual personalities, and just like humans they go through phases. Just give them choices and let them decide. I always keep a small water dish in most rooms of the house, they have evolved ability to cope with dehydration, which means they rarely walk past water without a few sips but wont go out of their way to find it, so make it easy for the lazy guys.

Answer 5

Hmm... I'm not sure. But I give my cats filtered water and sometimes I still see them drinking out of the toilet. I don't know what to say. Maybe once the xmas tree is gone and they don't have any other sources of water, they may give it a try and eventually start to like it.

Answer 6

It wasn't that the kittens were acustomed to 'regular' water. It is more likely they were afraid of the moving water or didn't like it moving while they were drinking from it. Our dogs drink purified water from our r.o. but will not use the water fountain my mother in law has.

Answer 7

they might prefer stagnant water -- try just putting out clean water in a bowl that isn't interrupted very often. they might view the christmas tree water as a more natural source and the fountain as weird. usually cats like uninterrupted things just like most people do. but its impossible to explain to them that some water is really better for them than other water.

Answer 8

Dr. Martin Goldstein is a well-known and highly regarded homeopathic veterinarian on the East Coast. In his book (referenced below) he states that if you do nothing else for your pet's health give it filtered water - not tap water.

I use a Brita water filter for my cats' drinking water. I also like the filtered water because I can taste the chlorine in my coffee.

Answer 9

It might be too large for them.

Or the hum from the motor might still be strange. Give it time I think, they'll drink if they're thirsty.

Cats are weird though... They seem to enjoy finding unusual watering holes like Christmas trees holders and fish bowls.

Answer 10

Cats are funny animals. They will drink water anywhere that sounds good to them. I have seen cats drink muddy outdoor water with fresh water inside the house. If they want to drink the water, they will. If not, you can have fun trying and chances are, you will loose.