It is not clear to me from reading responses. Do you or do you not clean the motor. I have a drinkwell that I must do this with and it is a pain. I have now purchased the Peoneer Pet raindrop ceramic fountain and waiting for delivery. It is not clear to me from reading responses. Do you or do you not clean the motor. I have a drinkwell that I must do this with and it is a pain. I have now purchased the Peoneer Pet raindrop... » Read More It is not clear to me from reading responses. Do you or do you not clean the motor. I have a drinkwell that I must do this with and it is a pain. I have now purchased the Peoneer Pet raindrop ceramic fountain and waiting for delivery. « Show Less
2078449
When I take it apart for cleaning I give the motor a good rinse with hot water and either tap it or scrub the intake part of it a bit in case there's any gunk in it. It can get a bit slimy but the hit water rinse and drying off with a paper towel prior to putting it back together takes care of that. I haven't felt the need to use dish soap on it. Hope that helps.
2078450
I usually just rinse the motor and filter with warm water, every other piece can go right into the dishwasher!
379233
I returned mine because unfortunately, the kitty I bought it for passed away. But I did have it assembled and running. I DO remember in the directions that it said you should take the pump apart to clean it periodically so the unit will last longer. There isn't much to the pump though, it's probably only about 2" square, so shouldn't be a big deal. It shows you how to do it in the flyer I think.
2078451
There's a video on YouTube from Pioneer showing you how to take apart the pump to clean it. I haven't tried this yet but it looks pretty do-able. Before finding this video today, I've always just rinsed the pump and cleaned the exterior with a brush every time I changed the filter (once a month). Here's a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYyTFv_u3Sw
2078452
I am sorry that I have not responded sooner; but I have not cleaned my ceramic pioneer pet raindrop motor since I purchased it. However, I do clean the bowl ever week with warm water with just a mild soap. As for the motor I put warm water in the bathroom sink, no soap, and I place the motor inside the water and plug it in and let it run for about 3 to 5 min. Please make sure you put enough water in the sink basin. I hope this helps you. This is a better way to clean it in my opinion at least it has worked for me. I think that taking the motor apart gives it a shorter shelf life and like you said it is a pain. I am sorry that I have not responded sooner; but I have not cleaned my ceramic pioneer pet raindrop motor since I purchased it. However, I do clean the bowl ever week with warm water with just a mild soap. As for the motor I put warm water in the bathroom sink, no soap, and I place the motor inside the water and plug it in and let it run for about 3 to 5 min. Please make sure you put enough water in the sink basin. I hope this helps you. This is a better way to clean it in my opinion at least it has worked for me. I think that taking the motor apart gives it a shorter shelf life and like... » Read More I am sorry that I have not responded sooner; but I have not cleaned my ceramic pioneer pet raindrop motor since I purchased it. However, I do clean the bowl ever week with warm water with just a mild soap. As for the motor I put warm water in the bathroom sink, no soap, and I place the motor inside the water and plug it in and let it run for about 3 to 5 min. Please make sure you put enough water in the sink basin. I hope this helps you. This is a better way to clean it in my opinion at least it has worked for me. I think that taking the motor apart gives it a shorter shelf life and like you said it is a pain. « Show Less
2205529
I have had this fountain for over a year and the pump has never worn out. I have two cats and clean it every two weeks. Sometimes I have to clean hair off the intake pump and I never let it run dry. If yours is burning out you may want to reach out to the manufacturer.
670445
Have had this fountain for over a year. Works well. No need to take apart to fill, I have a large plastic cup I keep on my counter and just add water as needed ~ typically at least once/twice a day but I have 3 dogs and 4 cats drinking out of it. I do take it apart and clean it once a week or else fur and stuff gets caught in the filter. I also run it in the sink with bleach/water on occasion as the filter housing can get really gunked up and I don't want bacteria growing in there. Also use an old toothbrush to clean the gunk out. I long ago threw away the carbon filter...just don't see the point. Point ~ keep it clean and it runs great, neglect it and it runs poorly. Have had this fountain for over a year. Works well. No need to take apart to fill, I have a large plastic cup I keep on my counter and just add water as needed ~ typically at least once/twice a day but I have 3 dogs and 4 cats drinking out of it. I do take it apart and clean it once a week or else fur and stuff gets caught in the filter. I also run it in the sink with bleach/water on occasion as the filter housing can get really gunked up and I don't want bacteria growing in there. Also use an old toothbrush to clean the gunk out. I long ago threw away the carbon filter...just don't see the... » Read More Have had this fountain for over a year. Works well. No need to take apart to fill, I have a large plastic cup I keep on my counter and just add water as needed ~ typically at least once/twice a day but I have 3 dogs and 4 cats drinking out of it. I do take it apart and clean it once a week or else fur and stuff gets caught in the filter. I also run it in the sink with bleach/water on occasion as the filter housing can get really gunked up and I don't want bacteria growing in there. Also use an old toothbrush to clean the gunk out. I long ago threw away the carbon filter...just don't see the point. Point ~ keep it clean and it runs great, neglect it and it runs poorly. « Show Less
631261
Yes, I definitely will. The most important aspect has been, my cats like it and it didn't take them long to get used to it. My cats seem to prefer the running water streams coming out of the top, maybe because it is more like drinking from a faucet with running water, which they enjoy. I have hade many other fountains and many of them the cats wouldn't drink from. The ceramic is easy to clean and the filter system seems to work well. I'm impressed with the quality and design so far.
2088539
I did a lot of research trying to find pumps for both Catit and Drinkwell Platinum, both of which I have, so I can say that the Catit and Drinkwell pumps are not the same. I ended up buying from here for the Drinkwell Platinum: http://store.petsafe.net/accessories/pet-care/fountains. One note: If the pump is not working and the adapter part is ok, trying running a strong vinegar solution through the fountain for several hours first. Often all that is wrong is mineral build up.
1117419
I was in a similar situation - I had two previous fountains (a plastic one first, then a ceramic one). Both were very difficult to clean. The NatureSPA is easy to clean - disassembles quickly and easily. I have hard water so the basin/bowl area can get a little scaly with hard water deposits - I clean with Heinz White Vinegar, wash and rinse very throughly. It cleans up beautifully and back to new. The filters are easy to replace too. I would highly recommend the add-on larger water reservoir.
801254
Everything you need except the water is included with this pet fountain including the cleaning brushes. When I received the item I added water and plugged it in. The only problem is I have another kind of fountain that has a waterfall flow upstairs for my dogs and cats to use and the new one was going to be used upstairs and I was going to put the older waterfall one downstairs for my cats to use when downstairs. But, my dogs were a little afraid of the swirling water and I had to switch them around. I think if I had had this one first my dogs would not have been leery of the way the water swirled around. It is great to keep my cats drinking and flushing their systems so they don't develop stones. Everything you need except the water is included with this pet fountain including the cleaning brushes. When I received the item I added water and plugged it in. The only problem is I have another kind of fountain that has a waterfall flow upstairs for my dogs and cats to use and the new one was going to be used upstairs and I was going to put the older waterfall one downstairs for my cats to use when downstairs. But, my dogs were a little afraid of the swirling water and I had to switch them around. I think if I had had this one first my dogs would not have been leery of the way the water... » Read More Everything you need except the water is included with this pet fountain including the cleaning brushes. When I received the item I added water and plugged it in. The only problem is I have another kind of fountain that has a waterfall flow upstairs for my dogs and cats to use and the new one was going to be used upstairs and I was going to put the older waterfall one downstairs for my cats to use when downstairs. But, my dogs were a little afraid of the swirling water and I had to switch them around. I think if I had had this one first my dogs would not have been leery of the way the water swirled around. It is great to keep my cats drinking and flushing their systems so they don't develop stones. « Show Less
833326
I haven't had mine that long, but I find that if the motor starts getting louder it's past the cleaning time. I follow the directions and pull everything apart to clean then replace the filter. It gets pretty slimy. It also has a 1 yr warranty on motor assembly and fountain parts. Call Veterinary Ventures as directed in the instruction book.
1802333
First of all, the pedal that lifts the table was missing in our shipment. We found a piece of pipe that works in it's place.As far as the smoothness of the lifting motion, it goes up incrementally, with each pump of the "pedal" (pipe). In other words, it's not a one pump lift, its more like a car lift. If you pump it up very slowly, your liquid may not spill but, I would recommend a lid for your liquids or a table with a motorized lift.
807955
The Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel is actually a lot easier to clean than the other fountains we have had. The only thing you really have to be careful of is cleaning the motor once in a while since cat hair does seem to clog it after a while.
2056247
My four cats LOVE this fountain. It is important to change out the charcoal filters regularly, and if your fountain is making noises (it is not supposed to) then there is probably cat hair that is partially clogging the pump. Easy to fix. Just take the fountain apart, and clean the pump out, and then refill. I hope that your kitty warms up to the pump because moving water is much fresher than water that sits around. Good Luck!
114466
if you mean the written instructions to how you clean your fountain ,i would find the model / type & or serial #'s if any and contact the manufacturer the may have a hard copy of a manual / instruction sheet or one you can download it ,,secondly to clean any thing w/ ceramic ,i try w/white vineger,water solution,,if that dont work a mild soap solution ,,good luck p.s heres a thouhgt !!!! for example i have a water room humidifier that has a water container capacity good for one night that has ceramic in where the mist is produced and cant reach into to clean it ,,so i used my morning 10-cup used coffee grounds fill them into container w/water sealed it and shake the container and it came out sparkling :)
584080
When I set my dish up the pump started working immediately. I would guess that you have a faulty pump and let Amazon or the company you ordered from to see about how to return. They would not accept my return because everything worked but my cat just refused to drink from it as the noise spooked her. As yours is faulty equipment I can only hope that an exchange will not be a problem for you.
1996070
I had mine for over 2 yrs now and started to have issues with the motor. So I need to send it again and they will fix it and send it back. All I can say is that, the product works and its the best thing out there. Second, I love the customer service. They are super helpful and actually care for their customers instead of just making money. So I def recommend to get it and try it out. Your cats will love you! I am going to send mine in this weekend to get it fix and once I get it back, I will update you! Best of luck!
2237943
I would say first to shut off the fountain part, just let them get used to the bowl. After they've gotten use to that and use it regularly and are comfortable with it turn the fountain back on but keep it at the lowest flow setting. Again let them get very comfortable then if you want turn up the flow little by little let them get comfortable with each step. Hope this helps! Mine love the fountain and now don't want to drink out of just a bowl.
2056249
I'm sorry you're having trouble. The first fountaini bought recommended you leave it unplugged for a few days when introducing it into your cat's environment so they can get used to it. Maybe that would help. If it's used it could be that the pump is a bit noisy but the sound has never bothered my cats. I hope it works out.
799906
I found the best explanation on the Pioneer Pet website. Learned the way to take the pump apart and clean the inside workings, that were not obvious to me. Try this link: http://www.pioneerpet.com/video-instructions/ . Great video of step by step cleaning instructions.