Why Do Cats Need Water Fountains?
Most paw-rents would have realised this by now, but cats are notoriously picky drinkers with a seeming fondness for the bizarre (e.g., bathtubs and leaking faucets). Having evolved from desert animals, they are also known for their relatively low thirst drive.
As obligate carnivores, cats in the wild receive most of their water intake from live prey and naturally lack instinct to drink from a direct source. Nonetheless, water is just as vital to their health and well-being as it is to ours. Dehydration is especially common in cats with an instinctive aversion to still water and may even result in organ failure in more severe situations.
If your kitty doesn’t seem to be drinking enough or flat out ignores his water bowl, a water fountain might just be the purrfect solution. Read on to find out why.
Note: Cats on an all-dry food diet require substantially more drinking water than those on an exclusive wet food diet.
All-Day Refreshing Goodness
Wondering why some cats prefer drinking from a tap? There’s a simple reason. In the wild, standing water is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and has the potential to make outdoor cats dreadfully ill. To them, running water is not only the ‘safer’ alternative but tends to taste better too.
Cats are very sensitive to taste and may be turned off by the staleness of “old” water. Water loses its freshness after sitting around for too long, and this can deter your cat from drinking even if you diligently refill his water bowl every day.
If your cat enjoys his frequent visits to your bathroom, he’s going to love having his personal water fountain. These compact fountains are designed to provide our cats with a continuous stream of fresh water all-day long, and come with built-in filters to remove odors and dirt and preserve water’s natural good taste.
Most cat fountains also feature adjustable drinking levels that cater to the individual needs (and ever-changing demands) of finicky kitties. Looking for recommendations? Check out this super cool LED water fountain.
‘Whisker Fatigue’ In Cats
If your kitty's persistently avoiding his water bowl, he could also be suffering from whisker fatigue. Cats have incredibly sensitive whiskers, and having the blunt ends touch the sides of the bowl each time he takes a sip can be a rather unnerving experience.
Most cats prefer a large, flowing water source when it comes to their drinking needs, and cat fountains are specifically designed to provide that comfortable, stress-free drinking experience for happy, well-hydrated kitties.
In A Nutshell
So why do cats need water fountains?
- Flowing water is more palatable and may encourage your kitty to drink more.
- Cats are instinctively drawn towards the sound of running water.
- Long-lasting filters remove chlorine, bacteria and debris from your cat’s drinking water.
- Adjustable water flow settings can cater to the needs of different kitties.
Staying hydrated is key to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, so you may want to consider a water fountain if your kitty doesn’t seem to be drinking enough - or simply enjoys playing with running water.