Pump Cleaning Explanation

Cat water fountain pumps are very simple and cat fountain pump care is easily done. The fountain pumps are comprised of the nozzle which goes into the top, the screen with the dial on the front, the impeller cover and the impeller. The image above shows; 1, the pump entire; 2, with the nozzle removed; 3, the front screen removed; 4, the impeller cover removed; 5, the impeller removed. All pieces simply pull off or lift out.

The impeller is magnetically held in but lifts out easily. 

Removing the impeller, cleaning it and inside the impeller cavity is vital to the maintenance of your cat fountain pump. If your pump stops working it is almost certainly because either the impeller well has debris in it and is impeding the turning of the impeller, or mineral deposits have built up on the impeller and the shaft it fits over. 

To clean inside the impeller cavity use a tooth pick or Q tip. For mineral deposits make a solution of one tbs. salt and one cup white vinegar.  This creates a very mild acid. Put the impeller in this and put a little in the impeller cavity for a couple of minutes. This dissolves the mineral deposits. Sometimes more time may be needed and it won’t hurt to soak them overnight. In almost every case this is all that is necessary and the pumps continue working for years more. We endeavor to make our cat drinking fountains as simple, yet effective and beautiful as possible. Most pumps last well over ten years.

Below is the fountain cleaning video. It shows as well how to clean the pump and this link shows how to deep clean using vinegar and salt.