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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
For busy cat parents, automatic 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 Monohan of Atlantic Vet 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 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. These days, 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.
Pros and cons of automatic cat feeders
Automatic feeders come in many different styles. In general, they share the same pros and cons.
Cons:
- Require frequent monitoring and cleaning
- Eliminate important bonding time that comes from mealtimes with your pet
- May become jammed or malfunctioned, leading to missed meals
Pros:
- Convenience! No more frustrating early morning wake-up meows
- Useful for long work days and even overnights
- Can help manage differing dietary needs in multicat household
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.
1. Surefeed Microchip Cat Feeder
The Cadillac of automatic cat feeders, this microchip-enabled feeder dispenses pre-portioned servings of wet and/or dry food to one cat at a time. 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 a designated pet, activated by programmed microchip or RFID collar tag
- Perfect for multi-pet homes with cats on prescription diets or weight maintenance plans
- Sealed bowl keeps food fresher for longer
Helpful review: “This feeder is a little out of my usual range when it comes to buying things for my cats, but I was so tired of constantly picking up my cat Jaime’s bowl when he had leftovers and my other cat, Zoe, was lurking. Zoe eats quickly, while Jaime is a total grazer, wandering away from his food after a few bites and coming back later. Zoe was getting overweight, so we couldn’t let her steal her brother’s food. This feeder is a lifesaver.”
Buy Now on Chewy2. PetSafe 5 Meal Automatic Cat Feeder
This low-profile bowl feeder is ideal for cats who need multiple small meals throughout the day. Note: if used with wet food, be sure to wash tray each day to prevent mold.
Why we like it:
- Built-in digital clock and LCD display makes it easy to set timer for meals
- Dispenses dry and semi-wet food (be sure to always have water handy for your cat)
- Lets you dispense multiple small meals throughout the day, ideal for cats on weight management plans
- Food carousel is dishwasher safe
Helpful review: “We have had this pet feeder for well over a year now and it’s still working great. We switched our cat from two meals a day to four smaller meals and this feeder accommodates our needs perfectly. I was easily able to switch the times so our cat’s food is ready in six-hour increments. The feeder has been durable even with our curious twin toddlers poking at it and it’s still in great shape.”
Buy Now on Amazon3. CatMate Two Bowl Automatic Feeder
For cats who need two meals dispensed at specific times, this simple two-bowl feeder 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
Helpful review: “We live three hours out of Chicago and when we need to head for the city, this feeder is great for our two cats. Otherwise, we would have to hire a cat sitter to feed them. We wondered if they would be fond of these dishes and frightened when they opened, but the food was eaten when we returned and that was a big help for us.”
Buy Now on Chewy4. Homdox Automatic Cat Feeder
This space-age feeder dispenses up to four meals at programmed times and lets you record your voice to talk to your cat at mealtime. Note: this one’s for dry food only.
Why we like it:
- Program portions from 5g to 195 grams per feeding
- Inner tank keeps kibble fresh, dispensing only the amount you need
- Cute recording feature let you leave a custom greeting for your pet to hear at each meal
Helpful review: “I’ve got this set up to feed my cat 4 small meals a day, and it works great! I love the dual power option (battery and AC adapter) so it’ll still dispense food if the power goes out.”
Buy Now on Amazon5. Cat Mate C300 Automatic 2 Meal 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
Helpful review: “I have 2 out of 3 cats who need to be on a feeding schedule. I was going crazy feeding them four times a day. These feeders have been awesome! It allows for two automatic feedings (wet or dry) at any two times you choose…It was really hard to find a reasonably priced feeder that was digital AND good for keeping wet food fresh.”
Buy Now on Amazon6. PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeder
We couldn’t write an automatic cat feeder list 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
- Slow Feed option allows the food to dispense slowly over a 15-minute period to help prevent gobbling
- Pet-proof dispenser keeps prying paws from sneaking extra food
Helpful review: “Buy it, don’t let the price deter you. I am so happy with this feeder. It was an easy set up, it can feed multiple times a day, even slow feed. It’s bulky but very sleek looking. Cat loves it, and I got to name it which is a fun little feature. The notification I get on my phone is instantaneous with the food coming out. It’s working flawlessly. Highly recommend.”
Buy Now on ChewyWhatever 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.
