How to Introduce Your Cat to a Water Fountain for the First Time

As you may know, hydration is vital in keeping our feline friends healthy. But what if your cat is not much of a drinker? In this article, we’ll be talking about the importance of hydration in cats, cat drinking habits, and how we can introduce a pet water fountain to encourage our cat/s to drink more water.

Content:

1. Why Hydration Is Important For Cats
2. Cat Drinking Habits
3. How To Encourage Cats to Drink More Water
4. How to Introduce Your Cat to a Pet Water Fountain for the First Time
5. Conclusion

Why Hydration Is Important For Cats

Hydration is essential for the bodily functions of cats. The same is true for other species, including us, making it vital for everyday living. It aids in food digestion, regulating temperature, maintaining normal concentrations of electrolytes, absorption and delivery of nutrients and oxygen, and joint lubrication. Unfortunately, cats in general aren't really big on drinking much water. Because of this, dehydration is quite common in cats.

A lot of health issues can result from dehydration, and when your cat is constantly in a state where they are nearly dehydrated, it increases their risk of getting urinary infections and kidney disease, among others. Having said this, finding ways to prevent our cats from getting dehydrated is essential, as hydration is an important aspect of their health and wellbeing.

Cat Drinking Habits

Because cats have a tendency to not drink enough water themselves, it is important for us cat owners to find ways for them to keep hydrated.

According to the Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, for every ½ ounce of dry food that cats eat, they usually drink 1 ounce of water.

Meanwhile, Katie Grzyb, DVM, recommends that cats drink a daily amount of at least 4 ounces of water for every 5 pounds of their body weight. However, this may vary depending on factors such as diet, environment, activity, and underlying health issues. Also, keep in mind that cats may also ingest water from other sources, including canned/wet food and faucets, among others.

How To Encourage Cats to Drink More Water

If you’ve ever offered your cat some water in a bowl, only for them to just smell it and walk away – I hear you, as do many other cat parents. You’ve probably noticed that they don’t seem to be that interested in drinking water from their water bowls, especially if they eat wet food. Adding water to their food can be a good way to entice cats to ingest more water, but what if your cat isn’t keen on watery food?

On the other hand, have you ever noticed your kitty come close when you turn on the faucet? Apparently, many cats seem to be more drawn to running water over stagnant water, which is why a pet fountain may help in encouraging your cat to drink more water. One good example is the innovative and well-designed Petcube Pet Water Fountain, a smart water fountain that offers clean, flowing, filtered water for pets all day.

How to Introduce Your Cat to a Pet Water Fountain for the First Time

Because cats thrive on routine, changing their water bowls to a pet water fountain may at first make them curious yet hesitant. However, patience, guidance, and encouragement will help make the transition successful.

Below are some tips to help cats welcome their new pet water fountain:

Introduce it Gradually

Without turning it on yet, put the pet fountain near their existing water bowl. Let them inspect it and be familiar with its presence for a few days.

Meanwhile, on a Reddit discussion under r/CatAdvice, several Redditors shared that what worked for them was initially letting their cat drink from the pet water fountain while it was turned off.

Once they’re accustomed to it, you can then turn on the fountain feature. They might sniff or drink from it, but give them time if they’re not quite ready yet. In the same Reddit discussion above, another Redditor shared that she gradually turned up the water speed from just a trickle to full speed in a span of one month.

Make it More Enticing

Remember to wash the fountain with clean water first to remove smells from manufacturing. After, you may rub a soft piece of clothing that your cat is familiar with, such as their favorite bedding, to help them be at ease with it.

Having pheromone sprays or diffusers near it can also help entice them to use the pet drinking fountain. You can also use your fingers and make a splash to help your cat understand what the new mysterious device is for.

Positive Reinforcement

Gently praise or give your cat a treat every time they show any interest in the fountain, even if they just approach or sniff it. Soon, they’ll be able to associate the fountain with positive feelings and will be more likely to repeat the behavior and hopefully use it eventually. Continue with the positive reinforcement a few days after they start to use the pet water fountain.

Transitioning Their Water Source

When your cat seems comfortable with the pet fountain, make sure that it has a fresh supply of clean water, and turn it on and off intermittently. Allow your feline friend to hear the running water. Initially, place their old water bowl near the pet fountain, and gradually move it nearer to the device. Leave the bowl for a couple of days after your cat starts drinking from the pet water fountain before removing it. Keep on monitoring your cat to make sure that they are drinking enough water.

So how do you choose the best water fountain for your cat? Is a stainless steel pet fountain good? - Or maybe a ceramic and plastic one? Should you get a large pet water fountain for multiple cats? Is there a wireless pet fountain or a smart pet water fountain at that?

Choosing the right pet water fountain depends on the specific needs and preferences of your cat, but there are brands that design their products with both high-standard quality and the above needs in mind. The Petcube Pet Water Fountain, for instance, does just that. The smart pet water fountain features UV-C sterilization and 4-layer filtration for clean water; a pumpless, quiet design; a 1.7 L capacity (good for up to 7 days); a rechargeable battery (with a battery life of up upto 20 days); motion-activated flow; app reminders; durable ceramic/stainless steel options; and is easy to maintain. What more can you ask for?

Conclusion

Hydration is indeed important for our feline friends. Because of this, it is essential for us cat parents to ensure that our cats get enough water daily to help keep them healthy. A pet water fountain is one device that can definitely be a good addition to aid in our cats’ hydration needs. And while our cat may not automatically use it at first, when they become comfortable using it on a daily basis, you get more assurance that your cat can get their daily water intake requirement.