Drinkwell fountain gone bad?

hello_kitty · **Posted:** Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:44 pm

My husband and I deconstructed it, and removed the filter, and had it on in the kitchen sink overnight running, and then after a washing, gave it back to Sammie with no filter... and now it's fine! It doesn't even feel slimy inside anymore... we did this quite a few days ago, and usually it would've been nasty by now, so we think it must've been the filters causing it, even new ones. So it's now filterless and doing fine, so strange!

I will try to remember to look for some of that baby bottle cleaner, though! nice tip!

It'd still be nice to be able to run it through the dishwasher

swirlypepper · **Joined:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:58 pm **Posts:** 743

I have no idea if this is related at all, but I bought a water jug with a filter in it which turned my water milky. It was apparently because the water I get was too hard so instead of it all getting filtered it was partly working and clumping the ions together but wasn't able to filter it all out. So I basically had visible partially dissolved limescale...same as what I'd normally drink but when it's not cloudy I don't have to think about it. Do you think the water you're getting has changed at all?

hello_kitty · **Posted:** Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:05 pm

Jim · **Posted:** Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:42 pm

tameeria · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:14 am

I've got the Platinum fountain and it goes through the dishwasher about once a month. Never had any problems with it so far. I clean the motor monthly as recommended and it rarely ever has any dirt on it at all.

lnt999 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:27 am

We had a catit fountain and found that the water was becoming all scummy just as described. So actually the filters are not really that good, and you're actually better without the filter?

junglerose · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:59 am

Hi

Water management whe dealing with cats is very important, lot of bugs can grow in water and cause illness in cats.

Fresh drinking water is essential.
In homes the warm and wet environment is perfect for bug growth.
Fountains must be cleaned regularly, I would say every day or perhaps every two days at the most. In very warm weather or a warm house perhaps more frequently.
With a bowl of water the cat often gets to the bottom of it quite quickly so it being contaminated by bug growth isn't so likely, you empty it, wash it and replace the water frequently, but with the volume of water contained in a fountain you could go for a long time with the same stuff, especially if you are just topping up.
These fountains are not refrigerated, the water on a warm day is very warm, I would doubt that the filter system is of any real use in removing bacteria and viruses.
The filters must also be changed very regularly as well, as they soon clog up and become over loaded. Filters can actually be excellent places for bugs to grow, feeding on the muck that has just been filtered.

I am not a fan.

sue · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:11 am

Hi
I have read this post with great intereest and have a question to ask, what if you remove the filter and change all of the water daily, would that be healthier? I was going to buy one today as Zak constantly overturns his water bowl (even though it has a rubber base!) and he seems to be facinated by the tap (OH says no way can Zak be allowed to go on counter tops in the kitchen...), just hoping for a solution

sue

junglerose · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:42 am

sue · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:45 am

manic cats · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:07 pm

sue · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:20 pm

Drinkwell fountain gone bad?

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