I tried a "cat water bowl" with a detachable base! How stable is it, and what was my cat's reaction?

Because cats' ancestors lived in arid areas like deserts, they tend to drink less water and produce highly concentrated urine, which can put a strain on their kidneys.

That's why increasing their water intake is crucial. To do this, it's important to provide a water bowl that cats will prefer.

This time, we're doing a thorough review of a water bowl provided by "303CATLAB" (@303Catlab). As always, we received permission to report without reservation, so we will honestly share what we liked about using it and what we hope to see improved.

A "water bowl" with a detachable dish and base?!

When I received the water bowl from "303CATLAB," the first thing that surprised me was that the bowl and the base were detachable.

Like food bowls, tall water bowls make it easier for cats to drink at an angle, but some products might be a bit too high for short-legged cats like Munchkins.

However, if the bowl can be removed like this, it's easier to set the perfect height by preparing a cat table that suits your cat. This product helps prevent the disappointment of buying a tall water bowl only to find it difficult for your cat to use.

Hearing "the base and bowl are detachable" might make some people worry about stability. I was one of them and worried it might wobble.

However, when I actually fitted the bowl and base together, the stability was surprising! In our home, there was no wobbling even when our cats were drinking.

For those who have read this far, you might be wondering, "Why is the bowl designed to be detachable from the base in the first place?" The hint to unraveling this mystery lies in the numbers engraved on the base.

These numbers are actually very useful for monitoring your cat's water intake. For example, if you give your cat water at 9 AM, you set the bowl with the number "9" on the base facing forward. Then, a few hours later, you can check the markers inside the water bowl to see how much water your cat has consumed in that time, thanks to this unique mechanism.

The internal markers are placed in two locations, with increments of 25ml for the 15ml to 40ml range, allowing for a more detailed check of water intake.

Furthermore, when you purchase the product, it comes with a "research report" that allows you to record and manage your cat's water intake.

The research report allows you to record the time water was given, the time water intake was checked, the amount consumed, the amount of food given, and the number of toilet visits, making it easier to share information with a veterinarian if anything comes up.

Eliminates the stress of whiskers touching the bowl!

Ceramic bowls, unlike plastic ones, have the advantage of being less prone to bacterial growth from scratches when cleaned. However, they can also feel heavy when held, making maintenance a hassle.

But this product, despite its stability, is surprisingly light. Even with water in it, it's not heavy, making it very easy to clean. Since water changes are daily, ease of maintenance is crucial.

Also, since the bowl is quite large, I felt it would be favored by cats with larger faces or medium-to-long-haired cats, as their whiskers would be less likely to touch the sides. To give you an idea, here's a size comparison with a Cat It water bowl.

For sensitive cats, whiskers touching the bowl can cause stress and reduce water intake, so prioritizing this aspect is very important.

The price, however, at 6,050 yen per item, is a bit on the higher side. But it's not just domestically produced; it's made of "Hasami ware" (a type of ceramic produced in Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture) with a history of over 400 years.

Hasami ware is said to be more durable and easier to handle than other ceramics, so it can be considered a cost-effective product in the long run.

What were the "product's strengths" and "areas for improvement" after actual use?

Our cats, Kotaro and Leon, have opposite personalities. Leon loves new things, so he showed interest the moment the product was unboxed, and when water was added, he drank it as usual, lapping it up.

Kotaro, on the other hand, is cautious. He's a bit wary, so it takes him time to get used to new things.

Therefore, in our household, to prevent Kotaro's water intake from decreasing due to wariness of the unfamiliar water bowl, we initially removed the base and placed only the bowl on his usual cat table to help him get accustomed to it.

At first, Kotaro was wary and wouldn't drink from the bowl. He would approach, sniff around, and after a moment of rigidity as if pondering something, he would drink from the "usual bowl" placed next to it.

However, after about four days, he suddenly started using the water bowl. And once he tried it and seemed to like it, he began drinking from it more often.

Since he's very cautious and stops drinking if I get close, it was difficult to photograph him in action. But I was grateful that the detachable bowl and base allowed me to help my cat get used to the new bowl in a way that didn't stress him out.

By the way, although it's not its primary purpose, in winter, due to dryness and air conditioning, the water in the bowl can naturally decrease. So, in our case, the numbers on the base also helped us keep track of when to replenish the water.

Knowing that "if I put water in at this time, it will be reduced by this much by X o'clock..." helped me change the water with more awareness of factors like dryness, which I hadn't paid much attention to before. It was very helpful in preventing situations like "Oh no, there's no water left!"

If I had one wish, it would be for the base to have non-slip grips for added peace of mind. Some cats, after all, are mischievous and like to playfully paw at their bowls.

For such cats, placing the product on a non-slip mat is an option, but I would be happy if the company sold dedicated non-slip grips that fit into the base. 

However, personally, I am very satisfied with the unique design of this product. I believe it is a water bowl that can be easily introduced, regardless of your cat's individuality or personality. 

Additionally, 303CATLAB also sells a food bowl that leverages the unique features of this product. You can use the numbers on the bowl as a reference to put in food and understand how much your cat eats in how many hours, making it recommended for cats on a diet.

The most effective way for cat dieting is to provide the appropriate amount of food divided into multiple meals to satisfy their hunger, as fasting can be dangerous. Introducing a bowl like this makes meal management easier and should alleviate the burden on pet owners.

Being mindful of meal management makes it easier to notice changes in your cat's appetite, which in turn leads to better health management. If you're considering replacing your cat's supplies, check out the detailed product information on 303CATLAB's website.

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