I got this originally for an older cat and a younger one who was fascinated with running water. It became a hit for the both of them, although neither drank from the stream itself. There's no appreciable noise from the fountain as long as the water levels aren't getting low, especially at 5m+. Given the ambiance of my living space, it's absolutely silent.
Weekly cleaning is a must, with recommendations being every 4-ish days. The water reservoir can keep everything topped up for about that long. While running water doesn't collect slime as fast as standing water, even 5-7 days will see a film forming. Cleaning is fairly straight forward. The unit itself (unlaiden with water) is rather light. There's no good ways to pick up the unit though without risking it falling unless you lift it slightly and put your fingers under the base. Not the most comfortable option as weighed down by water it can put enough pressure on your fingers to dig in a bit with the sharp edges.
Filters do last 2-4 weeks, so changing monthly is ideal. The pack listed as a common buy along with the fountain will last you quite a long time.
Refilling and placing out on the floor is best done on site rather than at the tap, with a couple of trips necessary to fill it enough. The alternative of carrying a fully filled fountain could result in it slipping out of your fingers or just spilling as the water line for "full enough" is pretty close to the top edge. Filling the water reservoir and putting it into its place on the back of the fountain will yield enough water to mostly fill it in one go. A second trip will finish it off and leave you with enough water to last the 4-5 days to the next clean out and refill.
My remaining cat is a medium hair domestic with moderate shedding and the pre-filter gate/screen will sometimes clog slightly. Another reason to get to the clean/refill more often. If it was left longer, or left uncleaned, I could see the issues others have noted about the fountain overflowing.
All in all, it's a good product if your cats prefer running water and don't like drinking from a standard bowl. Cats do prefer running water anyway. But on top of that, it's great if you're a pet owner who doesn't want to refill water bowls daily to keep them fresh. You don't need this, which is why I rate this a 4 for value for money (on top of the harsh plastic edges), but it's definitely nice to have.
| Manufacturer | Radio Systems Corporation |
|---|---|
| Place of Business | KNOXVILLE, TN, 37832 US |
| Item model number | PWW00-16777 |
| Product Dimensions | 32 x 28.6 x 13.34 cm; 1.51 kg |
| ASIN | B07Q2H7XK6 |
