Fountain care
How to clean a cat water fountain, step by step
A daily and weekly routine for cleaning a cat water fountain: taking it apart, cleaning the pump, changing filters, limescale and keeping power parts dry.
A water fountain only helps your cat if the water in it is clean. Hair, dust, food crumbs and saliva end up in the water every day, and the pump and filter collect them. Left alone, a fountain soon grows a slimy film on its surfaces and the flow slows down. The good news is that a fountain takes only a few minutes a day and about a quarter of an hour once a week. This guide walks through the routine.
What you need
- Warm water and a little unscented washing-up liquid
- A soft cloth or sponge kept just for pet bowls
- A small bottle brush or old toothbrush for corners, spouts and the pump
- A clean tea towel
- A spare filter if one is due
Avoid bleach, strong disinfectants and scented cleaners. Even a trace left behind can taint the water. Cats Protection already warns that some bowl materials can taint water, so do not add the taste of a cleaner on top. Whatever you use, rinse until there is no smell and no foam left.
Every day
- Check the water level. Never let the pump run in an empty or nearly empty fountain. Our Wi-Fi fountain shows a red light and sends an app reminder when the water is low, and switches its pump off rather than running dry. The pump of our cordless fountain is described by the supplier as protected against running dry. Top up all the same.
- Refresh the water. If the water looks dusty or has hair or food floating in it, empty it and refill with fresh tap water rather than topping up.
- Wipe the drinking area with a clean damp cloth.
Every week: the full clean
1. Switch off and disconnect
Unplug the fountain or switch it off before you touch the water. For a wired fountain, unplug the adapter from the socket first, then disconnect the cable from the fountain. For a USB fountain, unplug the USB cable. For a cordless fountain, switch it off and take the battery or top unit away from the water as the manual describes.
2. Empty and take it apart
Pour away the old water. Lift out the filter and take the fountain apart as far as the manual allows: usually the top or lid, the water tank or bowl, the filter holder and the pump.
3. Wash the bowl and tank
Wash the tank, the bowl and the top in warm soapy water with your soft cloth. Use the brush on corners, the spout and the area around the outlet, where film builds up first. Rinse every part thoroughly in clean water.
4. Clean the pump
The pump is the part most people forget. Hair winds round the impeller, the small spinning part inside, and slows the flow.
- Open the pump cover as the manual shows. Most pull or twist off.
- Lift out the impeller and pull off any hair.
- Brush the impeller and the inside of the pump housing under running water. Keep the cable end and any connector out of the water if the manual says so.
- Put the impeller back and close the cover. Check that it spins freely.
5. Deal with the filter
Filters catch hair and food bits and usually contain material such as activated carbon. Follow the manual for your model:
- Some filters can be rinsed in clean water between changes. Do not use soap on a filter unless the manual says you can.
- Replace the filter at the interval the manual gives. For our Wi-Fi fountain, the supplier suggests every 15 to 30 days, and the app reminds you when it is due.
- Replace it sooner if it looks clogged, smells or the flow has slowed.
Our cordless fountain comes with two filter elements and two pieces of filter cotton, so you have a spare set ready.
6. Dry and reassemble
Dry the parts with a clean tea towel, put the fountain back together with the pump seated properly and the filter in place, and fill it with fresh water up to the maximum mark. Reconnect the power with dry hands and check that water flows normally.
Limescale in hard water areas
Hard water contains dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which leave limescale behind. Water companies such as Anglian Water and Thames Water explain that hardness comes from the rock the water passes through, and both describe the water in their regions as hard. Your own water company can tell you how hard the water is where you live. In a fountain, limescale shows as a white or chalky crust on the spout, the tank and inside the pump, and it slows the impeller.
To keep on top of it:
- Clean weekly, so scale does not build up.
- Scrub scaled spots with your brush during the weekly clean.
- If the manual allows a descaler, use a mild one such as diluted white vinegar on the removable parts, then rinse very thoroughly until no smell remains.
- Some owners fill their fountain with filtered water to reduce scale. Fresh tap water is fine too, as long as you clean the fountain regularly.
Keeping power parts safe
- Never put the pump cable, plug, USB connector, adapter or battery unit in water or in a dishwasher.
- Make sure every connector is completely dry before you plug it back in.
- Charge a cordless fountain's battery unit away from the water bowl, as the manual describes.
- Check cables for chew marks when you clean. Replace a damaged cable or adapter and do not use the fountain until you have.
Dishwasher or not?
Some fountain tanks and lids are dishwasher safe and some are not. Only put parts in a dishwasher if the manual says you can. The pump, cables and any part with electronics must never go in.
A quick routine to remember
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every day | Check the water level, refresh the water, wipe the drinking area |
| Every week | Switch off, empty, take apart, wash tank and bowl, clean the pump, rinse or check the filter |
| At the filter interval | Fit a new filter (our Wi-Fi fountain: every 15 to 30 days, per the supplier) |
| When you see scale | Scrub, and descale removable parts if the manual allows |
When the fountain is clean but your cat will not drink
If your cat avoids a freshly cleaned fountain, rinse it again: a trace of washing-up liquid can be enough to put a cat off. Check the fountain is still in a quiet place away from food and the litter tray, and keep a plain bowl of water nearby. Our guide Do cats need a water fountain? covers placement and what Cats Protection advises. If your cat drinks much more or much less than usual, speak to your vet.
You can compare our two fountains on the cat water fountains page.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my cat's water fountain?
Refill it with fresh water every day and take it apart for a full clean about once a week, including the pump. Clean it more often if several pets use it or you see a slimy film or hair building up.
How often should I change the fountain filter?
Follow the manual for your fountain. For our Wi-Fi fountain the supplier suggests every 15 to 30 days. Change it sooner if it looks clogged or the water flow slows down.
Can I put a cat fountain in the dishwasher?
Only the parts the manual says are dishwasher safe. Never put the pump, the cable, the battery unit or any part with electronics in a dishwasher or under running water.
What should I clean a cat fountain with?
Warm water with a little unscented washing-up liquid and a soft brush or cloth. Rinse until there is no smell or foam left. Avoid bleach and strongly scented cleaners.
