How do I get Sleeves to use Cat-It?

Hi guys, not sure if this is the correct place for this thread...
Sleeves is a big tap drinker. He loves the flowing water and very very rarely drinks from his bowl. Whenever Im in I leave the kitchen door open and he goes straight to the sink and waits for me to turn the tap on. But I was getting worried that he wasnt drinking when we were out, as I always shut the door, I don't trust him in there on his own just with the knives etc... don't want him hurting himself, plus I can't leave the tap running for hours on end. Anyway I bought him one of those Cat-It fountains, which I think is great but he's not interested.
Ive even sat on the floor with him beside the fountain and tried to encourage him to drink from it by putting the water on my finger and letting him lick it off.
Has anyone had this problem before? Do you have any tips or just think its a case of leaving it running and waiting til one day he just discovers its there and uses it?
Thanks everyone

Sorry to laugh, but I had exactly the same predicament!

Tibby loved drinking from the tap and had no interest what-so-ever in the fountain!!

Then, when Willow moved in, he used the fountain and Tibby and Molly followed suit!! They all drink from it now!!

Sorry I can't offer any tips, but I do know quite a few people have a Cat=It water feature in their kitchens that never get used by their kitties!!

Are you sure it is "running" water that he wants.....or "COLD"?
Both of my kitties love cold water. I have a self waterer (Upside down pop bottle that feeds into a bowl) I fill the bottle 1/2 way with water and freeze it (keep a few in the freezer at all times) then finish filling it with water before putting it on the bowl. It stays cold for hours and my cats love to drink from it. Toby will even push the dish towards wherever i am and cry if the ice melts and the water becomes room temp. Usually changing it twice a day works well.
Linda

Did you wash it to remove and packaging particles/smells? Maybe that it smells funny or is too dirty for him to us.

I like the ice idea, you might have figured out how my cats brain works without even meeting him Im impressed!! I think I'll give that a try, I'll have to read your post again very carefully to figure out how you actually do it though as Im not sure I follow...
I only bought it last Thurs and washed it thoroughly before putting it out for him. It says to change the water once a week and clean it, but maybe you are right and it might not smell 'normal' yet until its had a few washes.
We are getting a new kitten next week (can't wait!!!!) so maybe he will use it and Sleeves will copy him... fingers crossed!
He's a fussy little beast but I love him

Originally Posted by stampit3d

Are you sure it is "running" water that he wants.....or "COLD"?
Both of my kitties love cold water. I have a self waterer (Upside down pop bottle that feeds into a bowl) I fill the bottle 1/2 way with water and freeze it (keep a few in the freezer at all times) then finish filling it with water before putting it on the bowl. It stays cold for hours and my cats love to drink from it. Toby will even push the dish towards wherever i am and cry if the ice melts and the water becomes room temp. Usually changing it twice a day works well.
Linda

Click to expand...

How do you get the bottle to stand up?

I flicked the water on to Chloe then she realized it was there, I don't think they can see the water. Then she showed the others how to do it.

What sort of kitten are you getting?

Originally Posted by Anakat

I flicked the water on to Chloe then she realized it was there, I don't think they can see the water. Then she showed the others how to do it.

What sort of kitten are you getting?

Click to expand...

I tried that too when we were sat on the floor beside it. Didnt work, like a say fussy beggar!
I havent seen the kittens yet, as the mum cat is apparently very over-protective of her kittens so the lady likes people just to come and spend some time on the day then take one away. Im fine with that as Im sure we'll know who we want as soon as we see him/her.
She said theres 5 tortoise shell and one jet black one! Im sure they're all gorgeous

Maybe put the Cat It in the kitchen sink to start, then gradually move it. You might be able to trick him that way.

ah ha you've done this before....

It takes them some time to adjust to the fountain, to the noise. Mine love their fountains now, but at first they wanted nothing to do with it.

I have used ice in the past as well, and it worked. If your kitty likes drinking from the tap, and Drinkwell fountain would probably be better for him because that's what it simulates. A Cat-It is more like licking the condensation off of a glass.

I got a Cat it fountain a while back, Rice loved it, Boss loved it, and lady loved it.
Lady licked the globe too hard all the time, and eventually broke it. They loved it while it lasted though.