Cat water fountains are an excellent way to provide fresh, clean drinking water for your cat. Cats need more than just food and shelter in order to be happy and healthy. They also need access to fresh, clean drinking water at all times of the day. The best way to make sure that your cats have enough water is with a cat fountain!
While some cats may not enjoy drinking from a water fountain, most will. Below are seven reasons to replace their regular water dish with a fountain:
- Movement and Sight
- Smells Better and Contains Less Bacteria
- Tastes Fresh and Cold Every Time
- They are Attracted to the Sound
- It Won’t Bother Their Whiskers Like A Bowl
- Your Cat Will Feel Much Safer Drinking It
- More Hydration and Fewer Vet Bills
#1 Movement and Sight
Cats naturally have great eyesight with a wider field view of about 200 degrees, which is how they can spot prey from afar. However, when it comes to seeing the water in a regular bowl, they can have trouble spotting it. This is due to the fact that their close-up vision is weaker than their long-distance vision, making it difficult for them to see the water level on a regular dish.
The noise on the fountain (which may be too soft for humans to hear) will help a cat know there’s running water nearby. They naturally prefer running water, which is why most will tap their water with their paw before taking a drink.
#2 Smells Better and Contains Less Bacteria
Moving water naturally smells better than stagnant water. Stagnant water can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria, which is not only unappetizing to cats but can also make them sick. A cat water fountain circulates the water and helps keep it clean and smelling fresh.
Cat water fountains also come with one or more filters. A mechanical filter that prevents cat hair, debris, or impurities from entering the pump. As well as a charcoal or other type of filter to remove impurities, keeping it smelling clean.
#3 Tastes Fresh and Cold Every Time
You may have noticed your cat drinking from the toilet or faucet whenever they hear it turn on or flush. It’s because cats are attracted to running water. Maybe it’s because they know the water is filtered and cleaned every time a toilet flushes? Pet fountains have filters that filter out impurities making it clean, fresh, and tasty for your kitty.
#4 They Are Attracted to the Sound
Most fountains are quiet to the human ear, depending on the brand. However, cats can hear sounds at great distances, up to four to five times further away from humans. Naturally, they will be attracted to the sound of the running water, making them want to hydrate more often.
This doesn’t mean you have to get a fountain with a really loud pump. Remember, just because you can’t hear it doesn’t mean your cat won’t.
#5 It Won’t Bother Their Whiskers
You may have heard of “whisker fatigue?” It’s when a cat’s whiskers are touched too much, it causes an onslaught of sensory messages to their brain. When cats eat or drink from regular bowls, they may suffer from whisker fatigue, because their whiskers rub against the sides of the deep bowl.
Cat drinking fountains are designed to prevent your cat’s whiskers from touching, making them want to hydrate more often. Unlike a bowl, your cat won’t stick their head into the bowl, instead, it will drink from the water that spouts upward.
#6 It Will Make Your Cat Feel Safe
In the wild, cats drink from moving bodies of water because it’s cleaner than stagnant ponds. They know that harmful bacteria can’t live in moving water and feel much safer drinking from it.
The constant, cool flowing water is also more palatable to cats and has a more appealing taste that they prefer over lukewarm or even cold water in their bowl.
Cats are hunters by nature so they love the movement of running water! Domesticated cats still have basic wild instincts and feel much safer drinking from a fountain, faucet, or toilet.
#7 More Hydration and Fewer Vet Bills
Okay, this last reason isn’t a cat will love a water fountain, but you will. A properly hydrated feline means they will have an optimal balance of minerals, fluids, and electrolytes. Therefore, their body will be able to function properly from transporting and absorption of nutrients, and properly digest and circulating nutrients throughout the body, resulting in proper health.
This means your cat will experience a more healthy and vibrant life, resulting in fewer vet visits for you. Dehydration in cats is a common problem, especially, since cats can be picky drinkers.
Final Word
While not all cats will enjoy drinking from a water fountain, most will. Hopefully, this helped you understand why cats prefer drinking from one. If you’re having trouble getting your cat to hydrate properly, you may want to consider investing in one.
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