How Does A Cat Fountain Work?
We can say with certainty that cats prefer to drink fresh water that flows from a spring. For this, vets recommend using a cat drinking fountain to make sure they drink enough. This way cats can drink more naturally and with fewer health risks.
Stagnant water is home to many bacteria that can be harmful and even lethal. This is why cats are naturally attracted to running water and, in almost all cases, will be more willing to drink from a cat drinking fountain .
Why is it important to have a cat fountain?
Simply because drinking adequate water is vital for pet health. The cat fountain is more inviting and your feline will be more motivated to drink.
Most people don’t think of water as a nutrient in itself; however, most of the nutrients a cat takes in are absorbed through water. Drinking water is therefore essential for proper nutrition.
Water also carries oxygen to the cells through the bloodstream. In addition, it hydrates the lungs, regulates body temperature and helps eliminate waste substances through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
When cats drink enough water, they keep their skin supple and their coat shiny – these are indicators of good health.
Cats are attracted to moving water
Some cats seem to feel less need to drink than others and this may be due to an adaptation to some desert-like environments. Most of the time, however, this reluctance to drink is due to uninviting water sources, i.e. stagnant water in a container.
When fed wet food, cats’ water requirements will be greatly reduced, but not non-existent. A drinking fountain with fresh water is however recommended, to ensure that the quantity of liquids is sufficient. If dry food is a cat’s primary diet, a source is even more important.
How much water does your cat need?
There are several diseases of the kidney and urinary tract that cats are predisposed to, associated with insufficient water intake. One of the most serious diseases that cats and other pets are prone to is called urethral obstruction.
Many cats are prone to an obstruction of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Worsening of this condition can often lead to death.
If there is not enough water available, or there are no inviting sources of water, a cat may not drink enough. This leads to very concentrated urine and the development of pathologies. Sufficient water intake can prevent this. This is the main role of a cat drinking fountain.
Components and operation of the cat drinking fountain
Pump
All fountains have an electric pump. This element generates the constant movement of water and is responsible for its conservation, as it facilitates its oxygenation.
Filter
It usually consists of activated carbon, used for both public and domestic purification. This allows the filtering of water impurities, such as hair, traces of dust or organic substances that have come into contact with water.
Diffusers
Each model works differently. This allows us to choose how the water flows from the fountain. There are models in the form of wire, waterfall and many others. Choose the one your cat likes best.
Drinking fountain for cats: models
- Made of plastic. The pump is silent, but the water falling onto the platter produces a plastic sound. Cleaning is difficult and can harbor bacteria, given the material it is made of. They are often not very resistant.
- Made of stainless steel. This is a very interesting option. They are relatively easy to clean, do not scratch and do not harbor bacteria.
- In ceramic. They have a water slide that fills the bowl. They are really beautiful to look at. The only possible downside is that they are made in China and there is no way to know if the glaze they are coated with contains lead.
