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Written by Anne Moss
Cats require water, just like any mammal, and plenty of it. You should always encourage your cat to drink, or at least make sure she has everything she needs in the water department. Special care should be given to water consumption by cats that are prone to FLUTD - Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. So, what does a cat need when it comes to drinking water, and why should you consider a cat water fountain?
Well, one thing is simply having water available. Make sure your cat always has free and easy access to her water bowl. It needs to be located in a place that is always accessible, and free from any perceived threats (kids, dogs, or just a noisy washing machine). Always keep water and food bowls away from the litter box; after all, you don't eat and drink next to the toilet and neither should your cat. Above all, make sure that the water bowl is full at all times and keep in mind that water can evaporate rather quickly, especially on hot and dry summer days.
So, why a cat water fountain?
Cats have unique and idiosyncratic preferences when it comes, well, to almost anything really! Even something as simple as having a drink of water. You might think all a cat requires is a bowl of fresh water, but for many cats this just won't do. For reasons that cat behaviorists are still not sure about, many cats have a distinct preference for running water. These cats will jump on counters and approach taps, meowing for a human to turn on the magic flow. One reason for this, could be a preference for the taste of fresher water, another might be the cat's fondness of the motion element. Either way, if you want to provide your cat with a fresh stream of running water at all times, without leaving your tap on incessantly, a cat fountain is the way to go.
A pet water fountain runs on electricity, and need constant maintenance. It's imperative to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions to keep the water fountain going for years. Water fountains also require timely changing of carbon filters, as well as routine cleaning. So... let's take a look at a few of the popular cat fountain models available.
Pet Water Fountains Reviews
Petmate® Fresh Flow Cat Fountain
  Petmate Cat Fountain is the most popular model of cat fountains, according to PetsMart.com. This elegant fountain has its adjustable quiet stream of water flowing down a small ramp to reduce splashing and noise. The Petmate Cat Fountain has 50 oz. of water circulating through a carbon filter to remove impurities and improve taste and it plugs in easily, with a 6' cord into your standard AC outlet.
Click here for the Petmate® Fresh Flow Cat Fountain page on PetsMart.com to read user reviews
Drinkwell Fresh Water Fountain for Cats or Small Dogs
  The Drinkwell Fresh Water Fountain is a neatly designed unit, holding up to six cups of water, which circulate through an activated carbon filter to eliminate impurities. It has a relatively quiet pump and a nice constant stream splashing gently into the attached bowl. As with other water fountains, when you have less than enough water circulating, the fountain becomes louder, but with the Drinkwell Fountain, you can easily add a second reservoir, to ensure your water level stays up for longer.
Click Here for the Drinkwell Fresh Water Fountain on PetsMart
Catit® Drinking Fountain
  With its unique design, the catit fountain catches both human and feline's attention. It has a constant stream of fresh water flowing from the top of a round transparent dome down and around to the base, where it gets circulated through the bowl and back into the dome. This creates for a larger surface of moving water, where more than one pet can drink at the same time - ideal for multi-pet households. This product receives raving reviews from PetsMart.com's customers and their cats, and with 100 fl. oz. in constant circulation, it is relatively low-maintenance and saves on refilling frequency.
Click Here for the catit® Drinking Fountain on PetsMart
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