Pet Fountain Instructions

Your pets need fresh water every day. Simply changing their water is one way, but if you aren't around each day or don't have time, a fountain is a great way to make sure your pet always has the freshest possible water. The easiest fountain to make is one that simply re-circulates the water in the bowl. When water sits in a bowl without movement, it gathers bacteria, bugs,and dirt. Even though your pet will not be getting fresh water, re-circulation keeps the water moving and filters it for debris.

  1. Gathering Materials

    • First, you need a base. This can be a bowl made out of heavy-duty plastic or metal, or even stone. You also need a small pump--best is a simple fish-tank filter pump with a filter built into it, purchased at any pet supply store. Be sure you get the type of filter that can hook to the edge of the tank.

    Making a Plan

    • The fountain will likely be bigger than regular food and water dishes to accommodate the pump, so you'll need extra space in your feeding and watering areas. Next, draw out a plan for the fountain itself. If you are using a glass bowl as your fountain, you can have a suction-cup filter attached to the side of it. If you are using any other type of bowl, simply hook the fish-tank filter to the side, so that the filter sits in the water and is able to recirculate it. Remember, a bowl that has a flat side is best for both the suction cup filter and the hanging filter.

    Setting Up Your Fountain

    • Once you have the materials and the plan, set up your fountain. Make sure it's near a power source so you can plug in the the filter. The fountain should rest on a flat surface so it won't spill. Fill the dish with water and put the fish tank filter, or pump, inside of it. Attach the filter so that it is just below the water level. Turn it on. The water should be sucked into the filter and should trickle back into the bowl. Watch to make sure it doesn't spill over and there aren't any other problems. After you're sure your fountain works properly, you can feel better about leaving it alone.