Your cat would rather drink from the faucet, your glass or the flower vase… but snubs their bowl? They're not being picky: they're following their instincts. Here's why, and how a water fountain can change their habits.
Why cats often don't drink enough
Domestic cats descend from a desert animal used to getting much of its water from prey. As a result, they naturally have a fairly weak sense of thirst. Cats that mostly eat dry kibble are especially affected.
Many cats are also wary of still water. In the wild, stagnant water is more likely to be contaminated than running water. That explains their love of a dripping faucet…
What a fountain really does
- Moving water, more appealing to most cats, which encourages them to drink more often.
- Filtered water: the filter traps hair, dust and debris.
- Fresher, oxygenated water compared with a bowl that sits all day.
- A large reservoir: handy if you're away for a weekend.
Good hydration is one of the basics of feline well-being. If your cat suddenly drinks much more or much less than usual, talk to your vet: it can be a sign of a health problem.
Corded or cordless?
Classic fountains have to stay plugged in, which limits where you can put them and leaves a cord some cats love to chew. Cordless fountains run on a rechargeable battery: place them wherever you like, away from the food bowl and the litter box (cats prefer to drink away from where they eat).
Our Félicosy cordless fountain goes further with a motion sensor: the water starts flowing when your cat comes near. The result: longer battery life, less noise and a pump that lasts longer.
How to choose a fountain: our criteria
- Capacity: plan on about 2 to 3 L (0.5 to 0.8 gal) for 1 to 3 cats.
- Noise level: choose a quiet pump, especially in a small apartment.
- Easy cleaning: few parts, easy to rinse under the tap.
- Filter availability: make sure refills are easy to find.
Care: the right habits
- Change the water and rinse the reservoir once or twice a week.
- Replace the filter every 2 to 4 weeks depending on how many cats you have (replacement filters available on the fountain page).
- Clean the pump once a month to prevent limescale and hair buildup.
Tips to help your cat adopt the fountain
- Put it in a quiet spot, away from the litter box.
- Leave their old bowl next to it for a few days during the transition.
- Show them the flowing water by running your finger through it: curiosity will do the rest.
Read next: cat eating too fast? How to slow them down. Explore our feeding and hydration selection.