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• We had the same "problem" with our cats. We made a drinking fountain outside ans they love it.

  Posted by: 2maxie on April 20, 2006 at 11:43 AM

• My stupid cat too. If there was a way to get fresh water from the faucet and have it cat activated... now that would cool.

  Posted by: lasermike026 on April 20, 2006 at 1:49 PM

• Cool Idea,

  However my cat loves to knock over his water dish for attention. So I would have to encase it in something heavy with the water dish removeable. Like cement :) Ya kitty knock that over I dare u :)

  Posted by: delusions on April 20, 2006 at 2:12 PM

• You may be able to eschew the duct tape (I know, duct tape is always desirable) if you have the lid to that plastic container.

  If you trim the lid so it has a rectangular hole that is slightly smaller than the outlet wall plate, you can hold it against the wall with the wall plate. Your container can then be attached to the lid, creating a nice outlet cover.

  I used a similar dodge to cover over a switch that controlled the outlet that powers my computer. I was constantly killing my computer whenever I wanted to turn on the lights. A plastic cover let me protect the switch. (No, I didn't put yellow/black warning tape over it. I save that for the missile launcher switch)

  Posted by: DanYHKim on April 20, 2006 at 5:29 PM

• I have one of these...
  http://www.catflaps.com/en-gb/dept_4.html
  that might be worth figuring out how to make switch a fountain on and off.

  Posted by: zieak on April 21, 2006 at 11:57 AM

• The plastic container can be replaced with a child-proof electrical cover:

  http://www.safety1st.com/product.asp?productID=173

  Posted by: screaminscott on April 21, 2006 at 12:33 PM

• Note to DanYHKim: I had a similar problem, but with a motion-sensor porch light. A 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe strap (the kind that secures pipe to a wall, a half-circle with ears) fits over the switch, with the holes lining up with those on the switchplate with a little flattening. Allows for intentional switch flipping while blocking clumsy hand swipes at the switch next to it.

  Just a thought but one of those IR motion sensors might work great for only running the cat fountain when a cat is around...

  Posted by: ScrappyLaptop on April 21, 2006 at 7:42 PM

• I was planning a different type project for my cat. I had thought about pressure sensors on the rim of the sink to turn on a little trickle for my cat, but this is also an interesting idea.

  Posted by: gyga on April 21, 2006 at 7:43 PM

• Note to DanYHKim: I had a similar problem, but with a motion-sensor porch light. A 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe strap (the kind that secures pipe to a wall, a half-circle with ears) fits over the switch, with the holes lining up with those on the switchplate with a little flattening. Allows for intentional switch flipping while blocking clumsy hand swipes at the switch next to it.

  Just a thought but one of those IR motion sensors might work great for only running the cat fountain when a cat is around...

  Posted by: ScrappyLaptop on April 21, 2006 at 7:44 PM

• Note to DanYHKim: I had a similar problem, but with a motion-sensor porch light. A 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe strap (the kind that secures pipe to a wall, a half-circle with ears) fits over the switch, with the holes lining up with those on the switchplate with a little flattening. Allows for intentional switch flipping while blocking clumsy hand swipes at the switch next to it.

  Just a thought but one of those IR motion sensors might work great for only running the cat fountain when a cat is around...the module is pretty self contained, 110v in and out.

  Posted by: ScrappyLaptop on April 21, 2006 at 7:48 PM

• Why would I want a fountain that drinks my cat?
  :)

  Posted by: rehorstmark@netscape.net on April 22, 2006 at 12:01 PM

• Why would I want a fountain that drinks my cat?

  Posted by: rehorstmark@netscape.net on April 23, 2006 at 8:46 PM

• Solution: Your cats will get slightly thirsty until they realize that the water in their dish is the water they get. It makes me laugh when people say "oh, my cats are picky, they won't eat so-and-so food". I reply "My cats eat whatever I give them, and they love me for it, 'cause they go hungry otherwise".

  Posted by: jcantara on April 24, 2006 at 8:27 AM

• jcantara, you live alone, right? your approach is the one i would take, except for my girlfriend who caves to the cat's demands without a second thought.

  Posted by: potentato on April 24, 2006 at 10:08 AM

• I bought an inexpensive beta fish tank with filter and pump and my cats love it.

  Posted by: Deborah on December 17, 2007 at 10:02 AM

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