Walter Shillington writes about products he knows firsthand. His articles
focus on healthcare, electronics, watches, and household items.
The Cat Care Pet Water Fountain
Walter Shillington
I used to refill my cat’s water bowl twice a day. While Velvet sometimes used
it, she preferred to perch on the toilet bowl’s edge, crouching down to drink
what she considered fresher water.
Okay, I get it. Fresh water is key. But I don’t want to sit on a toilet seat
covered in paw prints.
I eventually picked up a pet-type water fountain. The cat liked it, and, aside
from the drudgery of its monthly cleaning, the fountain proved to be a
success.
Nothing, however, lasts forever, and recently I replaced the fountain with a
new unit that promised to provide even tastier water while demanding
significantly less maintenance.
Walter Shillington
Description
- The Cat Care Pet Water fountain weighs 18.8 ounces. This device is 7 inches high, 8 inches deep, and 7.5 inches wide.
- Its water tank is transparent, hexagonal in shape, and holds 84 ounces of water. A white plastic lid covers the tank.
- Water is constantly pumped through a filter. It exits at the top of the fountain and flows over a plastic spoon-like device before dropping onto the fountain’s lid. This fresh water can be lapped by a thirsty cat or a small dog.
- The unused water flows through a metal prefilter and drops into the tank below.
- This device’s pump receives power via a cable that extends about five feet and is terminated by a standard USB-A connector.
Walter Shillington
Walter Shillington
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Cat Care (Cat Care is trademarked by Shenzhen Dogcare Innovation and Technology Co.)
- Name: Pet water fountain
- Model: DF02
- Power source: USB-A compatible
- Dimensions: 180 x 190 x 200 millimeters (7 x 7.5 x 8 inches)
- Capacity: 2.5 liters (84 ounces)
- Filters: Metal prefilter, foam, and ultrafiltration filter
- Pump noise: ˂35db
- Pet recommendation: Cats and small dogs
Walter Shillington
Setup
Press the pump’s suction cups against the bottom of the water tank and insert
its flexible gray tube into the connector at the rear of the tank. Then feed
the USB cable through its opening and outside of the tank.
The cylindrical ultrafiltration filter, which processes the water exiting the
pump, must then be twisted into position at the rear of the tank. The next
step is to install the tank cover and the plastic spoon-like device that
distributes water exiting the filter.
Once the water fountain is assembled, water must be added and power provided.
In my case, I pulled a USB wall charger from my junk drawer, connected it to
the device’s USB cable, and plugged it into an AC outlet.
Scroll to Continue
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Pump assembly
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Visual Appeal
The Cat Care fountain was designed to blend unobtrusively into the background.
It is small, quiet, and composed chiefly of clear and white plastic.
Power Source
This fountain receives power through a USB cable. While it worked fine when
connected to a power bank, the most practical method of powering this device
is to plug it into an AC outlet using a USB wall charger.
The Pump
The pump is ultra-quiet (measured below 35dB) and is fitted with a foam
filter. If properly maintained, it should serve between two and four years.
Pump assembly with power cable
Walter Shillington
Suction cups on bottom of pump
Walter Shillington
Maintenance
My last cat fountain utilized fabric-covered carbon-filled filters that
required replacement on a monthly basis. Because this device’s pump was not
equipped with a filter, it was recommended that it be partially disassembled
and cleaned once a month. I also thoroughly scrubbed the interior of the tank
at the same time, removing traces of mold and the odd dead fly that had
somehow slipped in around the pancake-shaped carbon filter. The fountain
cover, filter holder, and two plastic tubular pieces required a good wipe
down.
The new Cat Care fountain demands far less maintenance. The primary filter’s
lifespan is a full three months. Every thirty days, I recommend that the
pump’s foam filter, fountain tank, and fountain cover be washed. This routine
maintenance can be completed in less than five minutes.
Filtration
The metal prefilter removes hair, dirt, food particles, and the odd bug. Tiny
particles that manage to enter the water tank are generally suppressed by the
foam filter protecting the pump.
Water is then pumped through the ultrafiltration filter, which removes any
remaining particles and 99.99% of other harmful pollutants.
My old cat fountain filtered the water as it re-entered the tank. I prefer the
approach of the Cat Care system, which concentrates on filtering the water as
it exits the tank.
Metal prefilter can be cleaned under running water
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Overall Assessment
This well-designed fountain provides high-quality water while reducing monthly
maintenance to a minimum. The Cat Care Pet Water Fountain is recommended.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and
is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a
qualified professional.
© 2022 Walter Shillington