DIY Cat Water Fountain

Your cat can enjoy a tasty drink of water from a moving fountain, and it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money or be a hassle to put together. You can make your own DIY cat water fountain, says Darlys Coleman, who has had cats for more than 15 years. She has made several DIY cat water fountains and finds that they are easy to make.

  1. Materials

    • Understand that a cat water fountain isn't what you might think it is. Coleman reminds you that a water fountain for an animal doesn't need to be a source of water that actually falls or fountains into anything. An animal fountain is designed to keep the water moving in your cat's dish so that she isn't drinking stale water. Therefore, the best cat fountain, according to Coleman, is one that allows the water to remain in motion.

      Gather the materials that you will need to make your own DIY cat water fountain. You will need a stainless steel or ceramic bowl or trough. Troughs work better because they accommodate the other materials better, but you can make a big bowl work. The bowl or trough should have a heavy base so it cannot be overturned by your cat.

      Buy a small fish bubbler from a pet store. This should be a fish bubbler that is designed for a one-gallon or smaller tank. It should be brand new--don't use one that has been used for fish before. This is very important, stresses Coleman, because bacteria can be found in used bubblers.

    Assembly

    • Set up your cat's water bowl in a place where he can have easy access to it. Place it on a flat surface near an outlet. The bowl should be deep enough for the bubbler to be submerged when the bowl is filled with water. Fill up the bowl and set the bubbler at the lowest setting. As it bubbles, the air in the water will help to filter it and any dirt will settle to the bottom of the bowl. Rinse out the bowl every week so your cat can have fresh water.