Pet fountain pumps: types, cleaning and replacement

What types of pump do pet fountains use?

There are three designs in our database, and the type is shown for each model in the finder above.

• Submersible. A sealed motor sits in the reservoir and pushes water up through a tube or spout. This is the most common type (Catit, PetSafe Drinkwell, Pioneer Pet, Oneisall, the PETLIBRO stainless fountain). It needs the water level kept above the minimum mark and a regular rinse of the intake and impeller.
• Wireless (inductive). A coil in the base turns the part in the tank without a power cable passing through the water. PETKIT's EverSweet fountains use a detachable wireless pump, and PETLIBRO's Dockstream line spins a rotor inside the tank from a motor in the base, so there is no conventional pump in the water at all. PetSafe's HydroSphere models are listed as wire-free as well.
• Battery-powered. This describes the power, not the pump: cordless fountains run a wireless or submersible pump from a built-in battery or USB. The diagram below shows how corded and cordless fountains differ; see also the cordless cat fountains page.

How do I clean the pump?

Unplug the fountain first. Then:

1. Lift the pump out and remove the cover or foam pre-filter if there is one.
2. Pull off the impeller (the small spinning part) if the manual says it comes off; many pumps are designed so it does.
3. Rinse the housing and impeller in warm water and use a small brush to clear hair and film from the intake and the shaft. Pioneer says to clean its pump monthly.
4. Refit everything dry side first, fill the tank above the minimum line, and listen for steady running before you walk away.

Stuck debris around the impeller is the documented cause of noise in the PetSafe and Catit records, and a dirty rotor shaft is the cause for PETLIBRO's Dockstream 2. The noisy pump fix goes through that in order.

When should the pump be replaced?

Cleaning comes first. Replace the pump when:

• The flow stays weak after the filter is changed and the intake and impeller are clean.
• It buzzes or rattles after cleaning, which can mean a worn bearing or a cracked impeller.
• It starts and stops on its own, or does not start at all with the correct power supply.
• The housing is cracked or water has got inside.

Check the warranty first: Oneisall states a 2-year warranty and PawsPik a one-year limited warranty on their sites, so a failed pump may be covered.

Which replacement pump fits my fountain?

These are the replacement pumps in our database, with the part code as the manufacturer prints it. Other part numbers exist for other models, so match your own fountain in the finder.

Catit and PETLIBRO's Dockstream models are not in this table: Catit's pumps are separate submersible units, but our database has no part code for them, and the Dockstream design has no pump to buy. If you cannot find your model, the brand pages link to each maker's support page.

For the filter that sits in front of the pump, see when to change a fountain filter.