SUPRISINGLY GROSS: Cat Water Fountain Cleaning Step by Step

[@juadonna]

Excellent! I would like to add : Clean around the suction cups on the bottom of the pump and any cord that is in the water. Thank you.

[@zachcrawford539]

I thought I was cleaning my water fountain so well until I saw this video. I had no idea that it would pop apart in so many different pieces to allow me to clean every part. Thank you for posting this. Our cats are now drinking much cleaner water.

[@MeloCat]

Is it pretty gross once u open the pump?

[@diannedieterly7764]

I just bought one and it produced ick. I found your youtube and was able to dismantle and clean the unit without issues! Thanks for being there.

[@MeloCat]

Glad it helped! Please clean a few times a week as that's ruff build up fast. We eventually switched to normal good old glass and ceramic bowls all over the house instead, so that works just as good too as they are much easier to wash

[@emoryrubyg9631]

I've been through so many water fountains and always had trouble keeping them clean no matter how many times I scrubbed them but now I'm realizing it's probably because I didn't take apart and clean the pump. I had no idea you could do that. Thanks for posting this! 😊

[@jennifersk1800]

Thank you. I just cleaned my cats fountain and pump. I feel like a bad cat mom for missing this part of the fountain.

[@Peskyzit]

Thank you for this! I discovered this myself today and decided to look it up. I feel so bad that the pump was so dirty. 😭😭😭 No wonder the fountain would never stay clean no matter how frequently I cleaned it.

[@MeloCat]

It's pretty gross isn't it?

[@maggierose1101]

I use Catit fountains and they specifically show you how to clean the pump and how important it is. I’ve also used Veken and Wonder Creature and they also emphasize that . Read the instruction insert and it’s there.

[@jroc01]

Just cleaned my guys fountain a few minutes ago.I learned about this when my wife thought it was broken but it was just debris in the pump,I took the pump apart and got up n running.

[@macheadg5er]

Excellent video. Ours actually had instructions to clean the pump but after a few months and mold coming back just days after cleaning each time we stopped using it for awhile. Rather just put fresh water down in a fresh bowl every day. However, this lead to a problem with one of ours cats and the reason we purchased the fountain to begin with and that was she was not drinking enough water and her kidneys were showing signs of stress. Sure enough signs of dehydration and very little pee in her litter box returned so we decided to try something. I took apart the fountain stuck it in the dishwater and success! Super clean and easy to do every few days. Only thing you need to do is cover the usb tip. The rest washes just fine. Not sure this would work for other brands but it works well for ours. Only part that MIGHT have an issue is the pump but a new pump is just $3 so i bought one as back up just in case. The amount of water she drinks shot back up and I'd say about 4 times as much as she drinks from a bowl. She just prefers to drink from running water. lol

[@theuniverselovesumorethanuknow]

My baby bottle cleaning brushes have a couple more varieties I really love. There’s one in the shape of a triangle which I love so no metal tip scratches the plastic pump and an itty bitty one I love for the tight corners.

[@seanprasad8687]

Automatic sub button! Thanks for the video. Do you have any thoughts on using vinegar / water solution for deeper cleaning every 2 weeks?

[@janetnelson4500]

Thanks so very much.... now I know the proper way to clean my fountain

[@sparra3819]

Oookay.... so my thought to purchase a kitty fountain is now ixnay, I sure don't need all that extra cleaning hassle. I've only ever used fresh water bowls, one in kitchen, one in bathroom, which I clean often but minimally quick hand wipe and refresh at least 2x daily. My cats have never ignored them, they especially do like to come drink when they hear me refreshing their bowl with nice fresh cool water. I have nice clear glass bowls and place them on the floor on an absorbent towel. I may though invest in a Brita for the refrigerator to remove the chemical scent, at least for the kitchen bowl and for myself. (but hey... nicely done vid and helpful for many!)

[@alexmacol228]

Hi there! Thank you for the tips about cleaning all those parts! Have a great week! 🇧🇷( Yes I'm a Brazilian who follows your channel)😊

[@MeloCat]

Hey Alex !! You're welcome! Do you ise one of these as well?

[@alexmacol228]

@@MeloCat Hi!!!! No! But I have a friend that might be using one of those so I'll show her this video. Very explanatory! I love cats!

[@MeloCat]

Awww thank you! Yeah most people who use these fountains don't know about it so cats suffer , thanks for sharing !

[@alexmacol228]

@@MeloCat Thank you for bringing this subject to the channel!!! Have a wonderful day!! 😻😻😻😻😻😻

[@GizzardGary]

On the cat fountain I own (Wopet), there are detailed instructions for disassembling and cleaning the pump, which you are supposed to follow every two weeks, along with the rest of the unit. So other manufacturers don't include instructions on how to clean the pump? Or do that many people just throw away the instructions?

[@mp1021]

Never knew most of the cleanings and taken apart to cleanings

[@spiralflash6169]

I use a different design and brand, but same issues. The first time I took the pump apart...ewwww! It's really hard to get apart, too, even with a knife. I've checked out different designs and materials, and I wanted to upgrade to a ceramic one after we move, but I don't see how you can clean the interior and it "doesn't need" a filter, so I am suspicious. A lot of them say to clean them in the dishwasher, but I don't have one, so there's that... Thanks for posting!

[@Kara-x4n1e]

Thankyou!

[@kereuee]

A tip: soak it in vinegar, dish soap and water before cleaning.

[@frappelover6213]

That's what I was thinking, I use vinegar for everything

[@theuniverselovesumorethanuknow]

Me, too!

[@swedishpsychopath8795]

Is the filter really needed if you clean the machine completely at least once a week like you did AND change the water every day? I have a metal bowl with water for my cat and I change the water 1-2 times a day AND clean the bowl evey morning. If I don't clean it then the inside of the bowl will get a slimy and smelly surface and the cat don't like the water then. I want to buy a fountain for my cat but not if I have to spend 20 dollar every month to buy new filters.

[@MeloCat]

Try ceramic ones or even glass ones, and skip the fountain if you can change the water once or twice a day, that's the best bet!! Hope that helps and thanks for being so attentive to your meows

[@NightmareRex6]

yea i been wondering that too like if just used a screen instead filter, i assume that is ok as most filters are just some paper and carbon and think its more freshen and stop buildup of gunk. unless your using one those premium fountains that uses a real filter which would be cylandical shape typicaly and woudl work by ALL water passing thugh, most it passes THUGH AND AROUND. dont see why not just gimick to make them more money?

[@NightmareRex6]

yea i got the orsada one becuase heard its one the eaiser one to clean how ofton should you wash the ataul pump im assumine every 1-3 weeks? also what happens if take a pump from one fountain to another? can a pump also be looted out an old fishtank filter?

[@MeloCat]

Every second day is how often we had to wash it, it's very high maintenance. So if anything basic bowls are even easier to maintain

[@funzie6407]

*sees the pop open part that was magnetic* THAT PART CAN OPEN?! NOOOO!! *goes back to clean that part of the filter* welp xD add that to my "to do list" next time i clean it again thank you for this video!

[@emilyeah]

I say stainless steel!!! MUCH more hygienic. Thanks for the demonstration!

[@tlhoptowit]

What do you use to replace the lubricant inside the pump?

[@MeloCat]

There's no lubricant

[@RyanGentCountryBoyRy]

How ya Doin? I used to keep Salt Water Reef tanks so totaly get trying to clean pumps hoses and water containers. You can use Bleach to soak the whole thing and will sterilize all surfaces, even run the pump for a few hours (someplace the Cats can Not get to). Then the most important part Rinse in Cold Water very well and then set everything out to Totally dry out and any residual Bleach will evaporate off. No Matter how much you scrub you will not get all the Little Organisms living in the cracks and grooves but the Bleach will do a really good Job a lot better, just make sure you rinse Very Well in Cold water and let Totally dry off before reusing. Just my 2 cents worth and We Love the Clear fountain, Our Boys are drinking a lot more Water (Seeing it in the Litter Box)!

[@MeloCat]

Yeah the only thing I don't trust is rather or not I can fully get the bleach out every time, the thought of remanent bleach is a bit off putting for me....

[@RyanGentCountryBoyRy]

@@MeloCat if there was any that You did not.get out rinsing g the drying of everything would and if You are using g Activated Carbon filter that would remo e as well. I know it sounds harsh but it is very effective at sterilizingthe surfaces.....

[@Sophie-fu3lh]

I just cleaned it but the pump no longer works , did I do somthing wrong? I was very gentle with it

[@MeloCat]

The magnet fan blade, and the cover- did you put them back the right way?

[@Sophie-fu3lh]

@@MeloCat yeah..I think so , it made a sound when I turned it on but it didn’t pump any water it was almost too weak to pump any water, I have no idea why

[@MeloCat]

Did you bring it back to the store and ask?

[@lyvsix]

My instructions say to do that a couple of times a week so it is aaalways clean... the only downside is these filters get very dirty very fast and tjeres nothing u can do....

[@MeloCat]

Really?!?! I wish we had that here coz the ones I got don't come w such instructions, omg .....

[@gailterry3134]

I only have one kitty, so I use the smaller Drinkwell fountain. It's plastic and the water runs down a 'ramp' into a bowl. Same type of pump, but with replaceable filters. Fortunately, it came with instructions for cleaning the pump! And, yes, it does get really gross!!! I love that I can buy the filters at my favorite pet supply store. I think the fountain was around $45.

[@HGZie]

Do you use any cleaning products to clean the fountain or just scrubbing?

[@MeloCat]

Just scrubbing ~

[@softbeans]

@@MeloCat Thats not enough especially with a plastic fountain like this one, bacteria builds up like crazy

[@biankapaloma]

The first time I washed the pump....I almost threw up...My poor furry babies drinking water with mildew....Yikes. No more.

[@MooPup09]

If I had known how much work they are I would not have bought it .. mind is stainless steel and I use distilled water .. it's new so having only had it a week or so I will check it now .. what a bad decision .. pays to research first

[@BrittanyVonderhaar]

Are you supposed to use soap or not? I've seen other videos where they use soap but I'm not sure.

[@MeloCat]

No need~

[@domenicv7962]

they are unsanitary

[@PRAISEYESHUA1111]

That's funny how you havnt used any soap Fail on your part That's the secret

[@palestinianluck2874]

this is just too much work i rather put him a clean bowl which only cost me 1 good scrub a day instead of this 30 min work you present us here

[@TheLwaller09]

A lot of cats don't drink enough with a stagnat bowl on the floor, and they get UTI's, kidney issues etc. You'll change your tune pretty quickly that first vet bill for kidney crystals 🤷‍♂️