Why does my cat's water fountain get slimy?

Cats are known for their playful personalities, but sometimes their mischief gets the best of them. Their favorite pastime is playing with water, and when they get their hands on a faucet or water fountain, they don’t stop playing until the liquid is spilled all over the place. In this article, we’re going to show you some of the most common causes of your cat’s water fountain becoming slimy and how to prevent it from happening in the future.

What Causes a Cat's Water Fountain to Get Slimy?

Cats enjoy drinking from fountains, and many cats are attracted to the sound of running water. Cats drink more water, which is healthy for them when they use a fountain. Owners who have a hard time getting their cats to drink enough water may want to consider adding a cat fountain.

A cat fountain is basically a bowl that has an internal pump that circulates the water. The pump is usually located at the bottom of the bowl and requires minimal maintenance.

The main reasons why cat fountains get slimy include:

1) The pump isn't working properly
The first thing to check is the pump. If it's not working, or if it's not working correctly, it can cause the fountain to get slimy.

The best way to test this is by simply taking out the pump and putting it back in. If there are any problems with the pump, they should be apparent when you do this. If you don't notice any problems, then you can move on to other causes of the slimy water.

2) There is an accumulation of organic matter or dirt in the bowl itself
The most common reason that a cat water fountain gets slimy is because of an accumulation of organic matter or dirt in the bowl itself. This can be caused by many things such as hair, drool and food particles.

Cleaning the fountain regularly will help prevent this from happening. It's also a good idea to remove and clean the filters at least once per week to prevent bacteria build-up.

3) The Water Fountain Isn't Cleaned Regularly
The most common reason why your cat's water fountain gets slimy is that it isn't cleaned regularly enough. Cats can be pretty particular about their surroundings and they don't like dirty things around them. If you don't clean their bowl often enough (at least once a week), their fur will inevitably get into their bowl and stick onto them due to static electricity in the air (which causes the fur to stick together). This fur eventually sticks together over time and forms lumps in the bowl which resemble slime or algae growths.

How to Clean a Cat's Water Fountain?

If you have a cat, you know that they need fresh water every day. But keeping the fountain clean can be a challenge. Here's how to do it.

Step 1

Remove all of the parts from the fountain and wash them by hand with warm, soapy water. Dry thoroughly before putting them back together.

Step 2

Use a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to remove any food particles or hair from inside the pump chamber. Wipe down the outside of the pump chamber with a damp cloth if necessary.

Step 3

Wipe down the base of the fountain with a damp cloth if there is any dirt or debris in it, but don't use soap on this part of the fountain as it could get into your cat's water and cause health issues.

Step 4

Vacuum out any accumulated hair and fur from inside the bowl with an attachment to your vacuum cleaner. Don't use water or soap in this cleaning step because it could get into your cat's water supply and cause health issues for your pet.

Step 5

Rinse out the fountain thoroughly with warm water and let it air dry.

Prevention Strategies for Keeping a Cat's Water Fountain Clean

Cleaning a water fountain is pretty easy. It just takes a little bit of time and effort. Here are some tips to keep your cat's water fountain clean:

Preventing Bacteria Growth

A cat's water fountain should be cleaned regularly, but it's also important to keep it clean on a daily basis so it doesn't get too dirty. You can make sure that bacteria does not grow by taking the following steps:

Change the water daily. It's important to change the water in the fountain every day so your cat's water is always fresh and clean. You should also wash out any debris or hair that may have accumulated at the bottom of the fountain.

Clean out all debris from the pump or filter daily as well as any debris that may have built up around it. This prevents bacteria from growing inside of it or around it which could cause illness in your cat if he drinks from there later on down the road.

Dirty Pumps?

If you notice that your pump has gotten dirty after using it for a few weeks or months then don't worry! You can easily clean out these pumps using warm water and vinegar until they are completely spotless again!

Conclusion

There could be a few reasons why your cat's water fountain gets slimy. The most common one is that the filter may be blocked. To clean it, you'll need to unscrew the top of the fountain and take out the filter. Then rinse it with fresh water. If that doesn't solve the problem, you may need to replace the entire fountain.