Cats are notoriously independent creatures and can often be a bit finicky when it comes to their preferences, especially regarding drinking water. However, the lack of adequate water intake can lead to a series of kidney problems in cats, posing a serious concern for pet owners.
The kidneys play a vital role in the overall health of cats, filtering waste and toxins from the blood and regulating fluid balance in the body. When a cat doesn't consume enough water, the kidneys may not receive the necessary amount of fluid to function properly. This can lead to a range of renal complications, including the formation of crystals and stones in the kidneys, urinary tract infections, and even kidney failure.
The lack of water can result in concentrated urine, which increases the risk of crystal and stone formation in the cat's kidneys. These crystals can cause obstruction of the urinary tract, resulting in pain, difficulty urinating, and even permanent kidney damage if not promptly treated.
Furthermore, chronic dehydration can lead to a decrease in kidney function over time, increasing the risk of developing chronic kidney failure. This condition can be progressive and devastating to the cat's health, often requiring intensive and ongoing medical treatment.
To help prevent kidney problems related to inadequate water intake, cat owners should ensure their pets have access to fresh, clean water at all times. With proper care, many kidney problems in cats can be prevented, ensuring a long and healthy life for the feline.
Our solution is a drinking fountain with attractions, capable of encouraging cats to drink water. The project aims to create a fun and dynamic environment for cats, so that drinking water will no longer be just a necessary and mundane activity, but will bring with it fun and pleasure.
The Cat Amusement & Tap Station has been designed down to the smallest detail to provide a suitable solution to the problem in question. Storing up to two liters of water, the device not only keeps the water moving, but is also capable of filtering and cooling it, details that are of great importance for attracting cats to water. In addition, the project includes other types of attractions, such as laser toys and a ball launcher, as well as a snack dispenser, which can be controlled remotely by the guardian. The device also has an audio system, where predefined sounds and even sounds recorded by the user can be played.
Also with a view to the need for monitoring and the importance of interaction between the PET and its guardian, the device has a real-time video system where, even when far away, the owner can monitor and interact with their kitten.
Below is an outline of the general structure of the project.
General Structure - Own authorship
There are three particularly important parts of the mechanics - the camera and laser motion support, the ball launcher and the snack dispenser, which are shown below with possible construction examples:
Camera and laser movement support: Two motors will be used for both camera and laser movement, one of which will be responsible for vertical movement and the other for horizontal movement.
Example Mechanism for laser and camera
Ball launcher: The ball launcher has motors that will be responsible for launching and locking the balls.
Example Mechanism for the Ball Launcher
Example Mechanism for the Snack Dispenser