When pet owners are about to invest in a new cat water fountain, relentless choices swarm to them. The material must be one of the important considerations. Stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic are major types of materials in the market. Among them, the stainless steel cat water fountain is a very popular choice in pet families. So why do pet owners choose the stainless steel cat water feeder for their furry kids? In this article, we will probe into the benefits of stainless steel cat water fountains and have a brief contrast with plastic and ceramic cat water fountains.
1. Benefits of Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
Choosing a good stainless steel cat water fountain for your cats can offer both you and your cats great benefits.
Safer
The same as our tableware, most stainless steel cat water fountains are made of food-level metal——304 stainless steel which has a steady and safe performance. Stainless steel material without toxicity and smell, never affecting water smell and ensuring water quality and safety.
Hygiene and cleanness
Stainless steel is a non-porous material with high density, which makes bacteria hard to survive on its surface and biofilms hard to hide on the corner. Besides, stainless steel cat water fountains with a sleek and smooth surface are easier to clean up. So, pet owners with a stainless steel cat fountain don’t need complex and frequent cleaning.
Bacteria and biofilm resistance reduce water-changing times and cleaning arduousness. More importantly, it benefits the cat’s health. Bacteria in the water will enter the cat’s body or get on their skin which may cause bacterial infection and other illnesses. However, stainless steel eschews such a possibility.
Durability and longevity
Cat water fountains made of stainless steel are robust and sturdy. Withstanding wear and tear, stainless steel isn’t affected by accidental flops, knocks, and bumps. So well-cared stainless steel water fountains can generally last for many years.
Stainless steel is a highly durable material that is immune to scratches and cracks that are great greenhouse for bacteria. It is also resistant to corrosion, rust, and stain, so it is feasible to put it outside such as the balcony or garden.
Cooler water
Stainless steel cat water fountains are superior in keeping water cool at high temperatures. Such exceptional performance in high-temperature resistance profits from its low thermal conductivity of around 15 watts per kelvin per meter (W/(mK)) which is among the lowest of all metals. This allows it to retain more energy to stabilize the surrounding temperature, so it doesn’t easily transfer heat to water in high temperatures.
Eco-friendly
Stainless steel is an important recyclable metal widely used in various fields. Statistics say that over 70% of new stainless steel comes from recycling. As a crucial target of the pet market, sustainability has imprinted in more enterprises, and products made with recyclable materials also become more popular among buyers.
Five inherent benefits shown here denote the excellent performance and functionality of stainless steel cat water fountains.
2. Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain vs Plastic and Ceramic Cat Water Fountain
Let’s make a comprehensive comparison between stainless steel cat water fountains and plastic and ceramic cat water fountains to justify why we had better choose a stainless steel cat water fountain than others.
Bacteria resistance
The capability of plastic cat fountains in bacteria resistance is definitely worse than that of stainless steel cat water fountains because of their irregular surfaces and probable scratches. Feline acne is generally related to plastic water fountains that contaminate water and then get on the cat’s skin.
The ceramic cat fountain with good quality has a sleek surface that is not susceptible to bacteria. But it is still probable to appear cracks spawned by falling or dumping. Those cracks are possible places of bacteria multiplication.
Unlike plastic and ceramic, stainless steel fountains are sleek and durable. Their sturdy and non-porous surface prevents scratches and resists bacteria.
Durability
The durability of plastic is inferior to stainless steel. Particularly, plastic cat fountains can’t be exposed to the sun for a long time, or they will be aging and fragile. That’s why plastic ones generally need to be replaced in a short cycle.
The durability of ceramic is a little complex due to its dual character. Ceramic cat fountains are tough and resistant to scratches. However, it is easy to break when falls down and may produce cracks caused by bumps. Those cracks then become the best place for bacteria multiplication.
Without a doubt, the sturdiness of stainless steel cat water fountains is leading.
Safety and health
Plastic and ceramic water fountains may have concerns about their safety and health. Plastic fountains may contain BPA, phthalates, and other chemicals that may leach into the water over time, causing allergic and other health issues.
Some ceramic cat fountains with inferior quality may contain lead glaze which may engender a variety of acute and chronic signs. The possibility of lead glaze may cause fountains to craze and shatter.
While stainless steel fountains don’t have such a concern. So we had better make sure the ceramic fountain we chose comes from a reputable source.
Temperature regulation
Plastic fountains are susceptive to temperature and moisture fluctuations. Plastic has good insulation but a lower heat capacity. Ceramic cat water fountains also have a good capability in temperature regulation. ceramic material has a higher heat capacity and a low thermal conductivity of 1.5 to 3 W/m·K. Good insulating capacity can maintain temperature for longer periods.
Price and weight
The price of plastic cat water ranges from $20 to $80 based on the brand, size, function, and design. The stainless steel cat fountains are always valued at $30 to $100, and you can also find cheaper ones priced at about $30 or high-end ones priced at about $150. As for weight, plastic is generally lighter than stainless steel in that the latter is denser than the former.
With the same capacity, ceramic fountains are generally heavier than stainless steel cat fountains. A 2L stainless steel fountain weighs about 0.7kg while a similar ceramic cat fountain weighs about 2.5kg. Higher weight can effectively prevent cats from tripping them over or dragging them away. Besides, the price of ceramic cat fountains ranges from about $40 to $150 while stainless steel ones are priced at about $30 to $100. Ceramic fountains tend to be slightly more expensive than stainless steel fountains, especially for hand-made high-end ceramic cat fountains with more intricate designs and technicals which may be worth over $200.
Noise
The quieter, the better. Fountain quality is an important influencing factor for all material cat fountains. Water flow and motor strength primarily affect the fountain’s noise level.
Especially, stainless steel water fountains are prone to generate noise in that water hits the water fountain may startle your cats.
Designs
Plastic cat water fountains come in a wide range of options from vibrant to modern designs. Ceramic cat water fountains boast versatile and colorful designs. A range of artistic designs compatible with your home decor.
While stainless steel cat fountains are always designed with modern features and monotonous color. Its single sliver-grey color makes it devoid of fashion and diversification.
| Aspect | Stainless steel cat water fountains | Plastic cat water fountains | Ceramic cat water fountains |
| Bacteria resistance | Good | Inferior | Moderate |
| Durability | Good | Inferior | Moderate |
| Safety and health | Good | Inferior | Moderate |
| Temperature regulation | Good | Inferior | Good |
| Price | Low to high | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Weight | Moderate | Lighter | Heavier |
| Noise level | Moderate | Good | Good |
| Design | Modern and monotonous | Vibrant and modern | Versatile and colorful |
By comparing plastic and ceramic cat water fountains, we get through their respective benefits and defects. From the perspective of their inherent performance: bacteria resistance, durability, safety, and health as well as temperature regulation, there is no doubt that stainless steel cat water fountains triumph over the other two fountains. Other factors like budget and design depend on personal consideration.
3. Best Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain
One of the best examples of the top-rated stainless steel cat water fountain is the 2L stainless steel cat water fountain FT-02 from Beardpet.
The Beardpet 304 stainless steel cat water fountains feature high temperature, corrosion, and oxidation resistance by using food-grade durable 304 stainless steel. With a highly guaranteed quality, the fountain is quiet and energy-saving, providing both pets and pet owners a silent environment.
Notably, 2L water capacity allows 7 days of water needs for a grown cat, and an 8-layer filtration system removes impurities and improves the water quality and taste. Additionally, fountains are powered by the battery or the USB. Once charging supports for about a week operation. Intelligent sensor pets move easily and work at once when they are approaching.
4. Conclusion
After weighing three types of materials, we’ve found that stainless steel cat water fountains run first while they have their benefits. Stand out for its unparalleled performance, stainless steel water fountains boast long-term value and functionality.
Beardpet is here to provide pet owners with premium cat electronics, including high-quality stainless steel fountains like 2L stainless steel cat water fountains FT-02. You can contact us for more information about our stainless steel water fountains to bring your cats a wonderful life experience.
