As cat parents, we've all experienced the sight of our fur babies drinking from our glasses or even the toilet bowl! It's not just a funny and cute quirk; it might also indicate that your fluffy friend has other preferences for the water source you provide. Today, we're diving into a big discussion on this topic—the difference between pet water bowls and pet fountains—to help you decide which one is better suited for your beloved feline.
Water isn't stagnant forever, and not just cats—even humans don't enjoy drinking still water that's been sitting at room temperature for too long. Such water can turn stale within just 24 hours, harboring bacteria, and begin to grow mold after 48 hours.
Why Opt for a Water Fountain
While a water bowl for cats is the most economical way to provide water for your cat—convenient and reasonably priced—we need to remember to change the water every day to ensure it remains unaffected by organisms and algae. As cat parents, we might often forget to do so due to momentary lapses.
This is where the advantage of a water fountain comes in.
Water fountains come equipped with built-in pumps that create a flow of water. The moving water source makes it more difficult for bacteria and mold to grow, while also increasing the oxygen content in the water. Additionally, most pet fountains also come with at least one filter, usually made of activated carbon, to remove microbes, larger debris, and hair from the water.
While water fountains reduce the hassle of daily water changes, they are admittedly not as straightforward to clean as water bowls. Most bowls can be simply placed in the dishwasher or quickly wiped in the sink, whereas fountains require disassembly for cleaning, ensuring each component is dried to prevent leaks, and then reassembly.
However, many pet fountains nowadays are designed with simplicity in mind, consisting of only four parts, making cleaning much more convenient. It's recommended to replace the filter once a month to ensure effective filtration.
Advantages of Smart Water Fountains
While standard water fountains maintain water flow and filter out impurities, adding smart features enhances their effectiveness. For instance, the A1 water fountain comes with two RFID collars and can precisely record each cat's drinking habits through a smartphone app, making it ideal for multi-cat households.
Comparison between Water Fountains and Cat Water Bowls
Of course, all of the above considerations need to be weighed against costs. From this perspective, water bowls are indeed more economical, being a one-time expense unless replacements are needed. Moreover, water bowls generally have a lower price point compared to water fountains.
Water fountains come with higher initial purchase costs and require additional maintenance expenses, such as filter replacements and ongoing electricity bills. They may also produce more noise compared to bowls, but nowadays, most fountains have sleep mode functions, making them nearly silent.
In conclusion, is a water fountain necessary for cats? It's not a must-have, but it's a better choice, eliminating the hassle of daily water changes while maintaining a fresh and flowing water source. After all, most cats prefer flowing water sources.
Water isn't stagnant forever, and not just cats—even humans don't enjoy drinking still water that's been sitting at room temperature for too long. Such water can turn stale within just 24 hours, harboring bacteria, and begin to grow mold after 48 hours.
Why Opt for a Water Fountain
While a water bowl for cats is the most economical way to provide water for your cat—convenient and reasonably priced—we need to remember to change the water every day to ensure it remains unaffected by organisms and algae. As cat parents, we might often forget to do so due to momentary lapses.
This is where the advantage of a water fountain comes in.
Water fountains come equipped with built-in pumps that create a flow of water. The moving water source makes it more difficult for bacteria and mold to grow, while also increasing the oxygen content in the water. Additionally, most pet fountains also come with at least one filter, usually made of activated carbon, to remove microbes, larger debris, and hair from the water.
While water fountains reduce the hassle of daily water changes, they are admittedly not as straightforward to clean as water bowls. Most bowls can be simply placed in the dishwasher or quickly wiped in the sink, whereas fountains require disassembly for cleaning, ensuring each component is dried to prevent leaks, and then reassembly.
However, many pet fountains nowadays are designed with simplicity in mind, consisting of only four parts, making cleaning much more convenient. It's recommended to replace the filter once a month to ensure effective filtration.
Advantages of Smart Water Fountains
While standard water fountains maintain water flow and filter out impurities, adding smart features enhances their effectiveness. For instance, the A1 water fountain comes with two RFID collars and can precisely record each cat's drinking habits through a smartphone app, making it ideal for multi-cat households.
Comparison between Water Fountains and Cat Water Bowls
Of course, all of the above considerations need to be weighed against costs. From this perspective, water bowls are indeed more economical, being a one-time expense unless replacements are needed. Moreover, water bowls generally have a lower price point compared to water fountains.
Water fountains come with higher initial purchase costs and require additional maintenance expenses, such as filter replacements and ongoing electricity bills. They may also produce more noise compared to bowls, but nowadays, most fountains have sleep mode functions, making them nearly silent.
In conclusion, is a water fountain necessary for cats? It's not a must-have, but it's a better choice, eliminating the hassle of daily water changes while maintaining a fresh and flowing water source. After all, most cats prefer flowing water sources.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.