Dehydration is a serious problem in pets, particularly cats. While cats are agile fence climbers and could probably find a source of water if they need to, most pets do not have access to water when they need it. H2O helps maintain the balance of minerals in the cat’s body to keep it healthy. To ensure that proper dehydration of the pet is maintained, provide your companion easy access to a cat drinking fountain in your home. When buying one, look for these features:
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Food-grade materials
The last thing you would want to happen to a beloved pet is to ingest toxins through the water he drinks. Drinking fountains with bowls made from unsafe materials can contain harmful microorganisms that could contaminate and infect the cat. Avoid buying drinking fountains made from plastic materials, particularly those that come from unknown manufacturers. Materials such as plastic, wood, aluminum or bronze should not be used since these have some of the highest contamination risks. Choose pet drinking fountain bowls made from stainless steel or ceramic. These materials are less likely to encourage the growth of bacteria and will keep water fresh-tasting.
Size and capacity of the Cat Drinking Fountain
The size of the cat drinking fountain depends on how many cats you have and how old they are. Young kittens, for example, may not require as much water as adult cats. Aside from age and size, diet is also a good reference regarding the amount of water a cat needs. Cats’ bodies are made of approximately 70% H2O. Dry cat food contains about 10% water while wet pet food has about 70-80% moisture content. If you feed your cats mostly dry food, they will need more H2O to replenish lost fluids than if they eat mostly wet food. Cats on a wet and dry diet will likewise need more water to drink.
If you have more than one pet, it is a good idea to choose a unit with a tiered or circular bowl. This will ensure that pets gain access to the cat drinking fountain whenever they need it, something that smaller or more timid pets will appreciate.
Water flow
Cat drinking fountains can usually be adjusted to refine water flow. Some units even provide different settings to create different effects, such as pooling, streaming and flowing waters for pampered cats to enjoy. Most cats prefer to drink from moving water, although they would not mind taking a few laps off a cool pool given the chance.
Filter system
Regardless of whether it is serving one or several cats, a cat drinking fountain should be kept clean and hygienic to ensure the health of the cat. A good filter system should contain several layers of filters to strain debris and microorganisms that may be present in the water.
Most pet drinking fountains use activated charcoal filters that attract dirt and toxins to keep water clean. Look for a unit that features replaceable filter cartridges so the filter remains fresh and effective against contaminants. Depending on use, filters may be replaced every few weeks or so.
