Benefits of Cat Water Fountains: Glacier Point Pet Fountains
It is a well-known fact that cats are not heavy water drinkers, which is why so many of them are prone to kidney disease. The best way to make water appealing to cats is to serve it cold and fresh, but how do you do that? Even if you change your cat’s water several times a day, it still gives it enough time to get hot.
If you want to keep your cat’s water drink-ready at all times, try a cat fountain! On the other hand, if you want to get your cat the top fountain on the market, go with Glacier Point Cat Fountains! Here is everything you need to know about cat fountains and what makes Glacier Point stand out.
What Are Cat Fountains?
Cat fountains are water basins for cats that provide a continuous cold water flow. They can drink directly from the water basin, like a classic bowl, or choose the flowing part of the fountain. Have you ever seen your cat drink from the tap? It is because cats enjoy flowing water.
Another important aspect is the temperature of the water in the fountain. Not only is the water offered in a more attractive style, but it is also served at the optimum temperature. This will make your cat drink more water and preserve the water’s best characteristics.
Glacier Point Cat Fountains also filter the water and run it through high-quality piping. In addition, their products are made from safe materials that prevent the development of unwanted bacteria. This way, your cat can drink the safest possible water.
Why Is Temperature So Important?
Have you ever drunk from a bottle of water that’s been sitting all day in a sunny car? Your answer is most likely no. The other option is yes, but I really wish I hadn’t. Warm water is not tasty, and the warmer it gets, the less appealing it is to humans and cats. Temperature is one key factor involved in water quality, and here’s why:
Temperature defines how much water can make the sensation of thirst go away
Like us, cats drink water when they feel thirsty. However, the difference is that they would most likely wait longer before drinking. This is because when they drink, they must have fresh cold water; otherwise, their feeling of thirst will still be present. And while you might think that this would lead to the cat drinking more water, in reality, what happens is the exact opposite. Cats are stubborn, and they will wait until their water is changed.
Temperature can affect the taste of the water
Cold water is always going to taste better than warm water. According to the Safe Drinking Water Foundation, the optimal temperature for drinking water is 60-61°F and it stays within acceptable limits until 66°F. But why is water warmer than 66°F not appealing? And why is the water at 61°F better than water at 66°F? One of the critical elements is taste.
As the water gets warmer, you can feel any earthy, muddy, musty, or moldy elements. When the water is chilled, its taste is reduced significantly. Water is, in fact, supposed to be odorless and tasteless. As for the taste, it certainly depends on the source of the water. For instance, tap water tastes more poignant than bottled water.
Temperature can affect how safe the water is
The temperature of the water determines the type of bacteria and other organisms that can develop in it. As water becomes warm, the environment is favorable for the development of bacteria. Moreover, still-warm water, such as the one in a cat bowl lying on the floor the entire day, is suitable for bacteria to roam around. This is where the cat fountain can genuinely make a difference because it keeps water cool and flowing at all times.
The Benefits Brought by Cat Fountains
Cat fountains are going to make water more appealing to your cat, but they are also going to make it safer to drink. As mentioned above, the characteristics of cold Cat fountains will make water more appealing to your cat, but they will also make it safer to drink. As mentioned above, the characteristics of cold water are superior to those of warm water. Therefore, cold water will be more active in your cat’s metabolism and have a higher concentration of dissolved oxygen.
As for the cat’s predisposition to kidney disease, drinking the correct amount of high-quality water can decrease that significantly. Cat fountains are an investment in your cat’s future because they can help prevent kidney disease.
Water consumption is also vital in the recuperation process of cats with kidney disease and many other illnesses, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Convincing sick cats to drink water is complicated enough, but cold fresh water might make a difference.
Types of Glacier Point Cat Fountains
Glacier Point Cat Fountains offer five products to serve a specific purpose. They are all made in America from high-quality materials. Here are a few characteristics that make this company state-of-the-art when it comes to cat fountains:
● The ceramic bowls are lead-free and high-fired to create a non-porous surface in the basin. This prevents mold and bacteria from forming on the surface of the bowl.
● The tee-tops for the streaming section of the fountains are made out of pharmaceutical-grade tubing, which has an inner liner that releases silver ions, which prevent the development of pathological bacteria.
● The silver Tygon tubes are connected to the tee tops and they are also antimicrobial treated. They also prevent the colonization of bacteria and other pathological organisms such as fungi, algae, or molds.
● A foam pre-filter is placed to ensure that cat hair and other impurities do not enter the pump.
● Glacier Point does not use toxic plasticizers, DEHP, or phthalates as additives in the tubing manufacturing process and fittings. These are also free from PVC, Bisphenol-A and animal derivative components.
Here is a detailed description of the Glacier Point product line:
1. Spectrum Pet Fountain
Ceramic Bowl Dimensions: 10 1/2” diameter x 3” tall/ 2 quarts capacity
This is the cat fountain starter pack. It is the simplest and most accessible product in the Glacier Point product line. While simple, it can be used in homes with two cats because it has two water streams. It features a circular water container and a double stream flowing from the tee-top, which is antimicrobial-treated.
For this design, the water has to be changed daily or at least several times a week. The fountain is simple to clean and keep clean. The water can come out as a stream, but if the cat does not like that, the tee top can be removed, leaving the water to enter the basin through a tube, which causes a bubble effect.
2. The Basic Pet Fountain – Cat Drinking Fountain
Ceramic Basin Dimensions: 12” long x 6” wide x 3 ½” tall / 3 quarts capacity
Additional Refill Capacity: 1 gallon (4- 32 oz glass bottles)
This is the classic Glacier Point cat fountain model. It has space for 4 glass bottles that you can connect to it. One 16 oz glass bottle comes with the fountain, but you can use other glass bottles from commercial products for the rest. Placing the bottles in is very easy. Hold the bottle opening with your finger as you place it inside, and gently remove it as you screw the bottle into place.
3. High Capacity Basic Cat and Dog Water Fountain
Ceramic Basin Dimensions: 12” long x 6” wide x 6” tall / 6 quarts capacity
Additional Refill Capacity: 96 ounces with 4 – 32 oz glass bottles
This is the one for you if you have several pets in your home and need a heavy-duty cat fountain. It is double the size of the basic model and comes with a 32-oz glass bottle. The capacity of the water bowl is 6 quarts. Still, the additional capacity goes up to 96 ounces, which you can add to the glass bottles.
4. The Perfect Pet Fountain
Ceramic Basin Dimensions: 12” long x 6” wide x 3 ½” tall / 3 quarts capacity
Additional Refill Capacity: 1 gallon (4- 32 oz glass bottles)
This pet fountain model comes complete with an electronic Ice Probe chiller, which keeps the water at 59°F, which is the optimum temperature for drinking water. It is identical to the Basic Pet Fountain but has a chiller as an added benefit. This is the most complete cat fountain that Glacier Point has to offer and we here at Floppycats have tried it and loved it.
This is the recommended product because it enhances the quality of the water by serving it cool and fresh. While the previous three products are above standard pet store fountains, this model brings the most advantages.
5. High-Capacity Pet Fountain with Chiller
Ceramic Basin Dimensions: 12” long x 6” wide x 6” tall / 6 quarts capacity
Additional Refill Capacity: 3/4 gallon with 3 – 32 oz glass bottles
This is the recommended product because it enhances the quality of the water by serving it cool and fresh. While the previous three products are above standard pet store fountains, this model brings the most advantages.
Why Are Glacier Point Cat Fountains the Most Hygienic Choice?
Cat fountains you can find in pet stores are cheaper than what Glacier Point has to offer, but they are of inferior quality. They offer flowing water, but not water that is safe to drink. In addition, most pet store fountains can be adequately cleaned to ensure no mold formation.
Moreover, the materials are not tested properly to check if they support biofilm formation. This includes the surface of the water bowl and inside the tubing. They also hold half the amount of water that a Glacier Point fountain does, which limits them.
Most of them do not feature additional water bottles, so after a few hours, the water bowl will be half-full at best when some of the water is drunk by the cat. As any cat owner knows, that is not a pretty sight for cats.
Glacier Point has considered the biggest problems with the cat fountains on the market, and they have created the technology to fix them. Their cat fountains are the only ones that can actually be kept mold-free. They are made from carefully selected materials that are lead-free and high-fired to create a non-porous surface in the basin.
Together with the silver-treated tubing, their products are taking a stance on pathogen development and offering cats water that is truly safe to drink. When the water passes through the fountain’s pump filter, it removes chlorine, other toxins, and other impurities. This means that you can easily use tap water with Glacier Point products.
Another advantage is that it has an enlarged capacity. It even comes with water bottles that can be removed, cleaned, and changed. With standard cat fountains, the additional water refills, if any, are not removable, which makes them difficult or impossible to clean.
As you can see, there are more benefits than meets the eye to cat fountains. Glacier Point cat fountains can make a difference because they provide a high-quality product that offers your cat cold fresh water.
Have you ever tried a cat fountain? Was your cat excited to drink from it? Did your cat stay interested in it? Did your cat get to drink more water? Tell us about your experiences with cat fountains in the comments section below.
Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
Great post, Jenny honey! We tried a fountain years ago wen Miss PSB was a kitten. I got a beautiful creamic fountain from Etsy (GORGEOUS!) and she was okay with it but she actually preferred to drink from a second water bowl (PawNosh bowl) I kept on the dining room table. Quirky girl. Now, I have a single ceramic water bowl I keep full on water for her in an isolated area in our living room. She does very well with it and stays well hyrdrated from using it.
Big hugs & lots of love & purrs & happy holidays!
Patti & Miss Pink Sugarbelle 🙂 <3