Why You Must (Not "Should") Get a Cat Fountain

A drinking fountain is vital for your cat’s health and longevity. Here's why –

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:

Why a fountain increases hydration

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:

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.

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.

Title

Learn more