How to Clean a Pet Water Fountain (Catit and PETLIBRO)
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A pet water fountain keeps water moving, but moving water is not the same as clean water. The same water runs through the pump and filter again and again, so hair, saliva, food bits and slime collect in the reservoir, the tubes and the pump. If you do not clean it, a fountain can end up dirtier than a plain bowl. This page shows how to take a fountain apart, clean each part, when to change the filter, and how often to do it all, using the makers’ own care instructions for the two fountains in our catalog.
The short answer: top up the water daily and wipe out any slime you see. Every one to two weeks, unplug the fountain, empty it, take out the filter and the pump, wash the bowl and top parts in warm soapy water with a soft sponge, take the pump apart and rinse each piece, then reassemble with fresh water. Replace the filter on the maker’s schedule: every 30 days for the Catit Flower Fountain, every 2 weeks for the PETLIBRO stainless steel fountain.
How we wrote this: the steps and schedules come from the makers’ own cleaning guides and product pages (Catit and PETLIBRO), and the advice on slime in water bowls comes from a veterinarian’s column, all linked where they are used. We have not tested these fountains ourselves. Your fountain’s own manual comes first, because pumps and filters differ between models. If your pet is drinking much more or much less than usual, see a vet.
Why a fountain needs regular cleaning
That slippery film on the inside of a water bowl is called biofilm. Veterinarian Lee Pickett, VMD, explains in her Ask the Vet column that biofilm is made of bacteria embedded in a slime that the microbes produce themselves. Because you cannot know which bacteria are in it, her advice for water bowls is to scrub them with hot, soapy water daily.
A fountain is harder to keep clean than a bowl because it has more parts: a reservoir, a top or spout, a filter, often a foam pre-filter, a pump with a small impeller, and sometimes a tube. Slime and hair can build up in every one of them. The filter helps: PETLIBRO says in its fountain FAQ that the filter is there to keep recycled water clear of debris such as pet fur and saliva. But a filter does not clean the bowl or the pump for you.
Our view, not a quote from the sources: a daily top up plus a quick look and wipe, and a full clean every one to two weeks, is a routine most people can keep. A fountain that gets cleaned rarely is worse than a bowl that gets washed every day.
What you need
- Warm water and a mild dish soap.
- A soft sponge or cloth. Catit says never to use aggressive detergents or an abrasive sponge on its Flower Fountain (Catit cleaning guide).
- A small brush for the pump and narrow parts. The PETLIBRO stainless steel fountain comes with a cleaning brush in the box (PETLIBRO product page), and Catit sells a fountain cleaning set of three tools that it says fits every Catit fountain and pump.
- A fresh filter if one is due.
- A towel to put the parts on.
How to clean a pet water fountain, step by step
- Unplug the fountain before you touch the water or the pump.
- Empty it. Pour out the old water. Do not refill it with fresh water on top of a dirty reservoir.
- Take it apart. Lift off the top or cover, take out the filter and any foam pre-filter, and remove the pump. PETLIBRO’s steps for its stainless steel fountain are to open the filter cartridge, take out the filter, then take out the water pump and pump holder.
- Wash the bowl and top parts. Catit says all components of the Flower Fountain can be washed with warm water, a soft sponge and dishwashing soap. Pay attention to corners, the spout and the underside of the top, where slime tends to collect.
- Clean the pump. Both makers say to clean the pump every two weeks. Catit says the pump should be removed and disassembled for cleaning on a biweekly basis, and that each part should be rinsed separately with water before you reassemble it. Use a small brush to get hair and slime off the impeller and out of the pump housing. See your manual for how your pump comes apart.
- Rinse everything well so no soap is left behind.
- Replace or prepare the filter. If the filter is due, use a new one. PETLIBRO says to soak a new filter in a clean bowl for 5 minutes and rinse it for 30 seconds before use.
- Reassemble and refill with fresh water, up to but not past the maximum line.
- Plug it in and check the flow. PETLIBRO says that to extend the life of the pump, you should add water before starting the machine. Our view: never let the pump run dry.
Cleaning the Catit Flower Fountain
The Catit Flower Fountain is a 3 L plastic fountain with a flower-shaped top. Catit’s cleaning guide says:
- All components can be washed with warm water, a soft sponge and dishwashing soap.
- Never use aggressive detergents or an abrasive sponge.
- Clean the top parts regularly to prevent scale from settling on the fountain.
- Remove and take apart the pump for cleaning every two weeks, and rinse each part separately with water.
For the filter, Catit recommends replacing its Triple Action filter every 30 days, or sooner when it is visibly saturated, and says its Flower Fountains are only for use with certified Catit filters. The guide also links to the instruction manual for each model (original, LED and stainless steel Flower Fountain), so check which one you have.
If you have the stainless steel version, Catit’s stainless steel fountain cleaning guide says to clean it at least once a week to prevent chalk stains and corrosion. Its metal top part is dishwasher safe, and the rest should be cleaned with a soft sponge and a non-abrasive cleaning agent that is safe for your cat.
Cleaning the PETLIBRO stainless steel fountain
The PETLIBRO Stainless Steel Fountain has a 3 L stainless steel tank. PETLIBRO’s how it works page for its stainless steel fountains gives three tips:
- Replace the filter and foam every 2 weeks.
- Clean the pump and the fountain every 2 weeks.
- Add water before starting the machine, to extend the life of the pump.
The product page lists a dishwasher-safe stainless steel tank and recommends replacing the filter every 2 weeks. Do not assume every part is dishwasher safe: the pump, the cord and the plastic parts are not the tank. Check the manual before you put anything else in the dishwasher.
How often to clean a pet fountain
| Task | How often | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Top up with fresh water | Daily, before it runs low | Our view; PETLIBRO says to keep an eye on the water level |
| Wash the bowl and top parts | Every 2 weeks (PETLIBRO); at least weekly for the Catit stainless steel fountain | Maker pages |
| Take apart and clean the pump | Every 2 weeks | Catit and PETLIBRO |
| Replace the filter | Every 30 days or when visibly saturated (Catit Flower); every 2 weeks (PETLIBRO) | Maker pages |
Our view, not a quote from the sources: clean more often than the schedule if you see slime, the water looks cloudy, the flow drops, or your pet stops drinking from it. Homes with several pets, a dog that drops food in the water, or a lot of shedding fill the filter faster.
Signs your fountain needs cleaning now
- A slippery film on the bowl, the spout or the underside of the top.
- Cloudy water, or hair and food floating in it.
- White or chalky scale on the top parts, which Catit says regular cleaning helps prevent.
- The water flow is weaker or the pump is louder than usual. Hair wrapped around the impeller is a common cause; take the pump apart and clean it.
- A filter that looks visibly saturated.
- Your pet sniffs the fountain and walks away.
Pets are often fussy about water. If your cat or dog stops using the fountain after a clean, rinse it again to make sure no soap is left, and keep a clean bowl of fresh water out as well while they get used to it.
When drinking habits mean a vet visit
A fountain is not a treatment for anything. If your pet starts drinking much more or much less water than usual, or you see changes in urination, call your vet. A change in thirst can be a sign of illness. Our page on whether cats need a water fountain covers what the research says about fountains and when a change in drinking means a vet visit.
Comparing bowls, fountains and feeders? See our dog and cat bowls and feeders buying guide. Cleaning toys too? See how to clean dog and cat toys.
FAQ
How often should you clean a pet water fountain?
Both Catit and PETLIBRO say to clean the pump every two weeks, and PETLIBRO says to clean the whole fountain every two weeks. Catit says its stainless steel fountain should be cleaned at least once a week. Top up the water daily and clean sooner if you see slime.
How often should you change a cat fountain filter?
Follow your model. Catit recommends replacing the Flower Fountain filter every 30 days, or when it is visibly saturated. PETLIBRO recommends replacing the filter and foam of its stainless steel fountain every 2 weeks.
Can you put a pet water fountain in the dishwasher?
Only the parts the maker says are dishwasher safe. Catit says the metal top of its stainless steel fountain is dishwasher safe, and PETLIBRO lists a dishwasher-safe stainless steel tank. Our view: keep the pump, cord and adapter out of the dishwasher and out of water unless your manual says otherwise. Check your manual.
What is the slime in my pet’s water fountain?
Usually biofilm: bacteria living in a slime they make themselves. Veterinarian Lee Pickett advises scrubbing water bowls with hot, soapy water daily, because you cannot know which bacteria are in it. In a fountain, scrub the bowl, the top and the pump.
Why is my pet fountain pump noisy or slow?
Often hair or slime is caught in the pump, or the water level is too low. Unplug it, take the pump apart, clean it with a small brush, and refill with water before you plug it back in. If it is still noisy, contact the maker.
Is a water fountain better than a bowl?
Some pets drink more from one, but a fountain only helps if you keep it clean. See do cats need a water fountain for the research.