Car drinkers for cats - what you need to know about them

Cats, like other pets, have their own nutritional needs and need a special diet. Failure to comply with the diet poses serious health problems. Drinking water should be constantly available, therefore important requirements are imposed on cat drinkers. What are the drinkers and how to choose the right one, we will tell in this article.

Device Features

There are many types of devices for drinking cats, and far from all of them are universal. This diversity is explained not only by the size of the pets, but also by behavioral characteristics, as well as the way of keeping. All home drinkers can be divided into 3 types:

1. Bowls-drinking bowls. Universal devices used for drinking cats and kittens of any age and size. Water flows down the gutter or wall in a small stream and falls into a bowl. Due to their predominantly lightweight construction, such automatic drinkers are easy to budge or knock over.
2. Drinking fountains for 2 bowls. They are a two-level design, similar to a small fountain. These devices contain a lot of water and are suitable for those who have several cats or small dogs at home. A feature of the device is a low noise level.
3. Dome drinking bowls-fountains. Using a small pump, water is pushed out and flows down the dome into the tank. This provides several points for drinking at once.

Automatic drinkers are much more convenient and practical than usual. Due to the constant circulation, the water does not stagnate and does not deteriorate over time. More expensive models have special cleaning and antibacterial filters that can reduce the risk of poisoning your pet. But it is better to use clean distilled water and change it every day.

Device material

Most often, plastic, light metals, porcelain, glass or ceramics are used in the manufacture of car drinkers. Devices from these materials differ in strength, weight and practicality. And now in more detail:

Plastic car drinkers

Plastic drinkers are much cheaper than metal and ceramic, but inferior in design and practicality. Scratches can form on the surface of the plastic, in which, with insufficient care, pathogenic bacteria and fungi will multiply. It is better to choose large models with rubber feet to avoid tipping over.

Metal drinkers

Thanks to its heavy case, metal drinkers are much more stable and durable than plastic ones. They are less susceptible to microbes and better preserve the freshness of water. However, in the presence of corrosion, metal devices become dangerous for pets. Stainless steel drinkers with an additional antibacterial coating are a good choice.

Porcelain, ceramic and glass devices

These drinkers are resistant to capsizing, have a stylish design and a robust housing. However, due to the rough surface, porcelain and ceramic devices are at risk of mold. Therefore, it is better to opt for a drinker with special enamel. Do not use dishes on which cracks or chips have appeared.
With proper care, any material will last a long time and will not harm your pet. The main rule is not to use raw tap water and change it more often.

Water filtration

Most models of car drinkers for kittens and cats are equipped with special multi-level systems for filtering water. They cleanse the liquid from small pieces of food, dust and harmful bacteria. Filters will have to be replaced sooner or later, so it’s better to choose a drinker with affordable cartridges. They should be sold in your city and have a reasonable price. Also, make sure that you can replace the cartridge without assistance.

Advantages and disadvantages of car drinkers

Automatic drinkers are sold at every pet store. They are easy to use and do not require a constant change of water. However, even such a practical device has its drawbacks.

Benefits:

1. Pets receive round-the-clock access to purified water.
2. If there is no liquid in the tank, the drinkers are automatically turned off.
3. An interesting design attracts cats and stimulates the consumption of the required amount of water.
4. The presence of multi-level filtration systems.
5. In car drinkers, the water does not stagnate and is constantly saturated with oxygen.
6. If the tank is large enough, you do not have to constantly add water.
7. Automatic devices are easy to use and save owner time.
8. Fountains are universal and suitable for pets of any age and size.

Disadvantages:

1. When the power is turned off, the auto-drinker stops its operation, and access to water becomes impossible.
2. Cartridges must be replaced periodically and the tank cleaned.
3. Loud noise from the operation of the device can scare away pets.
4. High price compared to conventional drinkers.

Features of choice

In the modern market of pet products, there are many models of car drinkers. To choose a high-quality and durable device, it is necessary to focus not only on the cost, but also on the dimensions, case materials, the availability of replaceable cartridges, as well as the volume of work. And now in more detail:

1. Dimensions of a car drinker. The larger the volume of the device, the more water will fit into it. For one or two pets, an average tank or bowl will be sufficient. If there are three or four cats in the house, then you should think about purchasing a multi-level system or a fountain.
2. Case materials. It is better to choose stable drinking bowls from heavy materials, such as ceramics, porcelain, metal, etc. They are more difficult to budge or topple. But plastic devices are not so practical and are often scratched.
3. Emitted noise. Too noisy appliances can scare away pets and discourage the desire to approach the drinker. Yes, and the owner may be uncomfortable from extraneous sounds. Therefore, it is better to opt for a device with a working volume of up to 40 dB.
4. The cost of replaceable cartridges. Water filters must be changed 1-2 times a month, so they should be affordable. Buy drinkers from well-known manufacturers so that you do not have to look for cartridges at various pet stores later.

The average cost of popular car drinkers varies from 2 to 6 thousand rubles. A high price does not always mean quality, so it is better to pay attention to the technical characteristics of the device.

Rating of the best car drinkers

Choosing a device yourself can be quite difficult. We have compiled a list of the best car drinkers for cats, based on customer reviews and ratings:

PetSafe Drinkwell Original Pet FCB-REEU / FCB-EU-45

• Drinking bowl shape: fountain;
• System control: water flow control lever;
• Water supply method: without connecting to the water supply;
• Cleaning: carbon filter;
• Available colors: white;
• Case materials: plastic;
• Cable length: 1.8 m;
• Water tank capacity: 1.5 liters.

Ferplast VEGA - fountain for cats and small dogs

• Drinking bowl shape: fountain with a gutter;
• Voltage: 12 W;
• Productivity: 250 l / h;
• Water supply method: without connecting to the water supply;
• Cleaning: Arbon Vega active carbon filter;
• Available colors: white;
• Case materials: plastic;
• Cable length: 1.5m;
• The volume of the tank for water: 2 liters;
• Dimensions: 23x30x16.2 cm.

PetSafe Drinkwell 360 D360-EU-19

• Drinking bowl shape: single-level fountain;
• Voltage: 12 W;
• Power Consumption: 2.5 W;
• Way of food: from a network;
• Water supply method: without connecting to the water supply;
• Cleaning: active carbon filter, foam;
• Available colors: white;
• Case materials: plastic;
• Operating temperature: at least 4 degrees;
• Water tank capacity: 3.8 liters.

Feed-Ex Spring PW-03

• Drinking bowl shape: fountain bowl;
• Power Consumption: 12 W;
• Way of food: from a network;
• Water supply method: without connecting to the water supply;
• Cleaning: replaceable carbon filter;
• Available colors: gray;
• Case materials: plastic;
• Drinking bowl weight: 1 kg;
• Wire Length: 2 meters;
• The volume of the tank for water: 1.8 liters;
• Additionally: 2 nozzles for water supply ("Trickle", "Spring").

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet D2EU-RE-20 / D2EU-45 / D2-RE-45

• Drinking bowl shape: fountain;
• Management: manual adjustment of pressure;
• Voltage: 12 W;
• Way of food: from a network;
• Water supply method: without connecting to the water supply;
• Cleaning: primary filter, active carbon filter;
• Available colors: white;
• Case materials: plastic;
• Cable length: 1.8 meters;
• Water tank capacity: 5 liters.

Output

Automatic drinkers keep water freshness much better, thanks to constant circulation. They are convenient to use and save time. For cats, you need to choose stable models with rubberized legs. Additional filtration will protect the pet from gastrointestinal diseases. Despite the apparent simplicity of the device, it is necessary to follow the operating rules and change the water in the tank in time. So the car drinker will last long and efficiently.