Need A Cat Fountain?
The short answer is yes, if you have a cat, you probably do need a cat fountain. But it’s not unequivocal. Does your cat seem to drink amply from his water bowl or have another source of running water? Is at least part of his diet comprised of wet or raw food? Does he appear healthy, is his skin elastic, his fur soft and shiny, his eyes bright and clear? Is he sprightly and as energetic as he should be for his age? If yes, then you probably do not need a cat fountain. But it still might be a good idea.
It is well documented now and widely known throughout the vetererinarian world that adequte water is vital to cats’ health and that moving water is far more attractive to cats than standing water. Because your cat is healthy now does not ensure that he will remain so as he ages. A source of moving, recirculating water is an excellent preventative for the various UI ailments to which cats are liable, and this too is prescribed by vets.
Before any further discussion on the benefits of a cat fountain, it needs to be stressed that it makes a great deal of difference on what kind of cat fountain because there are many that are in fact worse for your cat than not having one at all. This refers of course to the many plastic cat fountains with very attractive price tags. You’ll read this everywhere simply because it is true – don’t even consider buying one no matter what it promises because what it delivers is a nightmare of frequent cleaning of slime, at best, chin acne is likely and and more horrific ailments at worst. There are a plethora of such fountains urging your purchase. Just don’t even go there.
What Kind Of Cat Fountain Is Safe?
Ceramic fountains are the best choice but not any ceramic fountain. Those not made in the United States are nearly all made in molds of low density clay and glazed with unknowable minerals. They are probably safe but the word probably doesn’t exacty inspire confidence.
Naturally we advocate ThirstyCat fountains, and those we know to be the highest quality fountains worldwide, but there are other ceramic fountains made in the US that are equally as safe. They are not of the same quality but they are safe and won’t cause slime or give your cat chin acne. The two brands we are aware of are Ebi and Glacier Point. A way, by the way, to tell if a fountain brand’s fountains are made in a mold is if they have only one or two models. All handmade makers have a variety of styles. Glacier Point’s seem to be mold-made but we believe them to be quality fountains.
Most stainless steel fountains are also a safe choice so long as they don’t contain a lot of plastic parts, and some do, and they can have other drawbacks too so read the reviews before purchasing.
The Esoterica Of Cat Fountains
There are other, perhaps less obvious reasons for having a cat fountain, apart from the genuine health benefits which you will be witness to. In this we refer only to ThirstyCat fountains because we only know it to be true of our fountains.
Many customers have told us about and or sent images of their cats lounging by or even resting on the edge of their fountains. Some have even told us (in the reviews) that their cat even sleeps resting on the fountain.
It will sound absurdly anthropomorphic to say this but we are convinced that cats have a pretty profound aesthetic sense. They see/feel/appreciate the quality of a beautiful fountain. They want to be near them and they benefit from doing so in some impossible to measure manner.
So, do you need a cat fountain? We sure think so.