FAQ

Cats instinctively prefer to drink flowing water - it is in their genes and there are evolutionary biological reasons for this, which we have explained in detail for those interested here. When cats are only offered standing water, they often drink too little - often with serious health consequences. This becomes even more dangerous when the actually unnatural dry food is supplemented, for the digestion of which large amounts of water are needed that are withdrawn from the body. According to a recent medical study, 35% of cats over 8 years old die from urinary tract diseases and kidney ailments. A drinking fountain encourages your cat to drink enough through the flowing water, minerals in the urine have no chance to form crystals, gravel and stones are avoided.

2) Is the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain also suitable for multiple cats?
3) Where is the marking for the maximum fill level?
4) How does the water stay clean without an activated carbon filter?
5) Why is a special cat fountain better than a room fountain?
6) Can't I just leave the tap dripping?
7) How big is the cleaning effort for me?
8) Can the Lucky-Kitty be "dismantled" by cats - like other fountains?
9) How high is the power consumption of the Lucky-Kitty pump?
10) How loud is the Lucky-Kitty?
11) The water jet is suddenly too strong - what is the reason?
12) The pump delivers no or little water - what to do?
13) Since yesterday the cat fountain is buzzing - what could be the reason?
14) Do I also get spare parts from you?
15) Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
16) What happens to the returned drinking fountains?
17) How do I refill water?
18) My cat does not drink from the Lucky-Kitty - what to do?
19) Can my cat also drink from the Lucky-Kitty when the pump is switched off?
20) Where is the optimal position of the pump in the lower bowl?
21) The pump's flow rate cannot be changed very much - what is the reason?
22) The fountain/the pump is "slimy" inside - what is that?
23) What if my cat absolutely does not want to use the Lucky-Kitty?
24) I did not buy my Lucky-Kitty cat fountain directly from Lucky-Kitty - who is my contact person?

Yes, the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain has a water capacity of about 1.5 liters, which is large enough for multiple cats; for example, it is used by many cat shelters and breeders and is often shared by several cats there. Many of our customers have multiple cats (the record we know of is 15!) and are very satisfied with the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain. Up to four cats can comfortably drink water simultaneously from different areas, depending on preference: directly at the water outlet, on the slope where the water flows down, or in the lower basin where a "small lake" forms for drinking. In practice, however, not all cats drink at the same time, so the Lucky-Kitty is suitable for significantly more cats.

You can find the marking in the form of a small, raised line about 2-3 centimeters above the opening in the fountain where the water flows out. Refilling is thus very easy without removing the top part - simply pour water from above during operation until the maximum fill level is reached. Even when the fountain is turned off, there should still be enough water inside so that a visible "small lake" can be seen in the top part. Since the fountains are handmade, this marking is not very clearly visible on many cat fountains - in this case, please fill the lower bowl once so full that nothing overflows, place the upper bowl on top, and "remember" the maximum fill level you now see in the lower area of the upper bowl.

Due to the constant circulation of the water, it is enriched with oxygen - but the most important thing: ceramic has an extremely smooth and dense surface (much denser than, for example, plastic, which under the microscope actually has a very porous structure). Dirt and bacteria that can settle and multiply in the porous surface of plastic have no chance on our smooth ceramic! And we have built the drinking fountain completely "without corners and edges" - therefore it can be cleaned in a few minutes - or you simply put it in the dishwasher.

You will definitely never find activated carbon filters with us! Investigations by the magazine Ökotest of activated carbon filters in commercially available water purifiers have shown that activated carbon filters can tend to strong contamination - therefore, we have decided against the use of these filters. This is more economical and hygienic for you than the expensive replacement filters. An American study* also confirms that cats much prefer unfiltered tap water over treated, filtered water.

(*Drinking water preferences in the cat. Wooding B, Mills DS. 2007)

For owners of long-haired cats, we offer a long-hair permanent filter as an accessory. The permanent filter keeps long hairs as well as cat litter crumbs and food residues away from the pump, thus extending the cleaning intervals. This filter lasts for many months and can and should be regularly rinsed with boiling water to keep it clean and germ-free.

As a wholesaler for ceramic indoor fountains, we have many years of experience with normal ball fountains used as so-called "cat fountains." The experiences we have gathered have led us to develop a cat fountain that meets the very special needs of house cats. Examples of the many disadvantages of ordinary ball fountains include the dangerous cables hanging loosely from the edge of the bowl and frequent flooding, which always occurs when cats knock over the spring ball standing in the bowl and the pump then pumps the water onto the floor, or when cats use the large bowl as a bathtub. Tipping spring balls may also pose an injury risk to the cat, and small kittens can possibly drown in bowls that are too large. Also, the usual bowl fountains are not suitable as drinking fountains for hygienic reasons, as the spring balls inside are very difficult to access and clean, and bacterial slime and algae quickly settle there.

6) Can\"t I just leave the tap dripping?
7) How much cleaning effort is required from me?
8) Can the Lucky-Kitty be "dismantled" by cats - like other fountains?
9) What is the power consumption of the Lucky-Kitty pump?
10) How loud is the Lucky-Kitty?
11) The water jet is suddenly too strong - why is that?
12) The pump delivers no or little water - what to do?
13) Since yesterday the cat fountain has been humming - what could be the reason?
14) Can I also get spare parts from you?
15) Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
16) What happens to the returned drinking fountains?
17) How do I refill water?
18) My cat doesn\"t drink from the Lucky-Kitty - what should I do?
19) Can my cat also drink from the Lucky-Kitty when the pump is turned off?
20) Where is the optimal position of the pump in the base tray?
21) The pump flow rate can\"t be changed very much - why is that?
22) The fountain/the pump is "slimy" inside - what is that?
23) What if my cat absolutely refuses to use the Lucky-Kitty?
24) I didn\"t buy my Lucky-Kitty cat fountain directly from Lucky-Kitty - who is my contact person?

Cats should have flowing water available around the clock, as they like to drink both during the day and at night - of course, you could also leave a tap running day and night - but if you calculate the costs that arise when you just let it drip slightly, you get a surprising number. After 6 minutes of dripping, we already had a 1.5-liter water bottle full - the year has 525,600 minutes, which means you get 131,400 liters of water per year - if 1,000 liters of water cost about 5,- EUR on average (this varies depending on location), then the annual water costs amount to 655,- EUR - for a fraction of that, there is already a Lucky-Kitty cat fountain that lasts indefinitely for many years.

7) How much cleaning effort is required from me?
8) Can the Lucky-Kitty be "dismantled" by cats - like other fountains?
9) What is the power consumption of the Lucky-Kitty pump?
10) How loud is the Lucky-Kitty?
11) The water jet is suddenly too strong - what is the reason?
12) The pump delivers no or little water - what to do?
13) Since yesterday the cat fountain is humming - what could be the reason?
14) Can I also get spare parts from you?
15) Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
16) What happens to the returned drinking fountains?
17) How do I refill water?
18) My cat does not drink from the Lucky-Kitty - what should I do?
19) Can my cat also drink from the Lucky-Kitty when the pump is turned off?
20) Where is the optimal position of the pump in the base tray?
21) The pump's flow rate cannot be changed very much - what is the reason?
22) The fountain/the pump is "slimy" inside - what is that?
23) What if my cat absolutely does not want to use the Lucky-Kitty?
24) I did not buy my Lucky-Kitty cat fountain directly from Lucky-Kitty - who is my contact person?

In developing a "real" cat fountain, hygiene and thus quick and easy cleaning were our top priorities. The Lucky-Kitty can be cleaned in just a few minutes under running water, as it basically consists of only two ceramic bowls and these have no corners or edges - if you do this about every third to fifth day depending on the number of cats in the household, that is usually sufficient. In addition, the Lucky-Kitty is made entirely of dishwasher-safe ceramic! If you take your time, a complete cleaning including pump cleaning takes about five minutes - with some routine, it can also be done in three minutes. A comprehensive cleaning guide with tips & tricks can be found here

The Lucky-Kitty cat fountain is 100% "vandal-proof" :-) - because it was designed as a special drinking fountain for cats. The entire top has no "flaps", no wobbly large ball, and no loose cable hanging out of a bowl like normal indoor fountains; it has no "attack points" and extends down to the base. In addition, the solidly made fountain including water filling weighs 5 kg. You can safely leave the fountain running unattended - even the biggest "little vandals" have no chance to open, tip over, move, or do other "nonsense" with the fountain. (Even ferret owners like to use the Lucky-Kitty because even relatively destructive ferrets cannot dismantle the fountain.)

9) What is the power consumption of the Lucky-Kitty pump?
10) How loud is the Lucky-Kitty?
11) The water jet is suddenly too strong - why is that?
12) The pump delivers no or little water - what to do?
13) Since yesterday the cat fountain is humming - what could be the reason?
14) Can I also get spare parts from you?
15) Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
16) What happens to the returned drinking fountains?
17) How do I refill water?
18) My cat doesn't drink from the Lucky-Kitty - what should I do?
19) Can my cat also drink from the Lucky-Kitty when the pump is turned off?
20) Where is the optimal position of the pump in the base tray?
21) The pump's flow rate can't be changed very much - why is that?
22) The fountain/the pump is "slimy" inside - what is that?
23) What if my cat absolutely refuses to use the Lucky-Kitty?
24) I didn't buy my Lucky-Kitty cat fountain directly from Lucky-Kitty - who is my contact person?

In the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain, a pump with only 2 watts power operates, the power supply has only about 3 watts, totaling about 5 watts. According to the formula 5W * 24 hours, this is an electricity consumption of 0.12 kWh per day.


For the pump, this means the following electricity costs at 24 hours continuous operation 7 days a week (i.e., if it runs without any interruption day & night) at a kWh electricity price of €0.25:


per day: €0.03

in the week: €0.21

in 4 weeks: €0.84


(This calculation applies to the pump introduced in May 2014 with power supply)

From the very beginning of the Lucky-Kitty's design, we aimed for a very quiet operation. The pump used is somewhat more expensive than the cheap pumps used in plastic import fountains, but it is very quiet in operation. Through a computer-designed wave surface over which the water flows, we also prevent disturbing water splashes and flow noises, and the ceramic material can no longer transmit "resonance vibrations" of the pump mechanics - result: probably the quietest cat fountain.

11) The water jet is suddenly too strong - why is that?
12) The pump delivers no or little water - what to do?
13) Since yesterday the cat fountain is humming - what could be the reason?
14) Can I also get spare parts from you?
15) Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
16) What happens to the returned drinking fountains?
17) How do I refill water?
18) My cat doesn't drink from the Lucky-Kitty - what should I do?
19) Can my cat also drink from the Lucky-Kitty when the pump is turned off?
20) Where is the optimal position of the pump in the base tray?
21) The pump's flow rate can't be changed very much - why is that?
22) The fountain/the pump is "slimy" inside - what is that?
23) What if my cat absolutely refuses to use the Lucky-Kitty?
24) I didn't buy my Lucky-Kitty cat fountain directly from Lucky-Kitty - who is my contact person?

(Only applies to older models up to the year 2012) The flow restrictor built into the pump, which ensures optimal water flow, has been lost during cleaning or is sitting too loosely under the connector and can move. You can find the flow restrictor in older models in the form of a small, perforated disc when you pull out the connector on the pump where the hose is attached.

The "flow restrictors" have been replaced in newer models by a practical "angle connector." You can easily reorder angle connectors directly through the shop in the "spare parts" section.

12) The pump delivers no or little water - what to do?
13) Since yesterday the cat fountain has been humming - what could be the reason?
14) Can I also get spare parts from you?
15) Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
16) What happens to the returned drinking fountains?
17) How do I refill water?
18) My cat doesn\"t drink from the Lucky-Kitty - what should I do?
19) Can my cat also drink from the Lucky-Kitty when the pump is turned off?
20) Where is the optimal position of the pump in the base tray?
21) The pump flow rate can\"t be changed very much - why is that?
22) The fountain/the pump is "slimy" inside - what is that?
23) What if my cat absolutely refuses to use the Lucky-Kitty?
24) I didn\"t buy my Lucky-Kitty cat fountain directly from Lucky-Kitty - who is my contact person?

Please check the following points, then your pump will run at full power again within a few minutes:

  1. Enough water in the lower shell - 1.5 liters? -> Pump must be completely underwater
  2. Pump exactly in the middle of the lower shell? -> if the pump is too far back, the hose kinks
  3. Does the white angled nozzle of the pump point towards the cable? -> if not, the hose can kink
  4. Propeller pulled out and opening cleaned/descaled? -> Pump exactly according to Instructions clean
  5. Important: the main cause of insufficient flow rate: Has the angled nozzle on the pump also been removed and cleaned inside?
  6. Is the water outlet nozzle inside the upper shell cleaned?
  7. Is the control on the front flap of the pump set to "maximum" (+)?

(Regarding 1.) Often this is because the small silicone hose has a kink after assembly - simply reposition the pump (almost the center of the lower shell is optimal) and the water can flow again. If this is not the case, the pump or nozzle is dirty.

(Regarding 3.) Please clean the pump thoroughly once as described in the cleaning instructions and remove the small propeller from the bearing bush. Also clean the opening under the nozzle where the hose is attached to the pump and the angled nozzle itself. In 99.9% of cases where the pump stops, dirt such as lime has accumulated in the bearing bush, causing an "uneven" run of the magnetically mounted rotor or blocking the rotor. If the pump hums even though the propeller bearing has been cleaned as described above, a touch of Vaseline, with which the rotor's magnet should be greased, usually helps. A comprehensive cleaning guide with tips & tricks can be found here


Attention! If the rotor is permanently blocked by lime deposits (lime is only visible when the pump is dry!), the pump and especially the power supply will be damaged due to overload - damages caused by improper cleaning are not covered by the warranty! We strongly recommend cleaning the pump thoroughly once a week as described in the enclosed, illustrated instructions, which also includes pulling out the propeller and cleaning and, if necessary, descaling the opening. This way, you and your cat(s) will enjoy it for a very long time.

The most important thing upfront: the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain is designed so that you can hardly hear it – if it hums noticeably, something is wrong.

When you turn on the pump after cleaning, you will initially hear a noise for a few minutes caused by tiny air bubbles still in the pump – after a few minutes the pump will become very quiet. If not, check the pump by placing it in your sink and running some water – if the pump does not hum, it can only be due to one of the following points: First, check if the pump is still firmly seated – usually it is because the pump feet have come loose from the bottom and the housing is touching the ceramic directly. Simply press the rubber feet of the pump firmly back on – if necessary, wipe the feet and lower bowl with some alcohol for better adhesion, then the fountain will be as quiet as on the first day.

If that is not the cause, either the upper bowl is not properly seated on the lower bowl – just adjust it slightly, then the noises should disappear – if that does not help, it is very likely that the bearing area of the pump rotor is dirty.

Please clean the pump thoroughly once as indicated in the instructions and remove the small propeller from the bearing bushing and clean the opening with a cotton swab and some vinegar from lime scale and dirt. Also clean the opening under the nozzle where the hose is attached to the pump, the angled nozzle, and the nozzle through which the water flows into the upper bowl. In 99% of cases where noises occur, dirt has accumulated in the bearing bushing, causing an "uneven" run of the magnetically mounted rotor.

We recommend thoroughly disassembling and cleaning the pump once a week as described in the enclosed illustrated instructions. The ideal pump position is almost centered in the lower bowl. You can also download a cleaning guide as a PDF here to your computer. A comprehensive written cleaning guide with tips & tricks can be found here

Of course, you can also get spare parts from us in the long term, such as hoses, connectors, or pumps - in case something really wears out or gets lost. A hose set with three spare hoses and a small hose brush can be ordered here in the shop, as well as a replacement pump. If you need a replacement shell (upper or lower shell), which we also supply individually as a spare part, or other spare parts, please simply order directly through the shop in the "Spare Parts" section.

15) Do you also deliver to Switzerland?
16) What happens to the returned drinking fountains?
17) How do I refill water?
18) My cat doesn't drink from the Lucky-Kitty - what should I do?
19) Can my cat also drink from the Lucky-Kitty when the pump is turned off?
20) Where is the optimal position of the pump in the base tray?
21) The pump's flow rate can't be changed very much - why is that?
22) The fountain/the pump is "slimy" inside - what is that?
23) What if my cat absolutely refuses to use the Lucky-Kitty?
24) I didn't buy my Lucky-Kitty cat fountain directly from Lucky-Kitty - who is my contact person?

We also deliver to Switzerland by arrangement. Shipments to Switzerland are sent VAT-free. For the very expensive shipping, we only charge a flat shipping fee of 19.90 EUR - however, additional import duties and fees from DHL for customs clearance may apply - we have no influence on these fees and cannot predict their amount. If you want more information about this, it is best to contact your local customs office. Please note that as the importer, you must comply with the respective national regulations.

We only rarely receive Lucky-Kitty drinking fountains returned that were not accepted by cats. The returned and used cat fountains do not go back on sale for hygienic reasons (therefore, unfortunately, they cannot be resold at a lower price). The safety and health of the furry friends have absolute priority with us.

This is done with the Lucky-Kitty without removing any tanks or plastic containers or even disassembling - water is simply poured into the lower tray, or during operation from above - done - it doesn't get any easier or faster! :-) We generally recommend filling the Lucky-Kitty only at the installation site - carrying the full fountain around without spilling is probably only possible for the most skilled jugglers.

All cats love running water - this is already in their genes - according to experience, most cats start drinking from the Lucky-Kitty within the first few days - and usually significantly more than before. However, since cats are also "neophobic" - meaning they are initially skeptical of anything new - there are some particularly fearful or old cats that need several days to drink from the Lucky-Kitty. Give your cat a little time to get used to it - cats are often very particular about changes in their familiar environment. Some cats go straight to the Lucky-Kitty - most need one to four days; a few, especially shy or old cats, sometimes need a week or longer until they have learned to "trust" the new drinking fountain.

  1. Always place the Lucky-Kitty far away from the feeding area (at least 2 meters), because cats never drink where they eat
  2. ...this of course also applies to the litter box
  3. do not pressure your cat by, for example, repeatedly placing it in front of the fountain
  4. make sure to keep the drinking fountain running even at night, as most cats (as original desert animals) drink especially at night, and check the litter box for increased urine output, because cats often also drink "secretly".
  5. Fill the Lucky-Kitty properly; the water level should be high enough so that there is always a "small puddle" of water visible from the outside in the upper bowl.
  6. Especially at the beginning, it is also important to keep the cat fountain particularly clean and to clean it thoroughly about every three days.
  7. If your tap water contains chlorine (information can be obtained from the utility company), do not give it to your cat - cats can smell chlorine even in low concentrations and then do not drink this water - in this case, give your cat still water from the discount store or boil the water beforehand.
  8. Some customers also report that their cat only started drinking from the Lucky-Kitty when they initially added a small splash of milk, unsalted chicken broth, tuna water, or mineral water to the water - but surely every cat is different.
  9. Previously placed bowls should be (checked and) put away, and if you have turned on the faucet for your cat, please do not do so anymore - you are helping your cat to get used to the new drinking place faster.
  10. Patience, patience, patience. Some cats - especially shy or older cats that have been drinking from a bowl for many years - simply need their time to get used to a new drinking opportunity.

If you follow these tips, your cat will probably not want to give up the Lucky-Kitty after a short time.

Here is the result of a small survey we conducted on Facebook with over 23,000 Lucky-Kitty fans:
"How long did it take until your cat drank from the Lucky-Kitty?"

Yes, even if the pump is not turned on, your cat can easily drink from the lower part of the fountain where the water remains permanently - please check the water level regularly to keep it nice and high. However, we recommend running the fountain at night as well, since cats, as descendants of desert cats, especially like to drink at night.

Please do not position the pump too far back in the lower shell, as the silicone hose can easily kink and obstruct the water flow. Exactly in the center (middle/middle) or even slightly further forward in the lower shell is the optimal position for the pump, otherwise the hose can kink and too little water will flow.

What you have in your drinking fountain is called "biofilm." Biofilms are harmless accumulations of microorganisms. Biofilms are everywhere there is water or moisture - for example, on your cat's tongue and in the water pipes of our houses. When the biofilm gets out of hand, you feel it as a slimy surface. Proper cleaning with common household cleaners followed by rinsing with vinegar water prevents biofilm in the medium term - you can't do anything about the biofilm that repeatedly comes from your water pipes or from the cat's mucous membranes into the water. If you have pipes in your house heavily contaminated with biofilm (often with old pipes or plastic pipes from the company), use still mineral water to operate the Lucky-Kitty. If you are further interested in the topic, google "biofilm."

Cats love running water - it's in their genes - according to experience, many cats already drink from the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain on the first day - and usually significantly more than before. But since cats are also "neophobic" (Google "neophobia" if you are interested in the topic) - meaning they are initially afraid of everything new - there are some particularly fearful or very old cats that need several days or even two/three weeks to drink from the Lucky-Kitty. Once they have gotten used to the new, they usually do not want to give up the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain. Only about one in 1,000 cats still does not approach the cat fountain after 14 days - provided the location and hygiene are correct.

To exclude even this small residual risk for you, we offer an "Acceptance Guarantee"*: we accept every Lucky-Kitty cat fountain purchased through our shop back even used after 14 days - although cat fountains are normally excluded from returns based on the hygiene regulations for pet accessories - and refund you the full cost of the drinking fountain. If you want to return the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain based on the Acceptance Guarantee, please let us know briefly beforehand. We refund immediately after receipt of the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain - but as said, this rarely happens - usually the little furry ones love the Lucky-Kitty cat fountain and never want to give it up!
*The "Acceptance Guarantee" is a manufacturer's warranty that only applies to end consumers from Germany and Austria who have ordered here on our manufacturer site Lucky-Kitty.com. We cover the shipping costs even in case of a return; the customer bears the cost of the return shipment.

The dealer from whom you ordered the product is always responsible for their customers and customer support, as only they have your relevant customer data and know, for example, the warranty periods of your contract. If you need a replacement part during the warranty period, please always contact the dealer from whom you purchased the item. As the manufacturer, we cannot provide warranty services for items not purchased from us, nor do we accept returns or cancellations for these items; however, we are happy to answer your questions about the products, for example, regarding handling or cleaning. If you have problems with your dealer's customer service, please let us know and we will speak with the dealer.