Yes. There are no harmful materials such as lead or toxic colorants used in our fountains. Because we make our glazes from scratch using only certified food-safe minerals that come from the earth we know exactly and how much of what is in them.
The clay we use is Stoneware, cone 6 clay and is used throughout the world for dinnerware for both hot and cold food and beverages.
The submersible pumps are top grade aquarium pumps designed to be in water with living organisms. See the FAQ below about what kind of pumps we use.
ThirstyCat Fountains are The Easiest of any cat fountain to clean requiring about 5 minutes about every 5 days (depending on your situation) using a sponge and warm soapy water.
If you have hard water, mineral deposits may occur which can be cleaned with vinegar or a vinegar and salt solution. When cleaning the fountain, the pump should be disassembled (easy to do) and cleaned inside. Instructions come with every fountain.
Clean the fountain about every 4 – 7 days depending on your situation (number of cats, their habits, etc.) and completely replace the water at that time. You can top it off between cleanings.
Yes. The entire fountain including the pump and plug can be put on the top shelf of a dishwasher with complete safety. However, because of today’s aggressive detergents we don’t recommend doing this often because we don’t know if this may have an affect on the glazes over time.
Our pumps are BPA free, aquarium grade pumps designed to be completely submerged in water and run 24/7. They are low wattage (about 4) and standard voltage for the US – 110-120V.
As used in aquariums they remain in the water various creatures live in. They are quiet and remarkably reliable and last for many years. We have fountains still running after 15 years with the original pumps.
Elaborate filtration is not only not necessary, it may be actually harmful. A sponge filter that fits over the pump comes with every ThirstyCat fountain. This prevents cat hair, etc. from getting into the pump and lasts at least a year and should last two years. Replacement cost is under $11.
We also offer carbon (activated charcoal) filters for those with unpleasant odors or tases in their water. These cost under $12 and last six to twelve months.
All the Bubble-up fountains have a 99.9% pure copper spout (the same copper used in the plumbing of upscale homes) and the same kind of spout can be added to all the other fountain types at no extra charge. Just request it. Copper is a natural antimicrobial, meaning it helps purify the water, has been known for thousands of years as a natural purifier and inhibits the occurrence of unwanted microbes.* None of the fountains needs the copper to run.Â
Ceramics is a process susceptible to many variations and anomalies. We never offer a fountain that has any defect which compromises functionality or safety but we do have pieces that are not up to our aesthetic standards. There may be glaze inconsistencies or surface flaws and these we offer at reduced prices. When we offer such a piece we normally state what the flaw is and show a picture of it in the product listing.
