Cat water fountains
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Cat water fountains
| Mon, 06-27-2005 - 9:36am |
I have heard really good things about the water fountains for cats. Do any of you have one and if so, do you like them? Are they worth the money? I'm thinking about getting my baby one as I heard that they are good when treating a kidney infection. Would like consumer reviews, if possible. Thanks!

I don't have one but just about everyone
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I've had one for about 4 years, and my cats love it. I usually have to fill the resevoir every other day. But they really like the fountain. The only problem I have, is cleaning it. Not that it's difficult to clean. Just that it's difficult to get ME to clean IT. Which reminds me...
Oh, by the way, my mom also has one, and her 2 cats and 1 chinese crested dog ALL love it. Mom's one cat is in early kidney failure, and that fountain helps her a good bit. (Especially if we drop a few icecubes in it, to make the water extra cold.)
** Noelle
Hello. I have 3 fountains at home for our cats. I have had and used them since about 1999.
I think they are worth it. There are 3 brands out there now, PetMate, DrinkWell and another whos name escapes me. I have tried and tested each one over the years and stand behind the drinkwell. I now sell them on eBay, Amazon and a store off my website as well. Since I will only sell items I have trested, like and feel is best, I only carry Drinkwell units. They are a bit more expensive than the other 2 brands, but they aew also the only ones that actually have a stream (waterfall) of water that is adjustable. No priming, no special anything. Just put in the charcoal filter, add water (fill optional reserves if you own one) and plug in. It is that simple. I also use ONLY distilled water in the fountain for the cats. Why? well, I bought a fountain initially for ^Itchy^, who suffered greatly from bad FLUDT. The continually running water actually got him to drink a lot more water, and since tap and spring water can contain minerals and other things, distilled was the way to insure that he wa snot getting more minerals (which can help set off the FLUTD). The fountain worked so well that is FLUDT no longer put him in the hospital for 4 days at a time, but he never returned to the vet with more than a simple 1 visit FLUDT issue after. Plus all the cats LOVE the fountains, and each drinks from them in their own special way.
Here is what I say about the fountain in my eBay listing. Part is from the manufacturer and part is me. Also you are welcome to go to my website, then to my store and check the fountains out. If you like the Drinkwell and decide that is the brand you like, email me. If you find it for less than I have it in my store for I will match any price you find. But do your homework on the fountains. Each of the 3 brands are very different and have unique pros and cons. Perhaps consumers reports will have a good review of the brands? I never looked, but you may want to. If you do not get the magazine, you can go to their website and join the web lookup (5+ years of all their frviews) for a single month some small amount like $3.95 or $5.95. Then use the login to look up more things for yourself so the money is not wasted.
David and the CoolCyberCats
Forever in my heart
Enter YOUR Cool Cat! A winner each month!
Cats nap, only humans put them to sleep: Sterilize, don't euthanize.
My cats love their fountain.
Noelle,
If you hate cleaning it may I suggest buying another? THough we have 2 out, we own 3. I prep the 3rd, then remove one of the others and put the new one down. I can then put the other old one in the washing machine and I am not rushed to clean it. Also, if you use tap water you will likely get algea and other slimy stuff in the water or filter over time. Distilled water does not do this for a long time. I fill the reserve and the unit and clean it about every 2 weeks.
Also Veterinary Ventures (assuming you have a drinkwell) now had cleaning brushes designed for the fountains.
Itchys, Electras & Copycats eternal flame
(^Itchy^)
David and the CoolCyberCats
Forever in my heart
Enter YOUR Cool Cat! A winner each month!
Cats nap, only humans put them to sleep: Sterilize, don't euthanize.
I've thought about buying another. Drinkwell was the one I wanted, but I ended up buying PetMate. The decision was based on what I could get at my local petstore. It wasn't feasble for me to have to order refill filters from a catalogue or online. My PetMate has worked fine, except that my motor died. Luckily, a friend who had a fountain, had dismantled hers after adopting a large dog, so she gave me her fountain for "parts." I've been considering purchasing a Drinkwell, though, because I found they are carried by a petstore near where I work. Drinkwell better simulates the bathroom faucet.
Yes, I put tap water in the fountain, though it HAS been sitting in a bottle in the fridge, so it's cold. (I know that doesn't get the chemicals out.) And I do get the pink stuff growing in it on occassion. I also occassionally get pieces of catfood, and sometimes litter floating in it. (Don't know how the litter gets there, and the cats aren't talking.) I didn't know the fountain could go in the dishwasher, or I'd have been WAY better about cleaning it. (I hate washing dishes by hand.)
** Noelle
Noelle,
Well, the offer for be matching a better price (assuming not below my cost) stands for you too. I have and sell the filters, brushes, resviors (50 & 70oz) and the fountains.
As to litter in the water.... I bet it is stuck between your kitties pads and they play with the water. Mine do this, but the fountain I have seems to catch the litter and trap it in the vents or filter.
FYI, the drink well is the only of the 3 actually made and assembled in the USA. COme CHristmas Veterinary Ventures claims to be coming out with a new fountain and it will be made in the USA and the current will move off shore to be made in China like the other two brands (to lower the cost). I have no idea what the new one will be like though.
David and the CoolCyberCats
Forever in my heart
Enter YOUR Cool Cat! A winner each month!
Cats nap, only humans put them to sleep: Sterilize, don't euthanize.
Thanks. I'll have to see about getting a new fountain. Right now, a new fountain would fall below new printer on the purchase list...which falls below, oh, mortgage and utilities, at the moment. Bills should just pay themselves.
** Noelle