The Best Automatic Cat Feeders
Whether you have a busy schedule or you just tend to be forgetful, automatic cat feeders make life easier. They ensure your cat gets their food and water when they need it, even if you don't get a chance to feed them in person. There are lots of different kinds as well, ranging from those that just continuously release food to the more high-tech options that portion and schedule meals out for your cat. That's why we decided to weed out the winners from the duds and bring you a list of the best.
What to Look For
In our search, we asked ourselves four questions: Can we adjust the settings to customize its schedule for our cats’ specific needs? Does it have an easy-to-clean design? Is it reliable? Is the price fair? Our favorite was the automatic feeder from Petlibro, which let us schedule the mealtime and customize the meal size. We also loved its sleek design that makes cleaning a breeze. However, it only works with dry foods. For wet food fans, we found the Cat Mate, which keeps both dry and wet food fresh for up to four meals. Read on to learn about the rest of our favorite options and why they stood out to us.
Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder
Modern mealtime
Are you the type of person who loves to have all the latest tech? If so, you might appreciate the Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder. It holds enough food for up to fifty 15ml portions, each served up on your preferred schedule. In fact, you can set up to six meals per day. An LED indicator light lets you know when the food is running low so that you always know when to refill it, and the screen shows you how much food is left and what the battery level is. Overall, this feeder makes life convenient.
Pros:
- Setting up the schedule and portion sizes is super easy, largely thanks to the simple interface and large LCD panel.
- Unlike many other feeders on the market, this one rarely clogs, thanks to the clever design of the dispenser.
- Depending on the amount of food your cat eats, this can hold enough food for over two weeks before it needs refilling.
Cons:
- It isn’t airtight, so food doesn’t stay as fresh as it could.
Roffie Automatic Cat Feeder
Keep it coming
When you want all of the perks that come with an advanced electronic feeder without the hefty price tag, you may want to check out the Roffie Automatic Cat Feeder. It’s easy to set, and you can schedule up to four meals per day. In fact, each meal can be set to a different amount of food, making it easier than ever to control your cat’s diet. As a fun bonus, this feeder lets you set up a voice recording so that your cat still associates your voice with mealtimes, even if you’re out of town for the week.
Pros:
- You can add three D batteries (not included) to ensure that the food continues to dispense in the case of a power outage. That way, you can rest assured your kitty won’t miss a meal.
- Although there are quite a few customizable features, it’s still easy to program for basic needs.
- The large canister means you have to refill it rarely. It’s also sealed, so food stays fresh inside it for a long time.
Cons:
- When the food spills out, it can be kind of noisy. Most cats like the sound, but some don’t.
Welltobe Automatic Pet Food Dispenser
Feed the whole family
Finding an automatic pet feeder is tough when you have multiple cats. They tend to be bulky as it is, so having more than one may take up too much space. That’s why the Welltobe Automatic Pet Food Dispenser is such a fantastic choice. Although it has the option to use as a traditional automatic feeder for a single pet, it also includes a two-way adapter and two bowls. It perfectly portions meals at set times, and your cats can eat at the same time without having to scuffle.
Pros:
- We were surprised at how effective the voice recorder feature is for comforting cats. It also helps them associate you with food, so they feel a bond even when you aren’t home.
- The built-in reversing mechanism does a fantastic job of preventing jams.
- It can hold a whopping 13 cups of food at a time.
Cons:
- It can only dispense kibbles under 0.47 inches in size, so your jumbo kibbles won’t work.
Cat Mate Automatic Pet Feeder
Cooling convenience
If you think feeding fresh-cooked, raw, or wet food means you can’t use an automatic feeder, think again. The Cat Mate Automatic Pet Feeder is made to serve up to five meals. The included ice packs keep all of the food fresh throughout the day, so you simply set it and go to work with confidence. It uses simple AA batteries, which means you don’t need to worry about finding anything special or setting it up near an outlet. Your cat will love it.
Pros:
- The sleek design does more than just make it easy on the eyes. Its smooth surfaces are easy to wipe down and keep sanitized.
- You can fit other ice packs inside, so you can always keep one in the freezer ready to go.
- It’s very quiet, so it won’t startle jumpy cats (or people).
Cons:
- Replacing the batteries can be annoying and get pricey over time, so we recommend investing in some rechargeable batteries.
Pawzone Automatic Cat Feeder Set
Affordable and effective
Sometimes you just want to skip the complicated electronics and go straight to the classics. That’s when you’ll want to check out the Pawzone Automatic Cat Feeder Set. It comes with both an automatic feeder and an automatic water dispenser, both of which use simple gravity to operate. All you need to do is fill each canister and set it up. They will hold enough to keep your cats happy and fed for days, and you won’t have to worry about dead batteries or food jamming up the works.
Pros:
- This set has fewer parts than most pet feeders, so it’s super easy to clean and sanitize in the sink.
- The included mat helps catch spills and keep the feeders in place.
- Refilling it might seem like it would be messy, but it’s actually really easy and mess-free.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have portion control, so it’s not effective for cats on a diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you try an automatic cat feeder?
Cats are habitual pets. That means they tend to thrive with schedules, and they often learn theirs easily. So when you go out of town or work late, it can affect them negatively, especially where mealtimes are involved. Automatic feeders ensure they eat at their scheduled time every day, even if you aren’t home.
How much food should you feed your cat per day?
How much food you feed your cat is based on several factors, including age, size, and health. For example, a kitten will eat more often because they are growing rapidly. Meanwhile, adult cats that are overweight or healthy may eat a bit less. Elderly cats need to eat more and need to eat more specialized food. We recommend checking in with your vet and reading the feeding guidelines on your cat’s food.
About the Author
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Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.