How to Keep Plastic Water Dispensers Clean for Cats

Keep your cat's water dispenser clean, to keep your cat healthy.

Plastic water dispensers feature a system that automatically pours water into an attached bowl or dish and stops when the dish is full. Dispensers of this type make it easier to feed your cats because you don't need to frequently add water to the dish; it does it automatically for you. Keep the plastic water dispenser clean for your cats through routine maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Water
• Washcloth
• Distilled white vinegar

Instructions

1. Remove the plastic water dish from the attached dispenser and place 2 tsp. dish soap in the bottom of the dispenser. Fill with warm water and gently shake the dispenser until it creates a soapy mixture.

2. Pour the water and soap mixture from the plastic dispenser and add fresh water. Shake the dispenser again and pour the water our. Continue pouring in fresh water and emptying it out until the water comes out clear, without any suds.

3. Turn the plastic dispenser upside down and let dry overnight. Plastic water dispensers for pets typically have a small mouth or lid on one end of the dispenser. This opening is too small to dry with your hands and a towel, but leaving it sit upside down will make the water drain out.

4. Wash the water dish from the plastic dispenser with dish soap and warm water. Scrub the sides of the bowl carefully with a towel or cloth. A ring may appear, caused by calcium in the water touching the sides of the bowl. Rinse thoroughly and then dry with a washcloth or dish towel.

5. Add 2 tbsp. distilled white vinegar to the plastic water dispenser and cover the opening with your hand. Shake the dispenser vigorously to move the vinegar around the sides of the plastic. The vinegar removes calcium deposits and other stains from the plastic. Turn upside down to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Rinse the container thoroughly after using vinegar. The vinegar leaves behind a sharp taste that transfers to the water. Your cat may refuse to drink the water if it still has the vinegar taste.

References

• Plastic Water Cooler: Plastic Water Cooler
• Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District: Alternative Recipes