How to make my cat stop drinking from my desk fountain??

[amnesiac]

I have a couple of those homedics desk fountains, and I find that the water level in them drops much faster than could be attributed to any amount of evaporation. I have concluded that my cat has decided to use them as his personal water bowls. It wouldn't be a problem if I didn't have to keep worrying about the pumps burning out after he drains them.

Is there anything I can put inside the water to stop him from doing that? I figured bleach would make him sick (which would accomplish the objective, but I'm trying to be humane here), pirahnas are too expensive, and a pit bull would probably drown. Maybe vinegar or alcohol or something? Any ideas?

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

did you actually see him drinking it? water in fountains evaporates FAST.

 

[amnesiac]

You think 2 cups would evaporate in < 24 hours?

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

definitely. my gf got some little fountain and it prolly holds a few cups, that can easily evaporate in a day, and its where the cat could not possibly get to it..

when we first got it, the next morning it was making some horrid noise, i just thought "cheap pos" but we put in more water and it was fine...it was just loud from not enough water.

i thought it was kinda wierd but then again, theres like a 12" radius around the damn thing where little drops of water get flinged out

 

[bacillus]

me thinks the cat should get legal representation on this matter!

 

[amnesiac]

Good point.. This is a waterfall type thing with a light.. the light gets kind of hot plus the water goes down an 8" wall so I guess that leaves plenty of room for evaporation.. in any case if I see my cat drinking that water i'll kick his ass.

 

[Nefrodite]

some ppl put scent oils in their fountains can be found at places that sell them no idea what these scent oils are...or if they are just relabelled something else

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< Good point.. This is a waterfall type thing with a light.. the light gets kind of hot plus the water goes down an 8" wall so I guess that leaves plenty of room for evaporation.. in any case if I see my cat drinking that water i'll kick his ass. >>


i second the kicking of the cat's ass

my cat, for once, is sleeping peacefully under my chair right now. usually he is running around like a psycho knocking things down, making a mess, and gnawing on various extremeties of mine (woah....DONT use your imagination there..:Q)

 

[ericb]

One of my cats loves the fountain and will drink from it over anything else. It holds around a quart of more of water and I'd still have to fill it every day and a half with or without the cat drinking from it.

 

[Baffler]

<< some ppl put scent oils in their fountains >>


Catnip

 

[cavingjan]

Cats will prefer the fresher water associated with a fountain. It doesn't get the chance to stagnate like the water bowl. I've been thinking of ways to add to the capacity of my fountain at home so when I discover that perfect way, I'll let you know.

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

My cat loves to drink out of my fountain. Try putting something around the fountain that the can't won't cross (like Saran Wrap, aluminum foil, a piece of plastic runner spike-side-up or give the fountain a spritz of a cat repellant (it's some herbal thing - bought mine at a pet store). After a while, hopefully the cat will get the hint and stay away and you can remove the stuff.

 

[AnthraX101]

How about changing the water to salt water? I think that would repel them.

Armani

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

See if it is really your cat before you do anything. Fill it with alcohol and if pussy gets drunk and falls over, you bagged it.

 

[StrangeRanger]

microwave the cat
j

 

[Tangerine]

^
^
^
Ugh! Haters :|


Anyway, I wouldn't try to win this battle, give up and let the cat drink. Just fill the fountain more often.

 

[Ih8canada]

antifreeze


lol no dont do that just punish the cat next time you see it up there.

 

[McPhreak]

<< How about changing the water to salt water? I think that would repel them.

Armani >>



I don't think the salt would be very good for the pumps.

You should be glad that he doesn't do the #2 in your fountain....

 

[luv2chill]

bahahah I think that's cute... I have exactly the same fountain you're talking about (waterfall with the light) and the water level does go down way too fast. It's not mainly from evaporation though, it's from splashing. I've yet to figure out how to keep it from doing that but it may be a lost cause. Well anyway, good luck with your cat...

<eric cartman voice>no kitty that's MY soothing fountain... argh kitty that's a BAD kitty!</eric cartman voice>

l2c

 

[Brutuskend]

Antifreeze.

It will slow down evaporation, and if the cat IS drinking from it, it WILL definitely slow down the cat! Plus give the water that cool green color!!

J/K

Still there must be something you can add to the water that will taste BAD to the cat. (and may be slow down the evaporation at the same time)

 

[stev0]

Pour some scented extract in there, it stopped my sisters cat from drinking out of hers. And since it is all natural, it really shouldn't harm your cat, plus it smells good. (ie: pure lemon extract)

 

[Pakaderm]

Fill it with beer. Do cats like beer?

-Pak

 

[MaxDSP]

anybody know of places where I can get good deals on the desk fountains? They seem pretty relaxing and Ive always wanted to get one

 

[rgwalt]

Cats really enjoy running water much more than stagnet water out of a bowl. My cat actually died because she didn't drink enough water. Kidney failure. My recommendation would be to get a cat watering fountain for her. They make them and they entice the cat to drink.

Ryan

 

[Murpheeee]

My cats used mine as footbaths.
They would sit there and dip their paws in it, then shake water all over my desk!

I had to stop using it, everything was getting soaked.