Cleaning mineral/calcium (?) deposits suggestions? I have a white deposit/film on the edge of mine that doesn't look good & I don't like for my cat to continue drinking from it in this state. Has anyone else had/have this issue. Any cleaning suggestions--products, methods, etc? Thanks! Cleaning mineral/calcium (?) deposits suggestions? I have a white deposit/film on the edge of mine that doesn't look good & I don't like for my cat to continue drinking from... » Read More Cleaning mineral/calcium (?) deposits suggestions? I have a white deposit/film on the edge of mine that doesn't look good & I don't like for my cat to continue drinking from it in this state. Has anyone else had/have this issue. Any cleaning suggestions--products, methods, etc? Thanks! « Show Less
1306796
I use vinegar. You can mix it 50/50 with water and just let it sit. The longer the better. I have done it a few times. It may take a couple soakings to get it off.
1306797
I agree with other responses that this sounds like hard water from your tap, and it's not harmful, just ugly. In addition to the vinegar and water responses, I suggest a few drops of lemon juice in the water bowl when it's filled, and clean it with lemon juice as well. If the film is really stubborn you might add baking soda.
424873
A safe way to get rid of it is to use baking soda moistened with water and a nonscratch sponge to clean it off. The mineral deposits are not harmful, just ugly and annoying.
1306798
yes I also have this problem and nothing i do helps. So if anyone has a solution it would be greatly appreciated.
1306799
I purchase distilled water from the store. The white residue is mineral deposits from your water source. Distilled water has no hard water mineral deposits.
1306800
A little vinegar works well. Just wash/rinse well afterwards before refilling.
1306801
Vinegar and water soak/wash or paper towel soaked in straight vinegar (I use white vinegar) and leave on the rim for a while. If need be, use baking soda to scrub. If you can't scour it off, it's not likely the cats can get it off to ingest either. I also take the entire unit apart and clean weekly which has kept that problem at bay. Another tip could be its location. I noticed that white deposit hardened more after the heat went on for the colder weather. I moved the water unit far away from the heat source (radiator) and found it doesn't get "baked" on anymore.
1306802
I have the same issue with the one I have and would like to know the answer to this question also.
1306803
I have the same problem. Partly solved by using filtered water for you pet. I use a zero pitcher to remove any minerals. As for cleaning, I didn't want to use something toxic like CLR, so I did the old lemon juice and baking soda trick, soaking it overnight, and used a magic eraser to keep from scratching the finish.
1920568
No, I just checked my bottle and have had it in the bathroom for months now and no white flakes. I would get it exchanged if I were you, it sounds like you got a bad bottle. Contact the company and demand they change it out. It is good stuff and lasts a very long time.
316862
My cats will lick their plates clean. At first, I thought they were just trying to get the last bits of gravy but, they are making sure they get the last bits of the vitamin powder. I would check with another vet to get a recommendation for a food that doesn't make your cat sick. A food that helps one problem and causes another problem can't be healthy for that particular cat.
946807
It is best to just replace it. You can try and soak it in vinegar if there is calcium build up on it. For more info you can contact tech support at 1-800-519-8794
574885
You can put it in their water dish - some say their cats enjoyed the taste. Mine did not. We had some transferred aggression issues and I wanted to know if the cat was getting any. I gave it in a small syringe like you would medicine. Be aware, it does contain alcohol and some have concerned about that. My vet ok'd it's use and I did see a calming effect. Good luck!!
1113450
It may be that your cat has urinary tract problems. Its all about crystals, rather like human gall stones. You need to check this with a vet as this causes a blockage which can be fatal for male cats. It can be treated with a special diet and lots of water.
770341
It's a calcium build up. It'll disable your humidifier altogether if not it's not regularly cleaned. When I first bought the humidifier, I also bought a solution that was supposed to help keep calcium buildup at bay. It didn't. So now I clean the humidifier once a month by letting the heating mechanism soak overnight (or while I'm at work) in vinegar. It works like a dream. This was my boyfriend's suggestion, so I can't take credit for it. But I'll swear on a stack of humidifiers that it works each and every time.
1207884
Are you sure what you have is white algae, and do you have your fountain where sunlight can reach it? Usually you would find green algae. I'm going to venture a guess as to what you may be seeing is a calcium (hard water) deposit which a vinegar and water solution will remove if used correctly and if you rinse all parts of the fountain really well, neither you or cats or dogs would detect any residual odor on ceramic or stainless steel. If it were plastic then yes; plastic is porous and can be noticeable.
1128681
My cat loved it immediately. That is, until a few months went by and he refused to drink out of it and even got sick. Despite always having regularly cleaned it and having fresh filters in it constantly, I was not advised anywhere in the instructions, nor had I even thought of cleaning out the water pump. That was, until when I had dismantled it to clean one day, I just so happen to notice that there was a thick, coats of grime and what appeared to be acid buildup from the battery that supplied energy to the pump apparatus. I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it. But then when I took it apart with a screwdriver just so that I could clean it out and take a better look at it, I nearly threw up. The pump which is about 2" x 2", had about 3 in. of God knows what growing inside of it. It resembled a brownish petroleum jelly, and I had to scrub it out with a toxic degreaser, which I did for about 25 minutes before just throwing it away. A few weeks later I bought a brand-new machine altogether, and he drink out of it for about three days and then gave it up. So to answer your question, no I don't. As I said, mine loved it. But if you do get one, just please take into account what I said and even though the pump may not look dirty, regularly clean it out and look inside of the vents of the pump to see is anything has "grown" within it. I felt so horrible for making him drink out of what probably tasted like used toilet water, that I babied him for weeks; that is, after paying $300 to the vet to get him healthy again. Be careful.
1580505
If you want your filters to last, you should be using distilled water or RO water. I have had mine running for 5 months now, filling it only from my water cooler and haven't had any problems with lime or calcium. It does get stinky after a week or 2 but that is because my cats are getting food pellets into the bowl. Regular cleaning is required.
655565
I know you have answers already, but I couldn't help but wonder if maybe your were asking about it to avoid "cat acne" caused by plastic dishes. If not maybe others would look to this question for an answer.One of our three cats has this problem with plastic dishes. Despite having some plastic parts in the pump and filter, he does not have a reaction from using this fountain (tested for almost a year now)
677614
I'm not sure, do you have more than one cat if so do you have more than one box? How often are you cleaning the box? Some cats don't/won't use a litter box that has anything in it which means cleaning it after every visit.Did you bring in another cat and she is acting out? It could also be a health issue, bladder infection maybe? Have you tried moving the box to a different location?
697364
Sorry not cats but I ordered it for one of my dogs who has a special diet for gets calcium oxalate stones and has a homemade diet, I only add it every other day to his food but haven't had any problems with it and it lasts a long time. It smells fishy when you first add it but the smell goes away shortly after. I don't know why your cat may need it but i have to check my dogs ph level everyday and it seems to help a bit
1592738
hmmm. i'm no professional, but since it's hardwood, you might have to sand it out. I'm thinking it's pretty soaked in there. and to "unsoak' it with more liquid will probably trash it. Is the pee in a super visible place? I was thinking maybe you could spray some Fizzion on, then sprinkle it with baking soda or borax, maybe, to suck up the Fizzion and with luck, the cat pee also. But, I have NO IDEA if this will do something crazy to the floor. I'm curious now, I think I'll have to go online and see if someone has come up with a solution! Good luck!
196304
You need yo run white vinager through it ang wipe it Dow 1-2 times a week. I've gone though about 15 cat fountins and this by far is the best including cleaning. Make sure you add or exchange water every day. Ty
47085
To clean it I did the same, soaking in vinegar but I took a toothbrush and scrubbed the inside because it had developed calcium really bad. Now it's as good as new. I will probably have to do that again shortly but it wasn't too hard to do
2242199
Use vinegar to get the calcium buildup off! Don't use toothpaste, it's abrasive.