The Promise of Multistage Filtration: More Hype Than Help

Many pet drinking fountains on the market today boast increasingly complex multistage filtration systems, featuring everything from resins to multilayer filter materials in elaborate arrangements. While these features might sound beneficial, they are little more than marketing gimmicks. The truth is, these sophisticated-sounding filters are not only redundant but can also be ineffective, unnecessarily expensive, and environmentally wasteful. In some cases, these filters can even do more harm than good by impeding water flow, adding area for bacteria to grow, and introducing chemicals into your pet’s drinking water.

Why the Hype?

Why are pet fountain manufacturers engaged in this arms race? Two reasons:

1. It makes their fountain sound better than the other guy’s – ”what, they only have five filter layers?! Ours has seven! And a phone app for each!”
2. It conveniently justifies proprietary and expensive filter replacement cartridges – turning simple hydration into a high-maintenance money sink.

The Reality: Filtration is the Flow

Contrary to what marketers might want you to believe, a pet fountain purifies the water primarily through its own core function – the flow of the water. Why are animals in the wild instinctively drawn to moving streams rather than stagnant pools? The movement of water is naturally effective at keeping water fresher and cleaner.

Why is flowing water cleaner?

In a word: aeration – the mixing of oxygen into the water. Oxygenated water deters the growth of pathogens and harmful microorganisms, which prefer anaerobic (low-oxygen) conditions. Oxygen-rich environments discourage the growth of algae and the formation of biofilms (think surface-slime).

In addition, the agitation caused by the flow physically disrupts the formation of microorganisms.

Flowing water

• Aerated – high dissolved oxygen
• Water mixed top to bottom
• Low microorganism growth
• Fresh & clear
• Attractive to animals

Stagnant water

• Non-aerated: low dissolved oxygen
• Stale water
• High microorganism growth
• Foul odor & cloudy
• Repellant to animals

Is any filtration beneficial?

For pet fountain operation, a coarse debris filter is needed to protect the pump from hair and larger particles. Beyond that, the addition of activated carbon can be beneficial because it effectively removes a broad spectrum of impurities that might be present in the water.

What About Resin Filters?

As for resin, which is often touted for its water-softening capabilities, it's largely redundant when carbon is already used. Activated carbon can perform much of the water-softening task by itself. If your home has significant issues with water hardness, this is best addressed with a comprehensive upstream (pun intended) solution – like an under-sink or whole-house filtration system, or even a pitcher filter for drinking water – which would then be used for human and animal consumption.

Brook’s No-nonsense Approach: Effective and Affordable

At Brook, we strive for straightforward solutions. That's why our fountains utilize a simple yet effective combination of a coarse filter and activated carbon. This approach ensures that your pet's water is clean and safe without unnecessary complexity, cost and waste.

Complete filtration

Particle filter and activated carbon for purification

That’s also why our filter replacements are so affordable – we don’t charge you a marketing gimmick premium. You’re welcome! Just remember to replace the filters on-schedule and rinse before use. And please use your saved money to buy your pet a new toy : )

INDULGENCE OR NECESSITY?

A cat fountain might seem like an indulgence. Or another burdensome gadget to replace something simple – a bowl. But it’s not. And it’s not even a “nice-to-have”, but a must-have – for one simple reason: your cat’s health. In this article we will explain two things:

1. Why a fountain increases hydration
2. Why that’s vital to your pet’s health and longevity

How does a pet fountain encourage hydration?

The short answer: moving water.

The slightly longer answer: Remember that in the wild – still, stagnant water means contamination. Moving water is continually oxygenated and exposed to light – both of which inhibits the growth of microorganisms – and moving water physically disrupts the formation of large bacteria colonies. Cats don’t know this, of course – but they “know” it instinctively – i.e. it’s been hard-wired into them through millennia of evolution. They will avoid still water and favor moving water instead.

Why is hydration important:

“Who cares how much they drink?” You probably didn’t think that – because we all kind of know hydration is important. But it’s especially important for cats – and critical for modern house cats!

By far, the leading cause of death for indoor cats is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The root causes of CKD are complex and multifactorial (shout out to our friends at the FOUNDATION FOR FELINE RENAL RESEARCH pioneering research in this area) – but one of the most salient factors appears to be chronic dehydration resulting from our modern reliance on dry cat food. Dry food, combined with the common practice of free-feeding (providing unlimited access to kibble) is a recipe for dehydration.

This is especially problematic for cats because cats naturally have a low thirst drive! In the wild they rely on their food for the majority of their fluids.

Without enough water, cats become dehydrated, which can lead to kidney disease. In fact, one of the first things a veterinarian will tell the owners of a cat diagnosed with CKD is to take measures to encourage hydration!

But CKD is just part of the story. Dehydration in cats also leads to urinary tract infections, poor digestion, lethargy, and a host of other conditions.

Healthy Skin and Shiny Coat

Now the picture should be clear why a well-maintained pet fountain, topped off with clean water, is one of the most important items in a cat household:

1. Cats have evolved to associate moving water with freshness and safety, a trait that can be traced back to their wild ancestors. Having a steady source of attractive moving water will encourage hydration.
2. Ensuring your cat stays adequately hydrated isn't just a matter of convenience; it's a critical component of their health care, akin to their diet or environment.

That’s why a pet fountain isn’t merely a luxury – it’s an essential tool that taps into your cat's natural instincts and supports their health and longevity.

So you made the (correct) decision to get your pet a drinking fountain – here’s to hydration! 🍻

But where should you put it? This guide walks you through everything you need to consider when finding a place for your cat or dog drinking fountain in your home.

In planning placement, the key goals are:

• Maximize utilization (i.e. drinking)
• Avoid water quality disruption (contamination & temperature)
• Make cleaning & maintenance as easy as possible

With that in mind, here are the steps:

Maintain Distance from Food and Litter

The litter part may be obvious – you want to drink where you 💩? But keeping distance from food is also important, especially for cats. Remember, in the wild – food (think: dead carcass) near the water implies contamination. Animals know this instinctively. So place the fountain a healthy distance away from the food bowl – even if it’s just across the room or on the other side of your kitchen.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight not only promotes algae growth, but can warm up the water. This reduces oxygenation and promotes growth of all kinds of microorganisms. Avoid placing near a window, and consider where the sun rays will fall as the angle and path of the sun changes during the year (a shady spot in summer may become sunlit in winter).

Avoid Strong Air Currents

Air currents – such as from air vents, fans, frequently-open windows, and other drafty areas can cause a number of problems. First, they can cause excess contamination from dust and debris carried by the air. Second, they can cause unwelcome temperature changes. Third, they can also deter pets from drinking if they are strong enough to move their whiskers and dry their eyes while they drink. Place your pet fountain where the air is relatively still and stable.

Simplify Maintenance

Locate the fountain in a spot that is convenient for you to perform regular cleaning and water refills. Proper maintenance is key to ensuring the fountain remains a clean, appealing source of hydration – and the harder it is for you to do it, the higher the likelihood you’ll put it off or neglect it!

Ensure Visibility and Monitoring

Place the fountain where you can easily glance-check the water level and cleanliness without going out of your way. Transparent fountains, such as the Brook glass pet fountain, are ideal for this.

Ensure Accessibility

This consideration is especially important for senior pets and multi-pet homes. Ensure that the fountain is easily accessible, ideally from multiple directions. Ensure there are multiple paths to access the fountain without feeling trapped. An open approach allows pets to drink without stress.

Additionally, balance the placement between quiet and isolated. The fountain should be within easy access, but not in a high-traffic area (remember, in the wild pets are especially vulnerable when they drink, so seek a tranquil spot). A fountain in a semi-active area can encourage more frequent visits without overwhelming your pet.

Keep it Near the Play Area

Cats and dogs, like all mammals, dehydrate from activity. And if your play area involves a Treat Puzzle Feeder (as it should!) – fishing for dry snacks can make them thirsty! So make it easy for them to get a drink after they play and might be feeling too tired to wander far.

Minimize Noise

While the pumps on most pet fountains these days are pretty silent, the flowing water can still produce a trickling sound. While that’s attractive for your pet, it might be bothersome for you – so select a location where you won’t be inconvenienced. As far as your pet – quieter areas can make skittish pets more comfortable approaching the fountain.

Find Suitable Flooring

Consider the type of flooring in the fountain's vicinity. Avoid hardwood or wood composite. Flowing water produces micro-splatter that can damage the wood over time. Moreover, moving water is slightly cooler, so fountains can develop condensation on humid days, which will drip onto the floor. Finally, pets can splash while they drink! So ensure placement on a water-resistant floor (such as tile or vinyl) or a protective mat – or both!

Consider the Power Source

This will probably be your first consideration – “Where’s the outlet?!” – but it should actually be your last. If there is an ideal spot near a power outlet – great! If not: don’t panic – or compromise. Either run an extension cord, or plug your fountain into a medium-size portable power bank. They are relatively inexpensive and can run your fountain for weeks on a single charge!

Place Multiple Fountains

Feeling overwhelmed by all the above? 🙀 What if there’s just no ideal spot in your home? And even if there is, your house or apartment might be big – and there’s no telling where the cat might decide to hang out! The easiest way to solve this is by simply having multiple fountains. Yes – it’s more maintenance and adds expense – but hydration is one of the most important thing for your pet. And this is especially important for senior pets, who might have a harder getting around – while especially needing hydration for maintaining kidney function. So do it for their health!

And there you have it! By considering these factors, you can create an optimal hydration station (or two, or more!) that not only fits well within your home – but seamlessly fits into your routine while enhances your pet’s health and lifestyle. Remember, a well-placed pet fountain can make all the difference in encouraging your pet to stay hydrated! Drink up!