How to Prevent Slime in Your Pet’s Water Fountain[Prevention Techniques]

It is unexpected if you notice slime showing in your pet fountain water. These slimes can create several diseases for your favorite pet. So, you must remove them from the water as soon as possible.

This article will show how to prevent slime in the pet water fountain. Want to know more? Read on!

To help prevent slime build-up in your pet’s water fountain, clean it regularly and replace the water. Additionally, add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice to the water to help inhibit bacterial growth.

What is Pet Fountain Slime?

Do you notice a slime or slippery film in your pet’s water bowl or fountain? Do not worry. It is perfectly normal! This slime is called bacterial biofilm, and it forms when certain microorganisms attach themselves to the surface and release a glue-like substance.

This biofilm can be unsightly, but it is nothing to worry about. You should clean it regularly for your pet to help keep their water clean and free from bacteria and other contaminants.

Dangers of Slime in Pet Water Fountain

There are several reasons you should keep your fountain water free from slimes. In a general sense, no one likes to let their pet drink contaminated water.

Below are some reasons to prevent slime from your pet fountain.

• Pet Water Fountains May Contain Deadly Bacteria: Pet fountain slime is usually made up of “bacterial biofilm,” which can contain deadly bacteria such as staph, E. coli, listeria, candida, salmonella, H. pylori, and more.
• Weak and Sick Pets Can Be at Risk: Pets and humans alike – especially children and older adults can become ill if they touch the slime in the water fountains.
• Toxic Minerals Can Leak Into Water: If pet fountain slime is not prevented, it can corrode the fountain and leak toxic minerals into your pet’s water.
• Contaminated Water Could Make Your Pet Sick: If the water becomes contaminated by pet fountain slime, your pet could become very ill.
• Prevention is Key: To prevent your pet from becoming sick from pet fountain slime, keep the fountain clean and regularly change out the water and filter.

6 Ways to Prevent Slime in Pet Water Fountains

There are several preventive measures you can consider. The most effective measures are discussed below so you can understand the instructions properly.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Regularly

The first preventive task you should do is clean the water fountain properly. It will reduce slime production. If the fountain is dirty, bacteria will breed quickly, which is one of the major reasons for slime formation.

You need to take the fountain from its base to get the job done. Then rinse the entire fountain using warm water.

Before doing that, take an old toothbrush to scrub it properly so that any dirt or debris will be removed completely.

Using Distilled Water

Another effective way to stop slime production in your pet fountain is using distilled water. Distilled water is exceptionally pure and free from minerals and other impurities. As a result, bacteria cannot grow quickly.

Although it is possible that bacteria can still grow in distilled water, but its ratio will be much lower compared to regular tap water, according to a sequel comparative study on bacterial activity in different water sources.

Change the Water Regularly

Another best way to prevent slime, you should replace used the water regularly. As a result, bacteria will not grow in enough time to form slimes.

You can check how often your pet drinks the water from the fountain. And based on that, you should change it. One key point to remember here is if you notice any slime formation, you must replace the water immediately.

Using Filters and Carbon Cartridges

To ensure the maximum level of purity in the fountain water, most pet fountains are associated with a water filter these days. No doubt, this filter plays a very significant role in making your pet fountain pure.

But the bad news is the filter can be contaminated with dirt, debris, and dust particles. In that case, it might also become an adequate breeding ground for the bacteria. So, make sure to replace the filter every 3-4 weeks.

I have another guide about whether you have a filter in your water fountain if you don’t know what it is.

Use a Water Treatment

You can also use water treatment to make the pet fountain water clean. Some water treatments are specifically designed for the pet fountain.

In most cases, you will get the water treatment in liquid form. All you have to do is add it to the fountain water, and the rest will be assured.

Instead of water treatment in liquid form, you can use Bleach which is more cost-effective.

Keep the Fountain Away from the Sunlight

One of the key factors in bacterial growth or slime formation is sunlight. So, you must ensure that the water fountain is not in a place where it may get direct sunlight.

It may seem tricky for you to get the perfect spot. Still, you should try to set your pet fountain under shade to prevent slime production.

Final Words

The bacterial slime in the fountain is disappointing. Not only it contaminates the water, but it can also affect the health of your pet. So, you should take proper steps to prevent slime production in the fountain water.

In this article, I showed you several ways to prevent slime in the pet water fountain. I hope it was helpful and that you can apply those techniques in the future.

Read: How To Keep Water Fountain From Turning Green?

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