How to Make a Cat Water Fountain

Cats need fresh water, but dishes provide an environment for bacterial growth and can grow stale or stagnant. Running water is a solution. "Animals love to drink from water that flows naturally," says feng shui expert CeliaSue Hecht. Commercial cat fountains are often open containers that allow debris or kitty toys to fall in and water to splash out onto surrounding surfaces. Persian breeder Pat Townsend from New Hampshire has one solution, which is discussed in this article.

Things You'll Need

  • Internal pump/filter
  • Glass beads
  • Glass fish bowl
  • Surge protector
  • Large binder clip
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Buy an upright internal pump and filter for aquariums at a pet or tropical fish store. Select a size and shape to fit your container, and make sure it is an internal pump model. For example, one such model to use is the Whisper Internal Filter 2-10i, which Townsend says on the T-N-T Puff: Home of Persians &Himalayans website she has been using for a 2- to 10-gallon aquarium for her cat fountain since 2001. Attach it to the side of the aquarium with suction cups. Ensure the pump operation is silent. This is important for suspicious or skittish cats.

    • 2

      Use a container heavy enough not to tip over, such as an upright glass fish bowl. Cats should be able to reach the water from a sitting position.

    • 3

      Use glass beads as a base to lift the filter above the top of the container, and filter debris like cat hair to the bottom. You can find beads in garden stores or cut flower shops.

    Set Up

    • 4

      Fill the fish bowl (or a plastic critter container) with glass beads. These can be in a color to suit your décor, taste or the color of your cat.

    • 5

      Remove the L-shape hangar from the back of the pump. Insert a suction cup (supplied with the pump) in each of the two holes in the back of the pump. If there is only one suction cup, put it in the top hole and seal the bottom hole with waterproof caulk, glue or cork.

    • 6

      Set the pump on one side of the fish bowl. It should be high enough so the lip where the water flows out is an inch or so above the bowl rim and points toward the center. Attach one edge of the top suction cup to the edge of the bowl with the binder clip to stabilize the pump.

    • 7

      Fill the bowl half way with filtered water. Plug the pump into a surge protector and turn it on. The water will circulate, but not reach the top of the bowl. The deep bowl will keep water from splashing out. Cats can lap water from the pump and stay dry.

    Maintenance

    • 8

      Add filtered water from the top as needed. Do not allow the pump to run dry.

    • 9

      Clean the system regularly by turning off and unclipping the pump. Remove the pump and wash the glass beads and bowl.

    • 10

      Keep the pump clean. Replace the filter cartridges in the pump as needed.