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. These days, automatic cat feeders offer portion control, and many models dispense wet food.
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 multi-cat 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 of the best cat feeders.
1. Surefeed Microchip Pet Feeder
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.”
2. 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 mould.
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.”
3. Cat Mate C20 Automatic Pet FeederCatMate 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 cleaning up easy
- Individual timers let you set two distinct feeding times
Helpful review: “This seems to be well made and so far has been very reliable. I did a couple of test runs to get my cat used to it and ensure it opened rather than relying on it for the first time whilst I was out. It did exactly as it was supposed to and the cat sussed out how to use it no problem. I’d happily recommend it. The ice pack too is useful for warm weather.”
4. Cat Mate C300 Automatic 3 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 tinned 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.”
5. PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeder
PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Pet Feeder
We couldn’t write an automatic cat feeder list without including a smart feeder! This dry-food-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.”
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.
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Featured image: Amazon
