The Adjustable Drinking Cup From a Faucet for Your Cat

If there is one thing in life that we spoil, it's our pets. Our pets deserve the finer things in life compared to us. That's just how life works. My cat is the most spoiled cat in the world. Ya'll can argue otherwise, but he is the most spoiled. Since he was a baby, my family and I have been giving him the spa treatment to the point we have been giving him water from the faucet in the bathroom. He is far too good for a water bowl (seriously we been through 4 water bowls). Anyways, he is now around his teens and isn't the young kitty he used to be though he'll still wake us up at 5 in the morning. He struggles with drinking water from the faucet because he can't move his joints like he used to. It started getting sad watching my cat struggle to drink the water. Then a lightbulb went off and I was like, hold up...I'm an engineer so why not I build him something to help him? So, I got to work and made him his very own adjustable drinking cup.

This little invention is for all you pet lovers whose pets drink from the faucet.

You will need:

• 3D Printer
• Filament (any color that suits your cat)
• Super Glue
• Silicone Placemat
• Plastic Threaded Pipe (Both the screw and nut)
• Scissors
• Sharpie
• Japanese Saw
• Pliers
• Swivel faucet
• Your adorable Kitty-witty

In my mind, I had envisioned what I wanted my cup to look like. I was looking around my house searching for something that would prove to be useful and resourceful. Then, my mom was like, "Why not use a plastic cup? You know the ones we use when guests come over." You could imagine me just kicking myself because that would have been the most obvious and best choice to make a prototype.

I needed two cups to make the prototype. I took the two cups and cut them in half. I took the bottom portions and glued the bases together. Then, I used the top portions of the cups to make the ramps for the input and output of the water. It was only a couple of snips and tape to build the whole entire prototype. I was pretty proud because it was able to last a month for my cat.

Every time my cat frank from the prototype, it would constantly slide around and even fall in the sink causing me to pick it up and resettle it. Thus, the cup would need a base to prevent sliding. Also, it was too low for my cat. He still had to hunch over or turn into the loaf of bread to drink it. Thus, the height would need to be adjustable because this isn't just for my cat but for all cats. There are big, small, tall, short, long, thick, or thin cats. It varies for all.

After identifying some problems, I can make the designs that will make the best version of the adjustable drinking cup. My design would have a plastic screw connecting the base to the cup. The base is primarily the part resting on the sink and supporting the cup. The screw itself would be glued to the bottom of the cup. The nut would be glued to the base. The base would be glued to a cut-out of the silicone placemat to prevent any sliding.

Then there will be two funnels (input and output) allowing the water to enter from the faucet and return back into the sink. The cup will have a hole at the side for the water to escape and ride down the funnel. The funnel allowing the water to enter the cup would be connected to a clip that could slide around the cup.

This will make sense when putting everything together.

The screw you should use should be plastic because metal would be too heavy and hard to manipulate. It should also be thick because thin would make it wobble if not break.

I recommend getting a sink drain pipe from your local hardware store because the screw and the nut are fairly easy to manipulate and there are meant to get wet. The inner dimension of the screw is 1.1 "

IMPORTANT: Make sure the screw's length is longer than you want it to be. It's better to have more options rather than to be limited by what you have.

I used Onshape to make the 3D printed parts. It wasn't easy but don't worry I'll attach the files. Just make sure the dimensions fit with the plastic screw you get. Also, the attachments will download in mm.

Few Tips:

• Don't use a raft. It will waste filament and time. The bases are big enough.
• The parts should be light so I guess less than 40 % infill
• Print them at different times because one can take about an hour. Also, I'm guessing you would rather print one and check and measurements to make adjustments in the CAD if a part were to be smaller or bigger than expected

Good Luck! I understand the pain of printing over and over again :)

Make sure to have everything laid out.

You want all the 3D printed parts and required supplies.

The base is easy.

First, place your 3D printed base onto the silicone placemat. Use your sharpie to trace around it. Then, cut the traced silicone circle from the placemat. Your choice if you want it to be seen or unseen. If unseen, trim it a bit until you're satisfied.

Next, glue the nut within the base. Really get it in there before gluing. Also, make sure it's on the right side up. You might want to put a few drops on top of the nut and base.

Lastly, glue the silicone circle onto the base.

You're are all done with the base.

Before gluing, see how much screw you want; meaning what height you want the cup to reach. With this design, you might get a little over two inches without the screw, just the 3D parts. After identifying the maximum height, use the Japanese saw to cut off the remaining screw that won't be needed.

Now for the gluing. Glue the screw to the bottom of the cup. Wait until dry. Trust me. WAIT. Then, test the cup with its screw. Finally, screw the cup to the nut attached to the base.

You're done with the cup.

Look, I understand you love gluing but I'm going to have to stop you again. Before gluing, double-check the length you want to funnel to extend to the faucet. Once you've made your decision, then you can glue the clip to the funnel. Now, attach the clip to the cup.

YOU ARE FINALLY DONE!! (I think)

Will your cat accept or decline.? It all comes down to our cats. Our cats will determine the future of the "adjustable drinking cup from a faucet."

May the odds be ever in your favor.

(because they were in mine. YES! This is a big win for me. My cat usually walks away)

Thanks for bearing with me y'all. I hoped your adjustable drinking cup from a faucet was functional. If you didn't make one because you don't have a cat or you have a dog or your cat prefers a water bowl, that's alright. Thanks for reading my instructable. Bye!