4 Reasons Your Cat Needs a Water Fountain - Enter to win a Petmate Fresh Flow Rain Fountain | Lola The Rescued Cat
Tuesday, August 14, 2018

4 Reasons Your Cat Needs a Water Fountain - Enter to win a Petmate Fresh Flow Rain Fountain


To buy a fountain, or not to buy a fountain? I’ve heard this question from cat owners pop up many times over the years. Some reasons I’ve heard for not purchasing a fountain include not wanting spend extra money (some can have a higher price point, but there are many affordable options), dreading cleaning it weekly (it’s really not all that bad – I promise!), or not understanding the benefits of having a fountain. Here are four reasons your cat should have a water fountain.


why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain


Four Reasons Your Cat Needs a Water Fountain


1.  Cats Prefer Moving Water 

A cats’ natural instincts tell them that standing water may not be safe. In the outdoors, standing water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and can potentially make wild cats very ill. Cats are naturally drawn to running water because they know it’s safer. Does your cat enjoy drinking from the faucet? This is probably the reason.

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain

Does your cat paw at her bowl before she drinks? Lexy does. She likes to make sure the water is moving before she drinks. 

2.  Cats Hear Running Water Better Than They can see Still Water

Many people are unaware that cats have fairly poor depth perception, and that they have a blind spot right in front of their nose (that’s why they can’t see the treat I put down right in front of them!) This makes it difficult for them to detect the water level in the bowl without getting a nose full of water.

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain

This is another reason your cat may move her water bowl before drinking – so she can see where the water actually is! On more than one occasion I’ve witnessed Lexy stick her face in a bowl of water and come out sneezing.

Cats may have poor depth perception, but they have a keen sense of hearing, thus it is easier for them to detect a running water source versus a still bowl. They will be lured to the sound of running water quicker than they will be to a sitting bowl of water. 

3.  Water From a Fountain is Cooler and Tastes Better

Water in a fountain is constantly being pumped through a filter which causes it to be more oxygenated. This means your cat’s water is cleaner and tastes much fresher. It also smells better, which is appealing to your cat’s strong sense of smell.

4.  Fountains Entice Cats to Drink More

We all know our cats are obligate carnivores, and in the wild they get most of their water from their diet. However, our domesticated cats may not have as much water content in their menus. Making sure your cat is properly hydrated can help prevent urinary tract infections and urinary disease and aids with temperature regulation and energy levels. Several months ago, Lola has abnormal urinalysis results, which made me very nervous. I took steps to make sure she was drinking enough and even set up a second fountain in the house. I was very happy when her follow-up urinalysis came back normal. If you feel your cat isn't drinking enough, try setting up a fountain


why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain


Fresh Flow Rain Fountain by Petmate

If you're wondering what kind of fountain to buy, or you're looking for a new fountain, give the Fresh Flow Rain Fountain by Petmate a try! My favorite thing about this fountain is that it's battery operated. I know, you're probably wondering how often you're going to have to change batteries and you're already convinced not to buy it. Don't let the fact that it's battery operated deter you! Due to the innovative patent pending water flow design, the batteries will last for months. I've had the fountain set up for two months and the batteries are still going strong. 

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain


The set up was easy. First, you insert four D batteries into the base. Then assemble the rest of the unit...

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain


...attach the base to the bowl. and slide the water chamber onto the base. 

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain


All that's left to do is fill it with water. Make sure you fill it when the water chamber is empty, or it will be overfilled and you will have a mini flood. 

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain


Here's a short instructional video on setting it up. 



When the pump begins to run, water is drawn from the bowl up through the tube and filter to the top of the lid, creating a second drinking area. Once water reaches the top, it "rains" down the inside of the water chamber. As the water fills the water chamber, the water streams from the front nozzle and refills the bowl creating a rain like flow. The cycle re-starts every 20 minutes. 

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain

I was initially a little worried that the rain sound would be too loud for Lola, who tends to by my skittish kitty. I was happy to discover it was not very loud at all, and actually quite calming. The sound of the rain and the flowing water attract your cat, thus enticing them to drink. 

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain

As I said earlier, I love that it's battery operated. I tend to be a worrier, so when I go away I always unplug the fountain and leave water bowls out, which my sitter cleans daily. I'm afraid the girls will knock the fountain over, flooding the living room and shorting out electrical equipment. When I'm away I wonder if Lexy and Lola are drinking enough water because they miss their fountain. I recently went on a four night mini-vacation, and left the Fresh Flow Rain Fountain on. Since it doesn't have to be plugged in, I was able to move the unit to an area of the house that was not near any electrical equipment so I didn't have to worry if it somehow got knocked over. I was happy that my girls had fresh, flowing, filtered water whenever they needed a drink. And I didn't have to worry about them not being hydrated enough. 


why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain
Please pin us! 

Fresh Flow Rain Fountain Features: 
  • Fountain can be placed anywhere in your home. 
  • Batteries will last for months because of the innovative patent pending water flow design. 
  • Two different types of water flow create noise that attracts cats. 
  • Lid allows water to pool at the top, creating a second drinking area. 
  • 75-ounce capacity. 
  • Dimensions: 12.9 X 10" X 9.2"
  • Weight: 2 pounds


Lola likes to drink from the bowl of a fountain, and Lexy likes to drink from the top. They both love the Fresh Flow Rain Fountain because it suits both of their preferences. 


why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain


And with a large bowl, Lola has plenty of room for her whiskers. 

why cats need a fountain|fresh flow rain fountain
I hate when my whiskers touch the bowl! 

Thanks to the generosity of the folks at Petmate, one of our lucky readers will win a Fresh Flow Rain Fountain of their very own.  Just enter via the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway is open to US residents 18+ years of age except where prohibited by law. The winner will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter and contacted via email and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize, and a new winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter. The giveaway closes on Friday, August 24th at 12 Midnight Eastern.




Follow Petmate on their social media accounts to stay up to date on all of their fantastic products. 

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Does your cat enjoy drinking from a fountain? 

Dawn


Would you like to comment?

  1. That's a cool looking fountain!

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  2. I haven't seen this design of water fountain before, and thanks for the giveaway!

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  3. Thanks for sharing and the wonderful review on this fountain. This is really a cool design and many kitties will like it cause of the on the moving water. That kitty in the sink photo is so adorable. Great post. Have a wonderful day.
    World of Animals

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  4. What a cool fountain! We have one but the only cat around here that uses it is Wally.

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  5. Great review ! What a pawsome fountain ! Purrs

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  6. That's pretty darn cool, we love fountains!

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  7. We love our fountains and we would absolutely love to have one that was battery operated so we could make Mommy put it on the back porch for us. There aren't any plugins there, so NO fountain. We would love to have this one there.

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  8. Don't tell the cats, but my favorite part of our fountain is the relaxing background noise. This one looks pretty cool too. With Bear's acne we'd need a something other than plastic though.

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  9. We have a fountain my cats like to drink from, but this one looks much better.

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  10. That's great that both L & L like the fountain. I have to say you have compelling reasons to get a fountain!

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  11. My cats love drinking from the sink or from a fountain. Right now we're up to five cats in our house, and a single fountain just isn't cutting it. I'd really love to win this so I could set up a second fountain - up on the second floor, which is where the two new cats are spending most of their time. I hate that they're missing out having the use of a fountain.

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  12. My cat would absolutely love this. Right now she likes drinking from the Sink so I just know she would love a fountain.

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  13. We love fountains of all sizes and shapes throughout the house. With Truffle’s bladder issues we must have plenty of fresh water available. This looks like a nice fountain

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  14. We just won this from another blog but haven't bought the batteries yet. It's a good design since we're short of electrical outlets in the condo.

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  15. I'm not sure. She has never had the opportunity to

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  16. I would love to try this with my cats. I like that it's battery operated. Like you, I worry about plugs. And, we could put this anywhere!

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  17. That's interesting about the sound and cats' depth perception. We had a fountain, but they ignored it and someone got tired of cleaning it.... Maybe it's time to try again.
    Thank you so much for all the loot you sent to PAWS!
    xxoo

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  18. That is an ingenious design!! My cats would definitely be trying to drink from the top as well!! Ok, maybe just Mango. He's silly.

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  19. i dont know because i use a water bowl. however, i think she would because sometimes she tries to get water from the kitchen faucet.

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  20. Oh MeOW We would totally luv this fountain. Me really likr me's water to "rain" out or shoot a stream at me. Raena doesn't know that kind cuz our fountain broke when she was a baby and the company didn't honor the warranty. So, we could really use this. Enjoy your water girls. Big hugs

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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  21. L & L....none oh de catz who haz lived on trout towne shorez ever liked a fountin; we will hafta give thiz a look see; de fee chure we like de most iz de battree...coz sum cat knot sayin who tuna likez ta chew cordz ~~~~~~ :) ♥♥ best fishez two everee one !!

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  22. I would love one of these and have been planning to get a fountain for my cats - I never considered the batter thing. Unfortunately, I can't enter because fortunately, Trump is not my president. ;)

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  23. Enzo does he crawls in the sink and drinks from the faucet so probably pretty close to a fountain LOL

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  24. I really like that this fountain is battery operated and can be placed anywhere! I have a couple of fountains for my dogs and my cats and my cats especially, like the water flowing - kind of like when they would bother me to turn on the bathroom basin sink!

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  25. That fountain looks so cool! And the running water makes it cool, too!

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  26. I love these water fountains, they are so beautiful plus such a great way to keep the water fresh all the time

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  27. That's a cool fountain! I don't have any cats but I actually use cat drinking fountains for my small dogs (shh we don't tell them that they're really made for cats). I love that this one can run off batteries. The one we use currently needs to be plugged in so it really limits the areas in our house where we can keep it, since it needs to be a certain distance from a plug.

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  28. I briefly considered buying a fountain when I had cats a few years ago, and very quickly dismissed it as an unnecessary expense. The shelter where I used to volunteer had one in the cat room and it was noisy and didn't work very well, and frankly I couldn't see the point. One of my cats Mini loved to stand in the sink and play and drink with water dripping from the faucet. You do bring up some great points about the benefits, and I like that it's battery powered and is quiet. Perhaps my dog Jack would like it!

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  29. That fountain is really cool! We have a pagoda one downstairs that Gracie loves to drink from. We've thought about having one upstairs, but there's not a convenient outlet. This might just be the solution. :)

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  30. These are all good reasons to have a pet water fountain. My dogs are much more attracted to moving water as well. I have a hard time keeping Icy out of the garden fountain in the backyard LOL!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  31. Those seem like great reasons to have a fountain. I'm glad to see that they are making a battery operated fountain. When we had a cat, I really wanted one, but there wasn't an outlet where we wanted to put the fountain. We have an old house, so outlets aren't plentiful.

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  32. I love the idea that it's battery operated! You can put it where the cats want it not where the plugs are. Cool design too, I like the rainfall. I wish it wasn't plastic though. I don't think it is heavy enough to be Midnight proof. He loves to disassemble fountains.

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  33. This makes so much sense! Our cat Willow loves to drink from a dripping faucet and hardly touches her bowl. I hope I win this, if not I will have to start looking for one I can afford. Thanks!

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  34. very excellent reasons to have a fountain!A battery operated one sounds great!!

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  35. THAT is one of THE best fountains we have seen. We love your comprehensive review and pictures!

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  36. Maintaining good hydration in cats is both crucial and tricky. It is my understanding that unlike dogs, cats normally don't tend to drink much because evolutionarily, they were used to getting their water from their food.

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  37. I agree, that is a cool fountain! I love that it is battery operated and no electric cords. I'd love a large one of these for my Huskies! Thanks for a great review! Oh, and I love the pics!

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  38. My cats LOVE their water fountain! I've never tried the Petmate line, but I'm glad they are offering them. Off to enter the contest!

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  39. We tried a fountain years ago and our former dog was afraid of it. I've been thinking of trying one again for Ruby. Rosie drinks lots of water, but I don't Ruby drinks enough. I didn't know about #2 - hearing the water more than they can see still water.

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  40. Yes, our cat loves drinking from our outdoor fountain.

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  41. Established fountains have an immortal style to them; the equivalent goes for some different structures that have their foundations situated in antiquated societies.wall fountains

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