How to Make Your Own Pet Fountain

Making a water fountain for your pet requires a few simple items that are easily purchased at any store that sells aquarium supplies and bags of glass gems. The container for this pet fountain will be high but don't worry, most cats and small dogs will be instinctively drawn to the sound of running water and will train themselves to put their front paws on the top edge of the bowl to get a drink of water. With their back paws on the floor and bracing with their front paws they'll easily be able to lean in to lap up clean water flowing out of the top of a powered aquarium filter. For those pets too timid to drink this way, set a small wooden box, bottom side up next to the drinking fountain so they can hop up on to it and drink water in the traditional position.

Things You'll Need

  • Whisper internal filter
  • Glass gems
  • Bowl
  • Black binding clip
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Instructions

    • 1

      Look at the back of the powered filter. If the L-shaped hanger is snapped into place, pull it out and snap in a second suction cup that comes in the box. If there is only one suction cup, snap it into the top hole in back. Plug the second hole with silicone glue (let it dry) or a small cork. Both holes must be plugged for the powered filter to operate properly.

    • 2

      Set the drinking container on a work table. A deep plastic, glass or stainless steel bowl with straight sides will work the best. Pour in glass gems in the bottom of the bowl. These are used to bring the powered filter to the right height in the bowl. Keep putting glass gems in the bowl until the lip of the filter where the water will be pumped out of is about an inch above the top lip of the bowl.

    • 3

      Secure the pump to the side of the bowl by sticking the suction cups against the inside wall. Use the binder clip for extra clamping. Clamp it on to the side of the bowl and the top suction cup.

    • 4

      Fill the bowl with water and plug in the powered filter. The filter has a pump built into it which drives the water through the system. The filter removes dirt, hair and bits of pet food that might've dropped into the water while the pet was drinking, keeping the water clean at all times.