MAKE Flickr photo pool member Nicrosin writes – “Recently, for some reason the cats have refused to drink from standing water. They meow like crazy until a faucet is turned on. That got old fast. Solution? Build them a drinking fountain! “ – Link.
32 thoughts on “Homemade cat drinking fountain”
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We had the same “problem” with our cats. We made a drinking fountain outside ans they love it.
My stupid cat too. If there was a way to get fresh water from the faucet and have it cat activated… now that would cool.
Cool Idea,
However my cat loves to knock over his water dish for attention. So I would have to encase it in something heavy with the water dish removeable. Like cement :) Ya kitty knock that over I dare u :)
You may be able to eschew the duct tape (I know, duct tape is always desirable) if you have the lid to that plastic container.
If you trim the lid so it has a rectangular hole that is slightly smaller than the outlet wall plate, you can hold it against the wall with the wall plate. Your container can then be attached to the lid, creating a nice outlet cover.
I used a similar dodge to cover over a switch that controlled the outlet that powers my computer. I was constantly killing my computer whenever I wanted to turn on the lights. A plastic cover let me protect the switch. (No, I didn’t put yellow/black warning tape over it. I save that for the missile launcher switch)
I have one of these…
http://www.catflaps.com/en-gb/dept_4.html
that might be worth figuring out how to make switch a fountain on and off.
The plastic container can be replaced with a child-proof electrical cover:
http://www.safety1st.com/product.asp?productID=173
Note to DanYHKim: I had a similar problem, but with a motion-sensor porch light. A 1/2″ or 3/4″ copper pipe strap (the kind that secures pipe to a wall, a half-circle with ears) fits over the switch, with the holes lining up with those on the switchplate with a little flattening. Allows for intentional switch flipping while blocking clumsy hand swipes at the switch next to it.
Just a thought but one of those IR motion sensors might work great for only running the cat fountain when a cat is around…
I was planning a different type project for my cat. I had thought about pressure sensors on the rim of the sink to turn on a little trickle for my cat, but this is also an interesting idea.
Note to DanYHKim: I had a similar problem, but with a motion-sensor porch light. A 1/2″ or 3/4″ copper pipe strap (the kind that secures pipe to a wall, a half-circle with ears) fits over the switch, with the holes lining up with those on the switchplate with a little flattening. Allows for intentional switch flipping while blocking clumsy hand swipes at the switch next to it.
Just a thought but one of those IR motion sensors might work great for only running the cat fountain when a cat is around…
Note to DanYHKim: I had a similar problem, but with a motion-sensor porch light. A 1/2″ or 3/4″ copper pipe strap (the kind that secures pipe to a wall, a half-circle with ears) fits over the switch, with the holes lining up with those on the switchplate with a little flattening. Allows for intentional switch flipping while blocking clumsy hand swipes at the switch next to it.
Just a thought but one of those IR motion sensors might work great for only running the cat fountain when a cat is around…the module is pretty self contained, 110v in and out.
Why would I want a fountain that drinks my cat?
:)
Why would I want a fountain that drinks my cat?
Solution: Your cats will get slightly thirsty until they realize that the water in their dish is the water they get. It makes me laugh when people say “oh, my cats are picky, they won’t eat so-and-so food”. I reply “My cats eat whatever I give them, and they love me for it, ’cause they go hungry otherwise”.
jcantara
The reason cats are finicky about their food and water is due to their heightened sense of smell..
Tap water contains chlorine and other strong odors. We may not be able to smell them, but cats and dogs can. I had an indoor/outdoor cat once that absolutely despised tap water.. When I would let him outside, he would go to the bowl filled with rain water.
I would advise not starving your cat or denying him/her water or food simply because they refuse to eat or drink.. Think about when you were a kid and your parents made you eat or drink something you disliked!!
jcantara, you live alone, right? your approach is the one i would take, except for my girlfriend who caves to the cat’s demands without a second thought.
I bought an inexpensive beta fish tank with filter and pump and my cats love it.