A clean water fountain encourages cats to drink more and keeps the water fresh. The good news: most fountains can be cleaned in 10-15 minutes once a week.
What you’ll need
- Mild dish soap
- A small brush or old toothbrush
- Paper towels or a clean cloth
- (Optional) White vinegar for mineral buildup
- Fresh water + a replacement filter (if it’s time)
Weekly cleaning (10-15 minutes)
- Unplug the fountain and empty the water.
- Take it apart (pump, lid, spout, filter).
- Remove the filter (don’t wash it with soap). Replace if needed.
- Wash all plastic/steel/ceramic parts with warm water and mild soap.
- Clean the pump: open the pump cover and rinse the impeller area.
- Scrub small corners and grooves with a brush.
- Rinse everything thoroughly (no soap residue).
- Dry with a clean towel, reassemble, and refill with fresh water.
- Plug it in and check the water flow.
Deep clean for hard water (every 2-4 weeks)
If you see white crusty buildup, soak the affected parts in a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and warm water for 15–30 minutes, then scrub gently and rinse well.
Quick troubleshooting
- Low flow or no flow: clean the pump and check for hair/debris.
- Fountain is noisy: top up water, remove trapped air, clean the pump.
- Bad smell: clean more often and replace filters on schedule.
Weekly checklist
- Empty and disassemble
- Wash parts with mild soap
- Clean pump and impeller area
- Rinse thoroughly
- Refill with fresh water
- Replace filter if needed
A clean fountain is one of the easiest ways to improve your cat’s daily routine. If you want help choosing a quiet, easy-to-clean model, check our Cat Hydration posts (coming soon).