You can lead a cat to water, but no one can make her drink. Yes, although cats are known to be independent, Yufi figured out how to at least give my spoiled pets 24/7 access to clean drinking water. Simple, attractive pet fountain lets you toss that messy water bowl and offers filtered H2O on demand for cats and small dogs looking for a cool drink.
The Eufy Pet Water Fountain uses a filtration system and motor to continuously circulate up to 2 liters of water for cats to drink (or play with). And because it’s slightly larger than a fold-out tissue box, it won’t stand out in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere you choose to place it.
In my home, this is a win-win because not only does it encourage my two cats to drink more, which is good for their health, but they love the movement of the water. And since it has enough water for about a week, I don’t have to think about it for days or worry about one of them knocking over a plate while I’m away. And I definitely don’t miss washing that slobbery bowl every day.
The Eufy Pet Water Fountain is a beautiful water bowl for cats and small dogs. This will not only allow you to fill it up and forget about it, but will also allow you to be sure that your animals have constant access to clean, filtered water that is not easy to tip over when you are not at home. The sleek design allows you to place it prominently in your home and the built-in LED will alert you if it gets low.
Since I keep it on my kitchen counter, I love how sleek this Eufy pet fountain looks. Before that I used Catit pet fountain, which, although cheaper by $20, looks like a vulgar green and white plastic flower and I don’t want to display it prominently in my house. When I unpacked the Eufy Fountain, I was immediately drawn to the minimalist design in stainless steel and white, and I also appreciated the transparent water tank, which allowed me to check the water level at a glance. The easy to read max and min marks tell me when/if I need to add water (I usually do this four to five days before refilling) and if I don’t get there fast enough to ignore the red LED on the base.
Measuring 7.48 by 7.48 by 6.22 inches, it’s also compact and can be placed almost anywhere as long as it’s within 3 feet of a motor power outlet. While the container technically holds 3 liters of water, it can actually only circulate 2 liters, or about half a gallon, as the fountain will not work if the water level is below the minimum.
New Jersey veterinarian Dr. Sue Tobias says it’s more natural for cats to drink running water from a fountain, as their instinct is to drink running water from a stream or river. “Some cats like to drink water from an open faucet because they like dripping water and like to put their paws in it and play. Domestic cats need to be encouraged to drink more water, and this is a great way to do that.”
Due to its smaller capacity, Yufi says the fountain is designed for both cats and dogs weighing up to 30 pounds, though dogs may not be as fascinated by the running water. Dr. Tobias uses a pet fountain for his two cats and points out the customization options it offers. For small pets that can’t (or don’t want to) bend their neck, they can drink from a higher point. And more importantly, the movement of the fountain intrigues the animals and promotes hydration.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the previous Catit fountain I used was the incessant buzzing noise the electric pump made. And it got even louder when the water level dropped. But the Eufy Pet Water Fountain was quiet on all fronts.
Yufi was wise to place the engine in the base of the device rather than in the water tank. This not only keeps it quiet, but also keeps it from getting clogged with all the slime and debris floating around in the water tank. The pump itself can be easily removed and washed as part of a normal cleaning procedure.
Forget to rinse the dishes with water every day. With the Eufy pet fountain, you only need to perform a thorough cleaning and replace the filter (four packs of dressing can be purchased online for $20) once a month to keep things clean. The charcoal and tar filter traps any dirt, food or dust, but I have found that pet saliva on a food grade stainless steel dish can get slimy pretty quickly.
Once a week I unplug it and take the fountain apart, emptying and cleaning the water tank, plate, spout and pump. Simply wipe with warm water and it’s easy to put back together. I don’t think any of the above nasties affect the taste of the water, as my cats never seem to notice, but I like to know that their drinking water is filtered and mucus-free.
It’s hard to find fault with a fountain that doesn’t make noise or make a mess, but in general I have little niggles with pet fountains.
First, at $20 for a pack of four filters, the cost of the filters can go up. Each brand uses a different type of filter that should be replaced every month, and if it doesn’t, then you’re basically serving your pet recycled dirty water instead of clean, filtered water. It is important to change them regularly, so know the cost of replacement in advance.
What worries me the most is what happens if the power goes out when you’re not at home? As soon as the water level gets too low, or if it loses power, the pump stops working and water becomes unavailable. This will only be a problem if you leave your cats alone for a day or two, but for many people, this is the reason they buy such a product. When I leave, I’ll leave an extra bowl of water just in case and hope none of the kittens knock it over and see it dripping.
The Eufy Pet Water Fountain is a time-saving and fun way to encourage your pets to drink more water, especially for cats who don’t like to drink from a bowl. In fact, this $45 fountain has made a huge difference in my cats daily water intake. And since its sleek appearance makes it more attractive, and it’s easy to clean and maintain, you’ll likely need to perform regular maintenance.
Its use also means you don’t have to put on fresh water every day or wash dishes every evening, and the red light on the fountain will alert you when the water is low. If you have finicky cats or small dogs that would benefit from more water, this could lead them to cleaner water – just let them think it was their idea.