5 clear signs that your home needs a pet fountain

Standing water loses oxygen after just 2-3 hours and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. The result: odor, hair in the bowl, and animals that prefer to drink from the tap. Here are the signs that your bowl is not working.

Photo: A dog with its water bowl. Source: freepik.com

 

1. Odor and taste of water after just a few hours

What's happening: Stagnant water without circulation allows bacteria to multiply and form biofilm - a sticky layer that settles on the walls of the bowl.

Saliva, food particles and hair accelerate this process. After just 4-6 hours, the water begins to lose its freshness, and after 12 hours it is visibly contaminated.

Quick fix: Change the water every 3-4 hours. Keep in mind, however, that this approach only works when you are at home and does not take into account nighttime hours.

How does the Smart Fountain solve this? 2-stage filtration actively reduces chlorine, captures impurities and neutralizes odors before they reach the water.

Continuous circulation prevents bacteria from settling.

The filter replacement reminder function (via the ANTIK SmartHome app ) ensures that water quality remains stable.

Practical note: you need 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to connect the fountain - the app allows remote scheduling, level monitoring and flow adjustment.

2. Hair and small debris in the bowl

What's happening: Cats and dogs clean themselves with their tongues - hair, dust and dead skin cells then get into the water with each drink. A classic bowl works as a catch basin - anything that falls out stays in it until the next change. In long-haired animals, the level of contamination can be significantly higher.

Quick solution: Change the water twice a day and wash the bowl with soap every day.

Problem: the water remains dirty between changes.

How the Smart Fountain solves this : Two-stage filtration captures most hair and mechanical impurities before they reach the flow.

Moving water gives animals a better signal to drink, which reduces contact with water while cleaning.

A practical detail: when you lift the bowl, the pump automatically switches off, making maintenance easier. You can remove and wash the entire container without having to touch the electronics.

3. The animal drinks little or "bypasses" water

What's happening: Cats need 40-60 ml of water per kg of body weight per day. For a 4 kg cat, this means 160-240 ml.

Problem: Cats instinctively seek out running water (safer in nature than stagnant puddles) and often ignore standing water.

The result: chronic dehydration, which leads to problems with the urinary system and kidneys. 60% of cats over 10 years old have chronic kidney disease - often caused by insufficient water intake.

Quick fix: Let the tap water drip for 10 minutes 3 times a day.

Problem: waste (up to 5 liters per day) and dependence on your presence.

How does the Smart Fountain solve this? Continuous circulation simulates running water, which attracts animals to drink.

Studies show that cats with access to fountains drink 30-50% more than with a classic bowl.

In the ANTIK SmartHome application, you can set an on/off schedule - quieter mode at night, full flow during the day.

The 7° inclination of the bowl allows drinking in a natural position without straining the neck, which is critical for older animals with arthritis.

4. Frequent refilling and topping up

What's happening: A standard cat bowl has a volume of approximately 250-500 ml. With a daily consumption of 50-80 ml of water per kg of body weight, this means 1-2 refills.

If you have multiple animals or are away from home during the day, the animals have to wait or they don't drink enough.

In summer or when feeding dry food, consumption increases.

Quick solution: A larger bowl.

Problem: standing water in larger volumes spoils faster.

How does the Smart Fountain solve this? The 1.9 liter capacity covers the needs of a cat or small dog for 2-4 days, depending on size and outdoor conditions.

The LED level indication has three states:

·      green (enough water),

·      orange (to be added),

·      red (critically low level).

You will also receive a notification in the app - you do not need to check the bowl several times a day. Practical impact: you are leaving for the weekend, the animal has enough clean water without the risk of drying out. For a household with multiple animals, this means less stress and a more stable regime. One check look at the LED instead of a physical inspection.

5. Hard water deposits and stains

What's happening: Minerals in hard water (calcium, magnesium) evaporate and form a white film on the sides and surface of the bowl. The longer the water remains in the bowl, the more pronounced the deposits become. Biofilm sticks to these minerals even better, creating a tough coating that cannot be removed by rinsing alone.

Quick solution: Cleaning with vinegar or lemon every 2-3 days.

Problem: laborious, frequent, and there is always a period between cleanings.

How does the Smart Fountain solve this? Circulation prevents minerals from settling in one place. When the water is constantly flowing, the minerals don't have time to form a hard coating.

The modular design allows for easy disassembly - the bowl, filter and tank can be removed and washed without tools.

Anti-slip pads keep the fountain in place even with a low weight of 750 g.

A quick plan to transition from a bowl to a fountain

1. Location (Day 1)
Place the fountain next to the original bowl. Leave it on at a minimum flow rate. The animal will get used to the sound and movement of the water without pressure.

2. Motivation (Day 2-3)
Remove the original bowl for a few hours during the day. If the animal uses the fountain, reward. If not, return the classic bowl and repeat in a day.

3. Flow optimization (day 4-5)
Test different flow levels in the app. Shy cats prefer a quieter setting, active cats a stronger flow. See which option attracts your cat the most.

4. Night mode (from day 6)
Set the schedule in the ANTIK SmartHome app: lower flow at night (less noise), normal during the day.

The auto-off function saves energy when the pet is sleeping, which is suitable for pets with a fixed nocturnal rhythm.

Does it make sense to provide a fountain for animals?

A fountain makes sense if:

• You refill your water twice a day or more.
• The bowl stinks already in the afternoon
• The animal drinks from the tap or refuses the bowl
• Do you have trouble keeping water clean when working outside the home?

A fountain is pointless if:

• Your animal drinks exclusively from the garden pond or rainwater
• You have a budget under €70 and cannot invest long-term
• You don't have access to Wi-Fi to set up a schedule.
• You are at home all day and changing the water does not take more than 2 minutes

Photo: Dog drinking from a garden pond. Source: freepik.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does it cost to operate a smart fountain for a year?
Filters: €54 (replacement every 2 months for €9).

Electricity: approximately €11 (5W pump × 24/7 operation).

Total €65/year.

For comparison: a classic bowl costs €0 to operate, but requires 30+ hours of your time per year to replace and clean.

If your time is worth more than €2/hour, the fountain is economically worthwhile.

Can a smart fountain reduce water odor?
Yes. 2-stage filtration captures food particles, hair and reduces chlorine. Circulation prevents the build-up of bacteria, which is the main cause of odor in stagnant water.

What is the real difference between a 1.9l and a 0.5l bowl?
At a consumption rate of 60 ml/kg/day, 1.9 l is enough for a cat (4 kg) for 8 days or a small dog (7 kg) for 4 days. With a classic 0.5 l bowl, you need to refill every day.

What if my cat only drinks from the tap?
A fountain is the most effective solution for these animals. Running water is their natural signal of "freshness" - our smart fountain simulates it 24/7 without wasting tap water.

Is the smart fountain too noisy for night use?
No, if you use the scheduling in the app. You set a lower flow rate or turn it off at night (10:00 PM - 6:00 AM) and the animal still has access to the water that was circulated during the day.

Is filtering worth it when I use good quality tap water?
Slovak tap water also contains chlorine and minerals. The filter reduces them and at the same time captures secondary impurities (hair, dust, food particles) that arise during the day. Without the filter, these impurities would return to the flow.