How to Make Your Own Cat Fountain

Cat water fountains are often used for cats with longer hair, such as Persians. Long-haired cats often get their coats drenched when drinking from a traditional water bowl and a cat water fountain allows long-haired cats to drink and stay dry. Commercial cat water fountains are available at your local pet store, but these are usually expensive and hard to clean. Luckily, with a few supplies, you can make your own cat water fountain for less, and it will be easy to take apart and clean.

Things You'll Need

  • One 2- to 10-gallon fish tank filter
  • Glass floral beads
  • Water
  • One 5-gallon glass fish bowl
  • Large binder clip
  • Filtered water
  • Surge protector
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Instructions

    • 1

      Assemble a standard fish tank filter according to package directions. The filer you choose should be shaped so that the filtered water is pushed out of the top, causing a waterfall effect. You can use a filter for a two to a 10 gallon fish tank. The filter you choose should have an internal pump and run quietly.

    • 2

      Rinse glass beads under running water to remove any debris or dust. Drain the off water. You can find glass beads at your local craft store. You want beads that are large and smooth, similar to those used in floral arrangements.

    • 3

      Place your clean glass beads into a large, glass fish bowl. The amount of beads you need depends on the size of your fish bowl. The beads help to keep larger particles out of your cat's fountain, and hold up the filter so it sits at the proper height in the bowl. The fish bowl should be a nice-sized bowl; the exact size is up to you, though 2- to 5-gallon bowls tend to work best. You can find glass fish bowls at your local pet store.

    • 4

      Place your filter into the fish bowl so that the top of the filter---where the water escapes---is even to, or just above, the lip of the bowl. The waterfall should be facing inward, so the water that is pouring out of the filter goes back into the bowl. Place the bottom of the filter on the glass beads. If you find the filter is sitting to high or low, adjust the number of beads in the bowl accordingly. If your filter has suction cups on it, use those to attach it to the side of the fish bowl. You can also use a large binder clip to attach the filter, if necessary.

    • 5

      Pour water into the bowl. It is best to use filtered water. Do not fill the bowl more than half way.

    • 6

      Place the fish bowl/water fountain on a flat, stable surface, before plugging in your filter. For safety, plug it into a surge protector.

    • 7

      Refill the bowl, as needed.