As seen with increase of automatic litter box, automatic feeding machine, pet trackingand now cat fountains, technology has made it possible for us to closely monitor our pets and ensure they are cared for without the need for much physical labor.
Cat water fountains encourage cats to drink more water, which helps their overall health. I have noticed my cats consuming more water since switching to the water fountain. As a helicopter pet mom, I've become a fan of water fountains.
While automatic sprinklers are better for your cat's overall water consumption, they require a little more effort and money. Instead of filling a bowl, these take a little more grease — but it's worth it for your cat's health. Along with regular filling and cleaning, you will need to disassemble the fountain to clean all the parts, including using a brush for the bowl and tube. You may also have to disassemble the engine for a deep clean because of mineral buildup. They also come in different filter cartridges with specific shapes for the brand's fountain, requiring you to purchase and replace the filter, usually monthly or more frequently.
Many of these fountains also have connected apps that remind you when to clean, change filters, and refill water. Many also track how many times your pet drinks during the day, week, and month to monitor your pet's habits and watch for any changes. A cat drinking more or less water than usual can be a good sign that something is wrong with their health.
I (and my cats) tested many different models of automatic sprinklers (and some technologically advanced automatic sprinklers) available for pets to see which ones were worth the money. bowl of rice.
Check out our related guides like Best automatic feeding machine, Best automatic litter box, Our favorite cat furnitureAnd Our favorite cat toys, litter boxes, and other cat supplies. Another dog person? We've got you covered; our view The best accessories and tech essentials for your dog instruct.
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Cats sometimes have difficulty consuming enough water, which can lead to risks UTIs are deadly and especially congestion in male cats. This is one of the reasons why veterinarians are increasingly encouraging owners to feed their cats at least a partially wet diet, as this helps them consume more moisture, especially since cats do not naturally consume as much water as dogs. Unlike dogs, cats often have quite specific likes and dislikes, and cats may view standing water as potentially harmful. (If the cat is in the wild, stagnant water is more likely to contain harmful bacteria.) Cats are more attracted to moving water in nature, and these fountains help encourage them to drink more by simulating what they are naturally drawn to.
Let's be honest, a lot of these fountains are quite similar. I paid particular attention to the overall design—I'm a fan of stainless steel because of its ability to accommodate foam plastic harmful bacteria. I also prefer a wide reservoir without high sides to help reduce the risk tired. I like fountains that have a small water tank available at all times, just in case the water level is low or the power goes out. I took into account the ease of setup, refilling and cleaning as well as the overall design. And of course, there are some things that my cats like right away, and some that they don't seem to like so much.
I used each of these for a week as my cats' primary water source. With that said, I noted the ease of setup, reviewed the components and filters, and generally compared different types of fountains—faucets, bubblers, or waterfalls. Some streams are continuous and some are intermittent (my cats don't like interruptions). Cats may also get curious and want to play with the machine rather than drink water, so make sure to give them time and keep another water source around until they are fully acclimated to the new device.