Any ideas on how to encourage a cat to drink from it?
1128678
My cats love the fountain and have from day one. I had it easy though, they were used to drinking out of the sink and that was their preferred source prior to the fountain. I placed the fountain right next to the sink and since it was in the same area they were used to getting water it was an easy transition. I did have to move the fountain when doing some work in the bathroom and found the cats weren't using it as much. Once back in it's place they returned to normal use. I guess my suggestion could be to place it on the bathroom sink (if you have the space). Cats are used to running water there even if they don't drink from the faucet like my cats did. My cats love the fountain and have from day one. I had it easy though, they were used to drinking out of the sink and that was their preferred source prior to the fountain. I placed the fountain right next to the sink and since it was in the same area they were used to getting water it was an easy transition. I did have to move the fountain when doing some work in the bathroom and found the cats weren't using it as much. Once back in it's place they returned to normal use. I guess my suggestion could be to place it on the bathroom sink (if you have the space). Cats are used to... » Read More My cats love the fountain and have from day one. I had it easy though, they were used to drinking out of the sink and that was their preferred source prior to the fountain. I placed the fountain right next to the sink and since it was in the same area they were used to getting water it was an easy transition. I did have to move the fountain when doing some work in the bathroom and found the cats weren't using it as much. Once back in it's place they returned to normal use. I guess my suggestion could be to place it on the bathroom sink (if you have the space). Cats are used to running water there even if they don't drink from the faucet like my cats did. « Show Less
1128679
The only thing I would think to do is put it exactly where the old water fountain/bowl, my cats took to it instantly so hard to say really.
1128680
How long have you had it? It took a couple of days for my cats to figure out what it was and start drinking from it.
1128681
My cat loved it immediately. That is, until a few months went by and he refused to drink out of it and even got sick. Despite always having regularly cleaned it and having fresh filters in it constantly, I was not advised anywhere in the instructions, nor had I even thought of cleaning out the water pump. That was, until when I had dismantled it to clean one day, I just so happen to notice that there was a thick, coats of grime and what appeared to be acid buildup from the battery that supplied energy to the pump apparatus. I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it. But then when I took it apart with a screwdriver just so that I could clean it out and take a better look at it, I nearly threw up. The pump which is about 2" x 2", had about 3 in. of God knows what growing inside of it. It resembled a brownish petroleum jelly, and I had to scrub it out with a toxic degreaser, which I did for about 25 minutes before just throwing it away. A few weeks later I bought a brand-new machine altogether, and he drink out of it for about three days and then gave it up. So to answer your question, no I don't. As I said, mine loved it. But if you do get one, just please take into account what I said and even though the pump may not look dirty, regularly clean it out and look inside of the vents of the pump to see is anything has "grown" within it. I felt so horrible for making him drink out of what probably tasted like used toilet water, that I babied him for weeks; that is, after paying $300 to the vet to get him healthy again. Be careful.
1128682
Our cats have the catit fountain, and have been drinking from it from day one. They prefer it to "still" water in a bowl. My sister's maltipoo loves cat water as well, so I bought him one to use at his house. He seemed startled by it at first, but returned to it it after a walk the next day and has used it since with no trouble. I would give your kitty a couple days to get used to it.
1128683
I put a few cubes of ice on top which draw my kitty's attention and actually he did drink from it. However in the long run this fountain didn't work for us. I changed for a drinkwell stainless steel fountain which he loves.
665677
My pet is a small dog and it works very well. I put it in her drinking water. I would put a few drops on something your cat will eat - fish or cream cheese. Don't be afraid to use too much - 4 drops would be fine. It isn't a narcotic and won't dramatically knock your cat out. It takes the edge off. I also like a product called Composure.
1072212
I'm sorry, I have not used the Habitrail set yet, but I have seen this complaint before. If water drips from the bottle & Hammy ignores it, my only suggestion is to put water in a small heavy bowl so it isn't tippable, and Hammy can still drink like a cat or dog.
1593090
Well as it is a pet fountain I have drank from it, but my cats will only drink from the pet fountain. I had a regular water bowl in the kitchen with tap water. I set the fountain up in my greatroom and they will walk out of the kitchen and over to the fountain to drink. I imagine the water tastes like that from a Britta pitcher or a Pur tap filter since they are carbon filters which is what Britta and Pur use.
567136
I know this was asked over a month ago but just today I had a 5lb cat stand on the lid just right so as to shatter the glass. I'd do what you can to keep cats off of it.
790623
Peter, I have never had a cat that only drinks from running water. The current kitty of the house loves drinking out of a water-hose, and my moms waterfall. It kind of bubbles up from the center hole.. think of holding a hose upside down so the water goes up, now think of the water on just hard enough to uprush about a 1/2 inch or less. This is the action of the fountain. It runs down the curves dome and sometimes my cat will drink from the side instead of the fountain part. I hope this helps. My cat loves it now but when I first got it he didn't know what to make of it. I placed his water bowl alongside and waited for natural curiosity to introduce it to him. Peter, I have never had a cat that only drinks from running water. The current kitty of the house loves drinking out of a water-hose, and my moms waterfall. It kind of bubbles up from the center hole.. think of holding a hose upside down so the water goes up, now think of the water on just hard enough to uprush about a 1/2 inch or less. This is the action of the fountain. It runs down the curves dome and sometimes my cat will drink from the side instead of the fountain part. I hope this helps. My cat loves it now but when I first got it he didn't know what to make of it. I placed his water... » Read More Peter, I have never had a cat that only drinks from running water. The current kitty of the house loves drinking out of a water-hose, and my moms waterfall. It kind of bubbles up from the center hole.. think of holding a hose upside down so the water goes up, now think of the water on just hard enough to uprush about a 1/2 inch or less. This is the action of the fountain. It runs down the curves dome and sometimes my cat will drink from the side instead of the fountain part. I hope this helps. My cat loves it now but when I first got it he didn't know what to make of it. I placed his water bowl alongside and waited for natural curiosity to introduce it to him. « Show Less
1037926
Use something your cat loves. I tried a variety of things, but their favorite treat is the one that matters to them the most.
1696770
I put some cat nip allll over it! I also put ours by a window, they love that! You could put their favorite toys on it too. I'm sure right now they are thinking, "what s strange plant that is", or something funny lol if they love to play like ours, the cat nip and toys should help :) if not, you haver very picky kitties! Lol!
1321401
I held off feeding my outdoor cat and then I put a small bowl of wet food inside the tube one time to introduce the Tube. Putting the food right near the door is also a good idea. He will go in as soon as it is cold enough unless he has a warmer place to sleep somewhere else. You didn't mention if you have blankets or straw in the Tube. Your cat may not like blankets and prefer straw.
1405278
Make sure the window is VERY clean. I used a tiny dab of oil and spread it on the inside of each cup (doesn't take much). The perch has been up for a couple of months and withstood opening and closing of the window as well as the cats jumping in and out.
668019
I have 7 cats and they each approached it at different times, but all within a couple of days. Though most cats like to drink from running water, if yours have not been exposed to running water before, it may take a couple of days for them to become comfortable with it, but then they will love drinking from the fountain part, because it puts more oxygen into the water.
668952
My cats drink from it too...the water is bubbling on top and then it pours over the sides..my smaller cats drink from the sides and I have taller cats that drink from the top. There is no pool of water at the bottom where they can drink from...the pets must drink from the top or the water falling on the sides of the unit. I hope this helps.
458338
Add a little olive oil to the dry cat food, or you can give them some canned cat food as a treat.
1504862
Water or food would be fine, I used a medicine dropper a put it directly in my cats mouth.
835894
If you hold it while the cat drinks it will be fine. It would probably tip if you set it down though.
600620
Not at all! Both of my cats actually seem to prefer drinking from it. (They also prefer stealing the dogs' bed to using their own).
1321402
It's not a good idea to put catnip inside- you never know what other cats will take the invite. Trust his instincts- he'll take shelter before he freezes. You might want to offer some type of food right next to the tube. Tuna or salmon works wonders! Good luck!