If you have a fur baby at home, you should know how important it is for them to drink plenty of water - not only does it keep them hydrated, but it also helps with digestion and can even prevent urinary tract infections and kidney disease.
However, as cat owners, you will probably also know how difficult it can be to ensure that your pet visits his water bowl often enough. Dripping faucet or puddle of bath water on the floor? They can't get enough. But place a fresh dish of H2O next to their food, and the animal can go for hours without taking a sip. Although this can be annoying, there is a solution for this behavior - a water fountain.
Cats love to drink from running water, and there are many theories as to why. Some say it's because they associate moving water with freshness, while others believe it appeals more to their senses as they can see it move, hear the sound it makes, and even feel the difference.
Whatever the reason, a water fountain is a great way to mimic this natural behavior and make drinking more exciting and enjoyable for your kitten. But, what should you look for when it comes to purchasing?
First, think about whether you need a water filter, and also think about how easy it is to clean? While some are dishwasher safe, others require hand washing. Sound is also an important factor, especially if the fountain will be located in a common area of your home.
Feed-Ex "CatH2O"
This model of automatic drinking bowl will fully provide your pet with clean and fresh water. Such water has an increased oxygen content due to constant circulation. The carbon filter, which can be removed and cleaned, purifies the water from small debris and various bacteria. Also, with the help of such a drinking bowl, you can maintain the hygiene of the animal’s oral cavity, since the kit includes a Dental Care tablet. These tablets are made in Australia and protect against the formation of tartar, and at the same time strengthen the gums.
Pros:
- Cats like to drink from such a drinking bowl;
- Includes oral hygiene tablet;
- Water does not stagnate;
- Quiet operation;
- There is a replaceable filter.
Catit - stainless steel flower
This delicious looking fountain shines above the competition and is our feline tester's clear favorite. Ideal for pets who like to drink from the tap. It holds up to 3 liters of water, but has a compact design that takes up little floor space.
The fountain has a central spout with a colorful plastic flower that creates multiple streams of water. This makes it a great option for those with more than one pet or furry friends who need to drink a lot. However, it also has two other settings, including a gentle stream of water or a bubbling upward stream.
Cleverly designed to encourage your cat to drink more, the top of the fountain is shallow so your pet can drink without straining his whiskers. We also liked that it comes with an illuminated water level window, which not only lets you see if the fountain needs refilling, but also emits a nice blue glow to help your cat navigate the dark at night.
The Catit fountain is very easy to assemble as the parts snap into place without any hassle and is also one of the quietest we have tried. It uses carbon filters to catch any hair, fur or dirt that gets inside, and they need to be replaced every four weeks. Filters can be re-purchased in packs of two.
Feeder-drinker for cats Trixie
The model from the German manufacturer is both a drinking bowl and a feeder for the animal. The container is made of transparent, high-quality and safe material. Since the walls of the container are transparent, you can always see when the food or water is running low. Rubber pads on the legs of the drinker prevent it from sliding on the surface. The drinker is small in size and can be used as a travel option. Only dry food can be used in such feeders.
Pros:
- Universal container for food and water;
- Small dimensions;
- Transparent container walls;
- Does not slip on the floor;
- Affordable price;
- High quality and durable material.
What are automatic feeders?
The automatic feeder dispenses food (dry or wet food, natural food) to the pet in portions in accordance with the specified time. The essence of any automatic feeder is the same, but they differ in the principle of operation, as well as in their functionality.
Some automatic feeders are designed for only one meal for a pet, or for several meals, but for one day. Other models, on the contrary, can feed the cat in the absence of the owner for several days.
Depending on how many meals the feeder is designed for, its internal structure also changes.
Simple daily feeders are an ordinary closed container into which food is poured. It opens on a timer and food becomes available to the pet. More complex feeders consist of several compartments. If the feeder is needed not only for feeding in the absence of the owners, but also for diet, it is equipped with a dispenser.
A dispenser is a mechanism that can automatically determine the required volume of food for a cat. Feeders with a dispenser are ideal for feeding your pet for several days if you are not at home, and you don’t have to worry that your four-legged friend will remain hungry.
Feeders with a dispenser are designed for dry food; wet food and natural food will simply spoil inside if left for a long time.
Automatic feeders can be mains powered, battery powered, or mechanical. The most practical are battery-powered feeders. Food will be dispensed at the right time and in the right portions, while such a feeder has good reliability.
Feeders that plug into an outlet are impractical - in the event of a power outage, the pet will remain hungry, and regular interruptions can reset the timer. The exception is models with batteries charged from the mains. Mechanical feeders do not require a power source, but you cannot control portions either: food is added as the pet eats it.
Important! Many automatic feeders are equipped with water drinkers. Compartments with drinking bowls open together with compartments for food. There are also automatic drinkers in the format of a separate device. One way or another, an automatic drinking bowl is definitely needed if the pet owner is not at home for more than a day. In other situations, you can get by with a regular bowl of fresh water.
Additional functions for automatic feeders
The differences above are key - they greatly influence how the feeder can be used in principle, and what it is suitable for and what it is not.
Now it’s worth paying attention to the additional functions that some models of feeders have. Such functions are useful, but not at all necessary. Whether they are needed is the reader's choice.
- Remote control of the feeder is the most common additional feature. Smart automatic feeders are equipped with Wi-Fi or GSM modules that allow you to control them using your phone. With the help of remote control, pet owners can feed them at any time, without having to depend on the timer. The remote module often allows you to select the portion size for the cat.
- The voice recorder built into the feeder is also an additional feature. Such a voice recorder is needed primarily to record the owner’s voice. A person can record his voice on the feeder calling his pet for dinner, and in the future this recording will be played during automatic feeding.
Would you buy yourself an automatic feeder with additional options?
Yes, additional features are cool
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Conventional automatic feeders are no worse
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Voted: 0
Smart automatic feeders can automatically create a diet for cats. For this purpose, data entered in advance by a person on the pet’s age and weight are used. Algorithms inside the feeder will calculate the required volume of portions to feed the cat.
Expert opinion
Yakovlev Alexey Sergeevich
Electrician with 20 years of experience and extensive experience
Note! Additional functions are useful, but the cost of smart feeders is significantly higher than their conventional counterparts. Besides, the presence of additional functions is not the most important thing. It is much better to buy a regular high-quality feeder than a poorly designed smart automatic feeder, which can also be harmful to the animal.
Ferplast Vega
Reliable and high-quality drinker at a very affordable price. The model is made from high quality food grade plastic. The volume of the drinking bowl is about two liters. Three different options for drinking water attract the animal and it drinks the water with pleasure. There are anti-slip attachments for stability. Control is convenient and easy, thanks to practical ergonomic handles. The top part of the drinker is removable, so the device is easy to clean.
Pros:
- Always fresh water, does not stagnate;
- Safety;
- High quality material;
- Affordable price;
- Easy to use.
Drinkwell Platinum
Large and convenient drinking bowl, volume two liters. The model has an original design and a beautiful silver color. The device also has an activated carbon filter, which disinfects water and removes unpleasant tastes. The reservoir lid snaps into place and the rubber feet prevent the device from sliding on the floor. The drinking bowl is made of high-quality food-grade plastic and is completely safe for animals.
Pros:
- Receiving ramp and spout reduce water splashing;
- Carbon filter;
- The lid snaps into place;
- Does not slip;
- Safe material;
- Suitable for cats and small breed dogs.
Mini pet fountain PetSafe drinkwell
If you've just welcomed a kitten into your home or have a small cat, consider this 1.2L capacity pet fountain. Designed with a free-falling stream of water to encourage your pet to drink, the fountain features an intake ramp that helps minimize any splashes from the stream as your furry friend quenches his thirst. However, if your cat prefers to drink still water, they can also make the most of the reservoir at the base.
We really liked that it also comes with an adjustable flow control so you can choose how fast the water comes out. The fountain is made of plastic, which isn't the most stylish option, but it makes it easy to disassemble for cleaning and means it can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher - minus the motor and cord.
Drinkwell mini features a carbon filter that removes debris as well as unpleasant tastes and odors, leaving your pet with clean, fresh-tasting filtered water. It is recommended to change them every two to four weeks.
While the brand claims this fountain is “almost silent,” we actually found it to be one of the loudest we've tried. This may not be a deal-breaker for most, but it's worth considering if you plan to keep the fountain in a room where you spend a lot of time, or if you have a particularly fussy cat who might be intimidated by it.
Pioneer Pet Rain Drop fountain bowl
This model is the best option for an automatic waterer for cats and dogs. The model is made of ceramic, which is more hygienic than plastic ones. The ceramic parts of the drinker are easy to clean and can even be washed in the dishwasher. The pump and filter are cleaned only by hand. The drinker operates from a 220V network, but the design is quite safe, since the adapter lowers the voltage to 12V. The volume of the drinking bowl is 1.8 liters, the power cord is 1.8 meters. There is also a carbon filter that disinfects the water.
Pros:
- Carbon filter;
- Made from ceramic;
- Safety;
- Quality;
- Easy to wash and clean.
Minuses:
- High price
Trixie Ceramic Water Fountain
If you're the type of style-conscious person who can't think of anything worse than installing a colorful water feature in your dining room, this Trixie fountain should be at the top of your shopping list. Made from ceramic, it has a super sleek dome design, especially suitable for cats that are scared by fast running water. Its low profile and bowl-style shape are less likely to unsettle skittish pets, while the wavy sides and gurgle feature still encourage them to drink more.
It's especially quiet, with a circulating filtration system that removes hair, food particles and dirt, and the water flow is adjustable. The fountain does make a little noise, but it's not too bad as long as the water level is high enough that the pump is completely submerged.
The ceramic bowl is dishwasher safe, and the replacement filters come in a pack of six. Thanks to its smaller capacity—it holds 0.8 liters of water—we think this fountain is best suited for a family with one cat.
Sititek Pets Uni
The automatic drinking bowl is intended for cats and dogs of small breeds. Drinker with a volume of 1.8 liters and 0.8 kg of dry food. The water constantly circulates and therefore always remains fresh, and a replaceable filter consisting of cotton and activated carbon disinfects it. The model has adjustable water flow speed and LED lighting in the storage tank. The drinking bowl is made of food-grade plastic and is completely safe for your pets.
Pros:
- Flow speed adjustment;
- Safety;
- Economical energy consumption;
- High quality material;
- Affordable price..
Automatic drinking bowl for cats and dogs Fox 500 ml
Compact, practical and very convenient drinking bowl for animals. The drinking bowl is made of food-grade, non-toxic plastic. The volume is 500 ml of water. There is a special stand to prevent water from splashing on the floor. Stable, does not slip on the floor. Thanks to good circulation, the water in the drinking bowl always remains fresh and does not stagnate.
Pros:
- High quality plastic;
- Safety;
- Very comfortable;
- Suitable for medium sized cats and dogs;
- Relatively affordable price.
