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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
For busy pet parents, automatic cat feeders are a tempting bit of pet technology. After all, they feed the cat so you don’t have to.
In the past, veterinarians have expressed mixed feelings about automatic feeders. In a blog post, Dr. Laura Monahan of Atlantic Veterinary Hospital in Seattle writes, “Automatic dry cat food feeders lull cat owners into not paying close attention to what their cat(s) are truly consuming, from too much to too little.” Old-fashioned, “free-feeding” feeders that kept the bowl full of kibble at all times made it difficult to know if a cat was overeating or avoiding the bowl.
Thankfully, modern automatic feeders have come a long way. Now, automatic cat feeders offer portion control, and many models dispense wet food. In a 2018 statement, the American Association of Feline Practitioners noted that “automatic feeders can be helpful” when used appropriately. This article has some tips on how often you should feed your cat.
Pros and Cons of Automatic Cat Feeders
Automatic feeders come in many different styles. Most of them share the same advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Convenience! No more frustrating early morning wake-up meows
- Helpful if you have long work days or overnight trips
- Let you manage differing dietary needs in multicat household
Cons:
- Require frequent monitoring and cleaning
- Take the place of important bonding that comes from mealtimes with your cat
- May jam or malfunction, preventing your cat from getting their food
Long story short: when used properly, and in accordance with healthy cat feeding guidelines, automatic cat feeders are handy tools for modern cat parents. With all that in mind, here are our picks for the best cat feeders.
The Best Automatic Cat Feeders
Surefeed Microchip Cat Feeder
The Cadillac of automatic cat feeders, this microchip-enabled feeder is perfect for a multi-cat household where cats have different diets. You pair the feeder to your cat’s microchip, so it opens to feed that cat—and no other pets. The feeder dispenses pre-portioned servings of wet and/or dry food. My friends who have two cats with two different prescription diets swear by their pair of SureFeed feeders.
Why we like it:
- Opens only for the designated pet (activated by paired microchip or, if your cat doesn’t have a chip, by an RFID collar tag that is included)
- Perfect for multi-pet homes and with cats on prescription diets or weight maintenance plans
- Securely covered bowl keeps foods fresh a bit longer
PetSafe Eatwell Five-Meal Automatic Cat Feeder
This low-profile bowl feeder is ideal for cats who need multiple small meals throughout the day. Note: If you are using this feeder with wet food, you’ll need to wash tray each day to prevent mold growth.
Why we like it:
- Built-in digital clock and LCD display makes it easy to set the timer for meals
- Dispenses dry and wet food (be sure to provide a separate bowl for your cat’s water)
- Lets you dispense multiple small meals throughout the day, ideal for cats on weight management plans
- Food carousel is dishwasher safe
Cat Mate C20 Two-Bowl Automatic Feeder
Automatic cat feeders don’t have to be complicated. For cats who need two meals dispensed at specific times, this simple two-bowl feeder with easy-to-set dial timers is a winner.
Why we like it:
- Built-in ice pack keeps wet food fresh for several hours
- Removable, dishwasher-safe bowls and lid make cleanup easy
- Individual timers let you set two distinct feeding times
Cat Mate C300 Automatic Pet Feeder
Cats thrive on multiple small meals throughout the day, but that can be tough to accomplish if you work outside the home. This three-bowl feeder solves the problem, dispensing meals at set times whether you’re home or not.
Why we like it:
- Easy clean, removable dishwasher-proof lid and bowl
- Included ice pack helps keep canned food fresh
- Battery-operated digital timer is easy to set and see
PetSafe Smart Feed 2.0 Automatic Pet Feeder
We couldn’t write list of automatic cat feeders without including a smart feeder! This kibble-only dispenser works with iPhone and Android to let you control your cat’s meals from afar.
Why we like it:
- Program up to 12 meals ahead of time, or use the “Feed Now” option to feed your pet on demand from afar using your phone app
- The “slow feed” option dispenses the food slowly over a 15-minute period to help prevent gobbling
- Pet-proof dispenser keeps prying paws from sneaking extra food
Feeder-Robot for Cats and Dogs
Take a deep breath, check in your deep pockets, and take a look at the brand new Feeder-Robot from the folks who brought you the Litter-Robot 3. This WiFi-enabled dry-food feeder (capacity: 32 cups) lets you control how much food is served, and when, using either manual controls on the unit or an AutoPets Connect app on your phone. It comes with one plastic bowl; you can buy additional stainless steel or glass bowls that fit the device in addition.
Why we like it:
- Option to use manual or app-based controls (so you don’t have to use the WiFi if you don’t want to)
- Expected durability (the complex Litter-Robot machinery has a good reputation, and this simpler device from the same company should hold up to use)
- Ninety-day money-back guarantee—you’ll have the opportunity to see if it’s really worth the price ($249 at the time that we wrote this post)
Tips for Using Automatic Cat Feeders
Whatever automatic cat feeder you choose, take time to train your cat how to use it properly. And be patient! Some cats aren’t sure what to make of their robot feeders at first, but once they get used to them, they’ll be happy to have a new food-dispensing friend.
