The Best Cat Feeders
It’s always hard to leave your pets at home, especially if you worry about making sure they get fed at mealtime. If you absolutely need to leave Whiskers at home for a day or two, cat feeders are your answer. You can program these machines to feed your pet on time so that your cats never go hungry when you are away.
What to Look For
In order to find the best cat feeders on the market, we considered three main factors: programmability, portion size, and ease of use. The programmable feeder from Petlibro came out on top since it offers superior customization and control. It enables you to use an intuitive app to program in advance or on the fly, making it an incredibly convenient choice. However, if you want an analog solution, check out our second pick, a two-pack of dispensers from Pawzone that will set your cat up with food and water with no electricity needed. Read on for more of our in-depth reviews of the best cat feeders on the market.
Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder
Mealtime is a button press away
Petlibro’s automatic cat feeder comes with numerous useful features, but smartphone app connectivity tops the list. The app is free and supports both iOS and Android devices. You can use it to schedule meals in advance or signal the feeder to dispense food in real-time. Serving sizes can vary from 2.5 teaspoons to 0.5 cups per portion, and you can administer up to 12 portions per meal, which is convenient if you have multiple pets. The product utilizes dual-power settings — you can use both an A/C adapter and three D batteries — to guarantee Whiskers will receive his dinner even if the Wi-Fi drops.
Pros:
- Quick assembly
- Space-saving design
- Can feed your cat for days
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Can be battery-operated or plugged in
Cons:
- Must have Wi-Fi or mobile internet on your phone to adjust the feeder, or it will perform the actions you previously set
Pawzone Automatic Cat Feeder and Water Dispenser
This pick from Pawzone is a dual-purpose water and food feeder that sticks to the basics but does them well. Comprised of two BPA-free plastic containers, this unit utilizes a gravity-feeding design to provide both water and food to your cat even when you’re not around. In contrast to many competing cat feeders on the market, what’s nifty about this one is that it doesn’t rely on electricity to function. That means that your cat will be fed even if the power goes out.
Pros:
- Well priced
- Easy to refill
- Excellent build quality
- Dispensers won’t spill when you move them
- Large enough capacity to keep your cat fed for at least a week
Cons:
- Handwash only
Roffie Automatic Cat Feeder
Complete control
Roffie has designed a feeder that’s suitable for small pets, such as cats and dogs. The storage container holds up to 6.5L of food to ensure your pet eats on time, even when you’re not home. Schedule up to four meals every day with this automatic feeder. The machine gives you the option to record a custom message for your pet and invite them to eat. You can also adjust the serving size to meet your pet’s particular requirements. The product utilizes both electric and battery power, so the batteries will continue running the machine even if you lose power. The control panel is designed to prevent pets from accidentally changing the settings, too.
Pros:
- Dispenses consistent portions
- Food stays sealed and fresh
- Back up battery option
- Helps control weight
- Easy to program
Cons:
- The feeder only specifies the serving size in grams
WellToBe Automatic Feeder
Plenty to share
This automatic feeder is great for cats who like dry food. The serving size is adjustable, with a minimum of 1/16 cup and a maximum of four full cups. That makes the product a great choice for multi-cat homes, as there will be plenty of food for everyone. Another point in this favor is the splitter-style design. The dual-nozzle feeder means that you can funnel food into two separate bowls at the same time so your cats can eat together. The container’s capacity is large, and you can schedule up to six meals a day with the device.
Pros:
- Very reliable
- Dishes are easy to clean
- Programmable portion sizes
- Notified when the food gets low
- Separate bowls ideal for multi-pet homes
Cons:
- Wish there was a phone app
PetSafe Dog and Cat Food Dispenser
Right on schedule
The feeder comes in an unusual box-like design. It has five compartments in which to pack meals. You can schedule the unit to feed your cat, during which the box will open the compartment with food prepared for your pet. Other compartments remain inaccessible to your cat until it’s time to eat what’s inside. The capacity of each compartment is up to a single cup, which gives you total control over portion size. Setup is easy, thanks to the LCD screen and control buttons. The feeder tray is removable and dishwasher-safe, too, which makes cleaning easy.
Pros:
- Programs up to 12 meals a day
- Variety of portion sizes
- Stainless steel bowl
- Long battery life
- Quite durable
Cons:
- Follow the instructions closely because programming meals can be difficult
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an automatic cat feeder work?
This pet feeding tool dispenses programmed food portions at specific times of the day. Load the container and choose when and how much food to serve to your pet. When the time arrives, the machine automatically dispenses the specified portion size into a bowl.
Can a cat feeder slow down my pet’s eating?
If your cat eats too fast, it can make them sick. Consider purchasing an automatic cat feeder with a slow-dispense option. Those machines dispense food over ten or fifteen minutes to slow down their eating process.
Why are ice packs needed for wet food cat feeders?
Wet food has a short lifespan when not refrigerated, so ice packs are used to keep it fresh. However, please note that wet food doesn’t last more than several days, even if you change ice packs regularly.
How do I program an automatic cat feeder?
The details depend on the unit, but most come with a digital display and control buttons. You use the built-in clock to set the desired feeding times. The entire process shouldn’t take more than a minute or two.
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