https://miaoutable.com/blogs/infos/why-does-my-cat-dip-their-paw-in-water-before-drinking

Why Cleaning Your Cat Water Fountain is Essential?

A clean water fountain ensures your cat's health and prevents urinary problems. Regular maintenance eliminates bacteria, limescale, and food residues that can accumulate.

Step 1: Unplug and Disassemble the Fountain

Before any handling, always unplug the electric pump for your safety. Then disassemble all removable parts:

Before disassembling, discover our MiaouFlow™™ easy to disassemble

• The water reservoir
• The pump and its filter
• Nozzles and accessories
• The lid and trays

Tip: Take a photo before disassembling to make reassembly easier!

Step 2: Clean Each Component

Use lukewarm soapy water (mild dish soap) and a non-abrasive sponge to clean each part:

• Reservoir: Scrub the walls to remove biofilm
• Nozzles: Use a toothpick to unclog the openings

🔧 Thorough Pump Cleaning

The pump is the most important element of the fountain. If it fails, the entire fountain is unusable.

🧹 Cleaning every 2 weeks:

1. Unplug the fountain
2. Remove the pump from the bowl
3. Disassemble the pump (depending on the model):
   • Remove the protective grille
   • Take out the impeller/magnetic rotor
   • Access the stator (fixed part with magnets)
4. Clean each element:
   • Soft brush for the impeller and stator
   • Lukewarm water + mild soap (dish soap)
   • Pass a toothpick through the small holes
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
6. Reassemble and test before putting back in place

⚠️ Mistakes to avoid:

• ❌ Never run the pump dry (it would burn out)
• ❌ Never clean in the dishwasher (destroys magnets)
• ❌ Never use abrasive or chemical products
• ❌ Never force during disassembly

Step 3: Change the Filter Regularly

The activated carbon filter should be replaced every 2 to 4 weeks depending on use. A clogged filter reduces filtration efficiency and can alter the taste of the water.

🔄 When to Change the Filter?

Frequency depending on your water type:

• 💧 Soft water (low limescale): 30-40 days
• 💧 Moderately hard water: 25-30 days
• 💧 Very hard water: 15-25 days
• 💧 Filtered/bottled water: 40-60 days

✅ Signs that the filter is saturated:

• Weakening flow
• Water becoming cloudy
• Odor appearing
• Filter visibly dirty/brown

🔧 How to change the filter:

1. Turn off and unplug the fountain
2. Remove the old filter
3. Rinse the new filter under cold water for 1 min
4. Soak it in water for 10 minutes before installation (eliminates air bubbles)
5. Insert the new filter into its slot
6. Refill with fresh water and restart

💡 Tip: Write down the change date on a sticky note attached to the fountain!

📦 Filter stock: Always have spare filters on hand:

• Pack of 8 MiaouFlow™™ Filters (compatible with MiaouFlow™™)
• Pack of 6 SilentFlow Filters

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse each part with clean water to remove any soap residue. Cats are sensitive to odors and might avoid a poorly rinsed fountain.

Check: Smell each part - no product odor should linger.

🧴 Descaling with White Vinegar

If you have very hard water, white deposits will accumulate on the fountain walls and in the pump.

Effective descaling method:

Required materials:

• White vinegar (500 ml)
• Lukewarm water
• Soft brush
• Microfiber cloth

Steps:

1. Empty the fountain completely
2. Mix 50% white vinegar + 50% lukewarm water
3. Pour the mixture into the fountain
4. Let soak for 30 minutes (or 1 hour if heavily scaled)
5. Scrub scaled areas with a soft brush
6. Rinse thoroughly with clean water (at least 3 times)
7. Wash with mild soap to remove any vinegar odor
8. Rinse again

💡 Prevention tip: Use filtered water (Brita pitcher) or bottled water to drastically reduce limescale buildup. It also extends the life of the filters!

Step 5: Reassemble and Refill

Reassemble all parts in reverse order of disassembly. Refill with fresh filtered water or tap water that has sat out (to eliminate chlorine).

Plug in the pump and check that the water circulates correctly without any abnormal noise.

Recommended Cleaning Frequency

Now that you know the cleaning steps, here's an optimal maintenance schedule to keep your fountain in perfect condition:

Task	Frequency
Quick rinse	Every 2-3 days
Full cleaning	Once a week
Pump cleaning	Every 2 weeks
Filter change	Every 2-4 weeks
Deep descaling	Once a month

Our Fountains Designed for Easy Maintenance

Not all our fountains are equal in terms of ease of maintenance. Here are our most practical models:

🏆 Top 3 - Minimal Maintenance

1. MiaouFlow™™ - Stainless Steel Fountain 3.2L
✓ Antibacterial stainless steel
✓ Smooth surface with no crevices
✓ Full disassembly in 30 seconds
✓ Dishwasher safe

2. Ultra-Quiet Stainless Steel Fountain 2.5L
✓ Minimalist design
✓ Fewer parts = quick cleaning
✓ Durable premium materials

3. Aqua Silence Fountain with LED
✓ Transparent reservoir (visual check)
✓ Easy-access quiet pump
✓ Large capacity = fewer refills

View all our fountains →

Frequently Asked Questions

My cat refuses to drink after cleaning, why?
Probably a residual product odor. Rinse more thoroughly and let air dry before refilling.

What kind of water should I use?
Tap water is fine, but let it sit for 30 minutes to eliminate chlorine. Filtered water reduces limescale.

Can I wash my fountain in the dishwasher?
It depends on the model. Our stainless steel fountains like the MiaouFlow™™ are dishwasher safe, but always remove the pump first (it should never go in the dishwasher).

💡 Also read: Why does my cat put its paw in the water before drinking?