5 Best Automatic Cat Feeder [2019 Updated]

Most pet owners hate to wake up early to feed their cats. Others have to travel for business and worry about how their pet will be fed in their absence. A cat feeder can come in handy here. This article will highlight the best automatic cat feeder review with tips on how to choose.

A cat feeder is highly recommended for most households with cats. While you can feed your cats by yourself, it is necessary to automate this task. You won’t be available to feed your cat always, so automate the task to keep your cat healthy.

There are different automatic cat feeders on the market. Some of these devices are configured and programmed with mobile devices. Even though cat feeders are widespread today, it can be difficult to choose the best for your cat. This review was made to simplify this process with tips on how to find the best automatic cat feeder.

Top 5 Picks Automatic Cat Feeders

1. SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder

The Surefeed Microchip automatic feeder is different from most of the feeders on the list. Rather than portioning the food, the feeder detects the cat’s microchip or RFID collar to make sure that the cat that needs it to get it.

If the registered cat goes to the feeder, the food container opens up and lets the cat eat. The lid closes when the cat is full and leaves the feeder.

The feeder may be ideal for an undercatwho is too shy to eat and lives among other larger cats. It can register up to 32 ID’s and opens when the approved cat goes close to the device. It also helps keep the pet’s special diets separate to help cats with special dietary needs.

It remembers the identities of the cat even when the batteries are taken out. Its compartment is also sealed to help keep food fresher for longer. The feeder works with all food types as well. There are lots of mat and bowl colors to suit your taste and fit into your home. It is quite easy to program and comes with a 3-year warranty.

What we liked

• Training mode works well for stubborn cats
• Prevents food stealing in multiple cat households
• Easy setup

What we didn’t like

• It’s a bit bulky

2. PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed

The Petsafe Simply Feed device has a high capacity storage as well as a smooth conveyor system. This feature allows it to dispense kibbles and moist foods. It may offer a dependable choice for pet owners who don’t want a feeder that jams.

It has a slow feed setting that may be ideal for controlling the cat’s eating speed. The feeder offers 12 different customizable time settings. This will allow you to feed your cat food during different times in the day.

It also has a preset feeding schedule that can be set twice daily. The settings include immediate feed and 12 customizable feeding times. It may be ideal for grazers who prefer freshly dispensed food all through the day.

Semi-moist food and kibbles are the best types of food for this dispenser. It also has a stainless steel bowl that is safe for dishwasher use.

Tiny kittens who are gulpers may also benefit from using this feeder. Its slow feed mode can help dispense the meals over fifteen minutes to ensure that the cat does not eat quickly and become sick.

Its hopper can contain about 24 cups of food. Batteries are used in this feeder and may be used with a separate adaptor. You can also feed multiple cats with a splitter.

What we liked

• Great for two cats
• Stainless steel bowl is easy to clean
• The conveyor belt works with different food sizes

What we didn’t like

• It can be knocked over easily because it is light at the bottom.

3. Feed and Go Smart Pet Feeder

For pet owners who love to test new pet technology, this feeder may offer a lot. It works with a Wi-Fi connection and can be monitored from a computer or a smartphone. It allows the cat’s food consumption to be controlled from any location. The feeder has a webcam as well to help the pet owner to monitor the eating habits of the cat.

The feeder also comes with a customizable scheduling system as well as 6 trays that can contain different foods. If offers 3 feeding options such as the one-time feed that is scheduled for one day, the one-off feed which dispenses a meal at once and the regular feeding schedule.

You can also use its voice recording feature to make custom messages to help notify your pet that it is mealtime. You are also given control from a remote location with the connectivity settings. The settings do not change when the Wi-Fi signal is lost.

The feeder can be used with all types of food such as wet, dry kibble, semi-moist, medication or treats. Its special locking mechanism may come in handy to prevent food stealing. All its settings are restored when unplugged and plugged back in within a few minutes.

What we liked

• Simple setup
• The webcam can double as a security measure
• Excellent for scheduled feeding

What we didn’t like

• Quite pricey

4. Petmate Pet Cafe Feeder

The food dispenser has a simplistic design that blends with all kitchen designs. It has a transparent container to help you monitor the food level so your precious cat won’t run out of food.  The Café feeder comes in 3 sizes and colors

It works well with cats and other small animals. Its food container can hold about 3 Ibs. of food. Also, it is made from polyethylene terephthalate, an eco-friendly and sustainable material. This material is found in commercial products such as feeders. The hopper is also BPA-free, and this makes it both safe and recyclable.

The base and lid of the automatic cat food dispenser can be washed safely in the dishwasher. Each unit comes with recessed handle parts that make it easier to lift without having to worry about it breaking off.

What we liked

• Great security measures for homes with multiple cats
• Helps control the weight of overweight cats
• Easy to clean

What we didn’t like

• The dish isn’t deep enough

5. Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder

This feeder design makes washing a breeze. All parts of the automatic feeder can be disassembled and put together again when it’s cleaning time.

Its timer can be programmed to work for seven days at most and can dispense food in eight different feed cycles. These cycles are based on groups of days or days. It can work with different feeding schedules, and the settings are cat-proof. Smart cats won’t be able to override the feeder to get more food.

If you also prefer to measure smaller amounts of food for your cat several times during the day, you can schedule it. This feature may come in handy when you need to check your cat’s weight. The feeder also has a 24-cup capacity to contain enough food for the cat while you’re away.

What we liked

• Large bowl can stock food for long periods
• Can be placed outside in an enclosure
• Programs feeding with ease

What we didn’t like

• Food may get stuck

How to Pick An Automatic Cat Feeder

Before picking any automatic cat feeder that is battery operated, you must consider how it can keep your cat fit, active while also maintaining their weight.

Research has shown that about fifty percent of cats and dogs are overweight. A feeder can reduce or compound the problem. You could have an obese cat in some circumstances.

Cats gain more weight since they are not naturally active and eat more calories and do not burn enough off.

Number of cats in your home

Before buying a feeder, consider the number of cats in the house. Experts recommend buying different feeders for each pet. This is because some are aggressive when eating and could stop others from eating.

Size and Strength of the Cats

Before buying the best automatic cat feeder, consider the strength and size of your pet. A bigger or overweight cat needs a stronger dispenser with a timer. This regulates feeding time according to your settings. It will help keep your cat healthy.

Is it Suitable for Cats?

Some automatic feeder models are designed for dogs while others are made for dogs. The models for cats may work for small dogs, but both animals have different dietary needs. So search for a specialized feeder for your cat.

Amount of Food

The amount is food is important because it must dispense kibbles of different amounts during feeding time, to prevent overfeeding. Some come with a protected nozzle technology to prevent smart cats from getting more than they are entitled to. Other cats eat too fast. You can get feeders that dispense a few kibbles at a time.

Capacity and Efficiency of the Feeder

How much food can the feeder hold? You need to check this feature to know how much you’ll need to refill at a time. It should also hold and dispense enough food where you have multiple cats. Also, the feeder should have an airtight hopper since the food will be stored in the feeder for a long time.

The shape of the kibble must be considered as well. Some feeders use tubes to transmit the food. If the kibble is large, it could get stuck. Pick a feeder with an adjustable feature to promote navigation.

Other Features

• In most cases, a good feeder must have scheduling and custom feeding features.
• It should also use a reliable power source. If there is no electricity or the battery dies, your cat may starve.
• Some cats are smart and can hack into the feeder to take more food than they need. This makes food rationing over a long period more difficult. Ensure that the feeder you choose is secure especially if your cat is classified into the dieter category.
• Adjustable portion sizes.
• They dispense food smoothly and effectively because jammed feeders aren’t ideal.
• Work with the cat’s preferred diet.
• They use a reliable timing mechanism to help feed your cat according to the schedule you have set.

What Type of Feeder your Cat needs

Gulper

If you cat inhales their food under six seconds and throws it up after some time, he’s a gulper. You can manage this eating habit by using a slow feed dispenser.

Latchkey Cat

This cat feeds often and eats all through the day. Such cats overeat, but a cat feeder can solve this problem.

Grazer

This type of cats may need to eat often because they have health issues. An automated feeding schedule helps ease the lives of such pets.

Undercat

The under-cat is one that lives among other greedy felines who steal all the food before they can get to it. Sometimes, there may not be other cats to steal food. It may be insects that crawl into the cat’s bowl. Some dogs also steal cat food and babies may crawl over the kibble. An automatic feeder can help prevent such from happening.

Dieter

The dieter cannot stop eating until his bowl is empty. Such cats may need to lose some weight, but their owners find it difficult to control their portions to ensure that they are eating the right amount.

Conclusion

Automatic feeders can be ideal for individuals seeking to control their cat’s eating habits. It also helps feed their cat when they are not home and ensures that their cat eats right portion of the meals.

The clear winner of the roundup of the best automatic feeder is the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. It is ideal for the undercat who is bullied by other more aggressive cats. It has a security system that keeps other cats out. It also helps prevent stealing of food by finicky cats.

Be sure to know what category your cat falls into as it will largely influence your buying decision.