FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for cats

Ceramic and stainless steel fountains are more hygienic, do not scratch and do not absorb odours, and ceramic ones are heavy and stable. Plastic ones are lighter and often have more features, but they need careful washing and replacing once scratched.

Filters are usually changed every two to four weeks, but the manufacturer gives the exact interval. With several cats, hard water or a filter that clogs quickly with hair, it may need changing more often.

Filters usually include a foam to catch coarse dirt and hair, activated carbon to improve smell and taste, and ion exchange resin that reduces limescale. Some fountains have only a foam in front of the pump.

Universal or third-party filters sometimes fit if their size and shape match the fountain exactly. The wrong filter can let water bypass it or interfere with the pump, so compare dimensions and model compatibility before buying.

It is worth changing the water every few days and taking the fountain apart and washing it about once a week. If slimy deposits or pink stains appear on the sides, wash it more often.

Unplug the fountain, take out the pump, open its cover and remove the impeller. Brush off hair and deposits with a small brush, rinse and reassemble; do not put the pump in the dishwasher unless the manufacturer allows it.

Usually the pump hums when the water level is too low and it draws in air, or when hair and limescale have built up on the impeller. Fill to the mark and clean the pump; if that does not help, the pump may need replacing.

Many pumps overheat and fail quickly without water, so the water level needs checking regularly. Some fountains have a safety feature that switches off the pump or gives a warning when the water runs low.

At first leave the usual bowl nearby and let the cat get used to the new object. Try a different flow mode, switching off the light or another location; some cats are afraid of the sound or the flow, while others simply prefer a different type of fountain.

For one cat a fountain of about one and a half to two litres is often enough; for several cats a larger one is worth choosing. A larger capacity lasts longer and needs refilling less often, but the water still has to be changed regularly.

Fountain pumps are usually very low power, so even running round the clock they use little electricity. Models with lights or extra features may use somewhat more.

Most fountains run on a low-voltage adapter, so they are safe when used as instructed. Route the cable so the cat cannot chew it, and always unplug the fountain before cleaning it.

Hide the cable behind furniture, fix it to the wall or run it through a protective tube or cable cover. Kittens and playful cats especially like chewing cables, so check that the cable is not damaged.

Yes, there are fountains with a rechargeable battery, and some turn on the pump only when the cat approaches, so they last longer. They are handy for placing away from a socket, but the battery needs regular charging.

The fountain switches on when the cat comes close and off after a while with no movement. This means less pump wear, energy saving and less noise, though some cats are startled by the sudden flow.

Pink or orange slime is a bacterial film that thrives in damp places and forms quickly if the fountain is washed rarely. Take the fountain apart, scrub every part thoroughly with hot water and a brush, and replace the filter.

Limescale can be dissolved by soaking the fountain parts and pump in diluted vinegar or a citric acid solution, then brushing them and rinsing very thoroughly with clean water. Make sure no acid smell is left before refilling.

Clean tap water that people drink is usually fine. If the water is very hard, filtered water can be used so less limescale builds up on the pump. There is no need to use distilled water all the time, and change the water regularly.

If tap water is fit for people to drink, it is usually fine for a cat too. Some cats dislike the smell of chlorine, in which case filtered water, water left to stand a while or a fountain with a carbon filter may help.

A fountain helps but should not be the only water source: the pump can fail, the power can go off or the water can evaporate. Leave several plain water bowls too, and for longer trips arrange for someone to visit the cat.