Pet water fountain

[SpeedyPony]

So the cat has had a water fountain for about a year now- he much prefers to drink running water (and is spoiled, in case that wasn't obvious! ) but the last week or so he has taken to pulling the top off it- it has a reservoir in the bottom with a pump that pumps water up through a filter and into a fountain head? Sprinkler? Not sure of the right term. He can't have it without the top long term as it won't have the filter and will therefore get dirty- he's also already drowned one of his toys in there after dismantling it.
I've tried putting elastic bands around it to keep the top on, but he's strong enough to tip the whole thing over when he's trying to get the top off.
Fountain is regularly cleaned/filters replaced.
I did try replacing it with a bowl, but he yelled at me until I reinstated the fountain.
Any ideas why he's doing this (other than just cat contrariness )/recommendations for thug proof fountains?

 

[FinnishLapphund]

This is exactly why I'm never getting a water fountain for my cats to drink out of. I don't need them to get more spoiled than they already are, and start refusing to drink out of a normal water bowl.

That said, in your shoes I would get 2 Large stones or Kettlebells, and place them around the fountain to prevent future tipping over attempts.

 

[SpeedyPony]

You are very wise- having just had to get up after going to bed and hearing him tip it over again I'm starting to regret buying it!
Good idea about the stones, I will have to try that tomorrow, for now I have switched it off and left him a bowl instead- he can yell if he wants, it's not getting him anywhere tonight

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Hope you get some sleep. Forgot to say why I think he plays with the water fountain. I think the answer is simple, there's plenty of cats, even some who don't like getting wet, which are fascinated by water. Add to that, cats usually loves to play, and investigate things using their paws. If something, be it a mouse, a foot under a duvet, or water in a water fountain, then also moves, it only becomes even more tempting to play with it.

 

[SpeedyPony]

I will report back on my attempts to stop him tipping it over!
I'm used to him playing with the water, but the destruction is new- so hopefully I can stop him before he floods the house
I think you might be right, he's found a 'new thing' he can do beyond just batting at the water, but I'm not prepared to spend weeks with a sopping wet carpet waiting for him to get bored of that little trick.

 

[Ratface]

I bought the late lamented King Kevin Kat a water fountain. He indicated his displeasure by knocking it over multiple times. Fortunately, I had kept the box and the receipt so took it back to the place that I had bought it from and got my money back.

 

[Tracking_up]

My 2 completely ignore the water fountain I've carefully provided. To the extent that I see one go out the cat flap a couple of metres from the fountain, to drink out of a washing up bowl sat on the patio, full of brown rain water only a metre away from the cat flap.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I bought a water fountain for Sebastian so he could hear where his water was. The noise drove me mad though

 

[Cloball]

My 2 completely ignore the water fountain I've carefully provided. To the extent that I see one go out the cat flap a couple of metres from the fountain, to drink out of a washing up bowl sat on the patio, full of brown rain water only a metre away from the cat flap.

Mine too, he chose to not drink at all until he had a UTI

 

[SpeedyPony]

Update- I took the fountain away around Xmas time, as I didn't have the time to be cleaning it up all the time. Was going to get a tray to slot it into to keep it steady when I had time. Replaced with a water dish temporarily, forgot all about it, then last month, took it out of storage and decided I'd pop it back down- he took the top off a few times, but didn't tip it over again and seems to have got bored with taking the lid off now as well.
Bit of a boring update, no Heath Robinson cat-proofing contraptions have been made yet

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Thanks for the update. I still view water fountains for pets as an unnecessary luxury, but since you've bought one, I'm glad to hear that you've been able to start using it again, and even better, that he can now use it without that you've had to create some big "cat-proofing contraption".

 

[Dasher66]

I’ve just bought a large tub to use as a water feature. Going to put cobbles in it and a small pump to get a bit of movement. Will see if the cats like it.

 

[Ratface]

Thanks for the update. I still view water fountains for pets as an unnecessary luxury, but since you've bought one, I'm glad to hear that you've been able to start using it again, and even better, that he can now use it without that you've had to create some big "cat-proofing contraption".

I bought Madam Carrie Cat a water fountain. She ignored it.
It was returned.
She prefers a big Mason's Ironstone pie dish.