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How Often Should I Clean My PET Water Fountain?

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How Often Should I Clean My PET Water Fountain?

As a professional pet sitter, I've cleaned some water fountains and dishes that were long overdue over the past decade. Now, I even consider myself an "expert" at taking them apart, giving them a good scrubbing, and reassembling them like new.

I feel it is necessary to write an article to let pet owners know the precautions of using a drinking fountain to give cats water. Water fountains have many benefits, but they also come with additional responsibilities and higher costs. Additionally, they become dirty and unsanitary much faster than one might think…

What are pet water fountains and what are they made of?


They come in different shapes, sizes and prices and are made of plastic, stainless steel or ceramic, or a combination of these materials. They are both powered by a small electric pump whose function is to create motion using the water in the tank. Some water fountains also come with charcoal filters that temporarily help filter chemicals, hair, and other impurities from the water.

What is their purpose?

We often hear veterinary pet experts say - pets mainly eat dry food and drink insufficient water. There are many reasons to explain this phenomenon. Generally speaking, pets prefer "moving" water, which is like a clear stream of clear water. Flowing and bubbling water also tastes better than stale, stagnant water in your water bowl. Pets may also be reluctant to drink from the dish because they cannot see the water, and may feel whisker tension when drinking.

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What happens if your drinking fountain is not cleaned regularly?

I think a water fountain can give pet owners a false sense of security because the tank is usually large enough to provide several days' worth of water; therefore, it doesn't require as much maintenance as a regular dish. When the water level is low, it's easy to pour a glass of fresh tap water and wait a few days before cleaning. Sometimes, those extra days turn into weeks.

When your cat drinks from the water fountain, bacteria from your cat's mouth can be transferred to the water. Remaining food, dirt, hair, dust, and other airborne bacteria like Serratia marcescens (pink slime) combine with saliva to create an environment for harmful bacteria to thrive. Additionally, bacteria can multiply on pumps, old filters, or uneven surfaces caused by scratches and hard water deposits such as limescale, making bacterial growth not always visible to the naked eye.

What supplies do you need to keep your cat water fountain clean and like new!

Weekly - Clean the drinking fountain thoroughly with hot water and soap at least once a week. Before doing this, the filter should be removed, rinsed and inspected before being put back in place. It's best to use a non-abrasive cloth or sponge to wipe down drinker parts, and use a small brush to clean hard-to-reach corners. You may need to open the pump (by removing the top) to clean out any dirt and pet hair from the impeller (the curved moving part that actually pushes the water through the pump). Make sure there is no soap residue in the water before letting your cat drink.

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Be sure to perform a major cleaning every other month - this is an important step in preventing and treating bacteria that may find a safe haven inside your fountain.
Signs your fountain needs cleaning immediately:

- By rubbing the inside with your fingers, you can feel the sticky outer layer, also known as biofilm (a combination of bacteria and organic matter) that soap and water cannot completely remove.

- The water pump makes an unusual grinding sound.

- There are mosquitoes or flies flying around the fountain or dead in the water.

- Your cat drops a toy (even a cleaner toy!) into the water.

- Red residue or green algae in the fountain.

As you can see, using a water fountain brings many benefits to your cat, but it also comes with additional responsibilities. There is no denying that a consistent cleaning routine is necessary to ensure your cat always has clean water.

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