Mag de drinkfontein in de vaatwasser?

De RVS-bak en de meeste onderdelen wel, maar de pomp en het filter niet. Maak die altijd met de hand schoon.

Wat is die glibberige laag in mijn fontein?

Dat is biofilm, een dun laagje van bacterien en speeksel- en voerresten. Wekelijks schoonmaken houdt het weg.

Waarom maakt mijn pomp opeens lawaai?

Meestal door kalk of vuil in de rotor, of te weinig water. Maak de pomp schoon, ontkalk en vul bij tot het aangegeven niveau.

Kan ik gewoon leidingwater gebruiken?

Ja, leidingwater is prima. Bij hard water moet je alleen wat vaker ontkalken.

Topgezondheidstips voor honden en katten – Hydratatie, dieet en meer

How do you clean your cat's drinking fountain?

11 juli 2026SmartPaw3 min lezen

Drinkfontein Kat Productgids

Tabby kat kijkt in de camera naast haar schoongemaakte drinkfontein

A drinking fountain encourages your cat to drink more – but only if the water is truly fresh. Without maintenance, lime and a slippery biofilm layer will form, and the pump will work less effectively. Good news: with a regular cleaning routine, it's a breeze. The SmartPaw editorial team outlines it step by step.

By the SmartPaw editorial team · Published July 11, 2026 · Last updated July 11, 2026 · Facts checked by veterinarian and official sources.

📌 In brief

Daily: change water and rinse the bowl.
Weekly: disassemble the fountain and clean the pump.
Every 2–4 weeks: replace the filter.
Monthly: descale with diluted cleaning vinegar to combat limescale.
Do not use aggressive cleaning agents; always rinse thoroughly.

How often should you clean a drinking fountain?

Change the water every day and thoroughly clean the fountain at least once a week. The pump needs weekly attention, you replace the filter every 2 to 4 weeks, and you descale the entire unit once a month. The harder the tap water in your region, the more often descaling is necessary.

Frequency	What do you do?
Daily	Change water, rinse bowl and rim
Weekly	Disassemble fountain, clean pump and parts
Every 2–4 weeks	Replace filter
Monthly	Descale with diluted vinegar, then rinse thoroughly

Step by step: how to clean the fountain weekly

First, unplug it (or remove the battery pump if it's a wireless model). Pour away the old water and disassemble the fountain. Rinse all parts with warm water, scrub the bowl clean with a soft brush, and remove biofilm – that smooth, slimy layer. Pay extra attention to the pump: open the cover and gently clean the rotor with a small brush or cotton swab. Let everything dry, put a clean filter back in, and fill with fresh water.

💡 Tip: A small pump brush or an old, soft toothbrush is perfect for reaching the rotor and the narrow channels where biofilm hides. This is often where the cause of a humming or sputtering pump lies.

How to remove limescale?

Soak the parts (except the filter) for half an hour in a mixture of water and cleaning vinegar, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Vinegar naturally dissolves limescale without aggressive chemicals. Do this monthly, or more often with hard water. This keeps the pump running quietly and the water fresh.

⚠️ No soap or bleach in the pump

Do not use dish soap or bleach residues in the water reservoir: residues can deter your cat or make them sick. Always rinse very thoroughly with clean water after cleaning.

Why is a filter important?

The filter traps hair, food debris, and lime particles, keeping the water clear. A dirty or saturated filter works counterproductively. Therefore, replace it on time – you can read exactly how often in how often you should replace your drinking fountain's filter.