Cat Water Drinking Fountains or Cat Drinking Bowls?

Hydration in cats is just as important as it is in humans, and possibly even more so given the fact that most cats (when they are not snoozing!) are often so physically active. On a basic level, water is needed to replace all the liquids that are lost through the day. This is necessary for healthy circulation, digestion and waste removal. Signs that your cat is dehydrated might include a loss of energy, panting, loss of appetite, sunken eyes and dry gums. Long term dehydration can even lead to more serious problems. So, the big question is: how do you make sure that your cat takes enough water on board? The answer to this question may well involve a cat water drinking fountain!

What about cat drinking bowls?

Water bowls are of course another option when it comes to your cat's hydration. They offer a simple and effective method of making sure there is always water to be drunk for your cat. You can place your cat food bowl with the water bowl together and your cat will have a full feast to enjoy. With that said, there may be some things that are worth considering before you commit to the water bowl over the drinking fountain.

Are cat water bowls safe for cats?

Cat bowls are safe, but only if you are thoroughly washing them after every use with hot, soapy water, or in a dishwasher on the highest setting. If you are washing them every day in this fashion, then they will be safe for your cat to drink from, and this goes for your cat's food bowl too. However, if you are not washing them out every day, then harmful bacteria might be building up in the bowl which will eventually make your cat sick. In particular, if a cat's saliva and food residue mix together and it is not washed out of the bowl, then this substance can end up creating something that people refer to as biofilm. This slippery substance will end up coating your cat's teeth and hardening into tartar and plaque. If this is not treated, then it can lead to gum disease, which in turn can lead kidney, liver or even heart problems.

It should also be said that stainless steel and ceramic bowls are far more safe for cats to drink from than plastic bowls. Plastic is more likely to develop tiny scratches on its surface. These grooves will in turn be more likely to collect bacteria which cannot easily be washed away. If you cannot clean the bowl thoroughly because of all these tiny surface cracks, then the bowl will become a breeding ground for all sorts of nastiness such as Salmonella and E. coli. On top of that, it has been shown that in BPA plastic bowls, certain harmful chemicals can leak into your cat's food and water over long usage periods. Stainless steel and ceramic bowls, however, are non toxic, much more durable and have a smooth, robust surface which is more easy to sanitise through normal washing.

Benefits of cat drinking fountains

So, how do cat drinking fountains offer a solution to these problems? Well, in terms of the first question of hydration, you will find that the sound and the movement of the water will be more likely to encourage your cat to drink more. Most cats don't drink enough water and indeed it is fair to say that they can be a bit stubborn about this! Cats notoriously don't like to show weakness even when they are in quite some pain, so they are not likely to make a big show of being too thirsty. For this reason, it is beneficial to do anything you can to encourage them to drink little and often, instead of when they are already very dehydrated. The continuous flow of water will remind them to take a sip as they bounce past. Plus, the slightly higher position of the fountain means that your cat will have a more comfortable stance as they drink.

In terms of hygiene, the benefit of the fountain is that it provides an ongoing flow of filtered water. This clean water will not be sitting in a bowl that might be gathering bacteria. On top of that, it is easy to forget that cats have a far better sense of smell than humans, so the cleanliness of the water is not just beneficial in terms of health, but also in terms of enjoyment. Clean water is far more attractive for cats than stale water as it will not have any additional odours mixed in with it. This also goes for the taste of the water. Many drinking fountains for cats also keep the water at a refreshingly cool temperature, which will be especially thirst quenching for a cat which has just been jumping about and getting their heart rate up.

You should be aware, though, that it is important to make sure you are still cleaning your fountain. It does not need to be cleaned nearly as often as a bowl does, as the water does not sit still and it is moved through a filter, so it is less likely that bacteria is going to gather. However, giving your fountain a wash every week is always recommended, just so that you can be sure that any bacteria does not end up lining the surface of the drinking fountain.

Cat water drinking fountains at Cuddles

If you do want to treat your cat to a drinking fountain, then make sure to check out the range of cat drinking fountains by Catit that we have here at Cuddles. Many of the designs are just as adorable as they are reliable. Additionally, these systems are packed full of the latest technology, so that they will provide multistage filtration, removing any debris, odours and impurities and giving your cat a continuous stream of clean water. The drinking fountains we have available also will let you know when water levels are running low so that you can always top it up before it runs out.