Have you ever wished your cat’s meals could just sort themselves out? Well, automatic cat feeders are here to save the day. Whether you’re having a busy one, away from home for the evening or just want to keep your cat on a regular feeding schedule, these clever gadgets make life easier for both you and your feline friends. But with so many options, how do you pick the best one?
Fear not – The Cool Cat Club has rounded up five of the best automatic cat feeders to suit every kind of cat household. Whether you’re looking for something to control from your phone, something suitable for two cats, or perfect for wet food.
How Do Automatic Cat Feeders Work?
We’ve all been thinking it… Automatic cat feeders generally work by dispensing pre-portioned meals at set times, so your cat is always fed on schedule and the right amount. Some are gravity-fed (these ones are best for dry food), while others use timers or even smart technology to serve meals.
For two-cat households (the best kind), look for feeders with two bowls or even split dispensers. Some super high-tech feeders have microchip technology to make sure the right cat gets the right meal – there’s always one who tires. They’re ideal for peace of mind when life gets busy. Or if you’d like to get an extra 20 minutes in bed without your cat yelling for breakfast.
The 5 Best Automatic Cat Feeders
(In our humble opinion).
1. PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder 3L
Where to Buy: John Lewis (along with other retailers)
One to know for anyone with a busy schedule. It holds up to 1.2kg of dry food and features a 10-second voice recording option to call your cat for meals (Pspsps), which can be replayed up to five times. A transparent window lets you keep an eye on food levels and helps prevent binge eating by dispensing the right amount of food throughout the day.
- Why We Love It: Voice recordings and easy monitoring.
- Best For: Busy cat parents who want to maintain a regular feeding schedule.
2. SureFlap SureFeed Microchip Feeder
Where to Buy: Pets at Home (along with other retailers)
Now this is the truly smart one. Is one of your cats always helping themselves to the other’s food? This microchip-enabled feeder might just be the solution. It makes sure that each cat gets their fair share, working with wet or dry food.
- Why We Love It: Stops food stealing and works with your cat’s microchip or a collar tag.
- Best For: Homes with more than one cat or special dietary needs.
3. PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Feeder
Where to Buy: Pets at Home (along with other retailers)
Think of this one as the Lazy Suzan of cat feeders. A rotating tray with five compartments makes this feeder great for cats who eat both wet and dry food. Set up to five meals a day with the simple timer and it’ll do the rest. Bonus: It’s super easy to clean.
- Why We Love It: Versatile, affordable, and simple to set up.
- Best For: Cats who enjoy The Cool Cat Club food wet and dry or kitties on a weight management plan.
4. Cat Mate C500 Automatic Feeder
Where to Buy: B&Q (along with other retailers)
If your kitty is all in for wet dinners, this feeder’s the standout. With five compartments and built-in ice packs, it keeps meals fresh and ready to go. It’s also worth mentioning the compact design makes it easy to fit into smaller spaces.
- Why You’ll Love It: Perfect for wet food and keeps everything nice and cool.
- Best For: Cats who love wet food or households needing a compact feeder.
5. Catit PIXI Smart Feeder
Where to Buy: Argos (along with other retailers)
For anyone living in the future, The Catit PIXI Smart Feeder is a high-tech choice. Ace for dry food and purrfect for busy cat parents. It holds up to 1.2kg of food – enough for 10 to 15 feeds – and sends notifications straight to your phone via its SmartApp (clever, right?). You can schedule meals, monitor portion sizes and always know your cat is fed. Even when you’re not home.
- Why We Love It: Built-in Wi-Fi for remote meal management and low food alerts.
- Best For: Tech-savvy cat parents who want full control over feeding schedules.
What to Consider When Choosing an Automatic Cat Feeder
Picking the right automatic cat feeder isn’t just about convenience. It’s about finding something that fits your cat’s unique needs (and yours too). Here are a few things to keep in mind before hitting “Add to Cart”:
- Feeding Schedule: Does your cat thrive on multiple small meals throughout the day, or do they just need a morning and evening portion? Some feeders are great for frequent, smaller portions, while others cater to set schedules. Think about what works best for their routine (and keeps the hunger-induced chaos at bay).
- Food Type: Are you serving up dry kibble or wet food? Some feeders handle both, but others are best suited to one type. If your cat loves their wet food, look for models with features like ice packs or sealed lids to keep things fresh.
- Number of Cats: Sharing isn’t every cat’s strong suit. If you’ve got more than one feline pal, consider a feeder designed for multi-pet households, like those with microchip recognition to make sure each cat gets their fair share.
- Ease of Use: Let’s face it – nobody wants to spend hours wrestling with confusing programming instructions. Look for feeders with intuitive controls, easy cleaning options, and features like transparent windows to monitor food levels at a glance.
- Special Features: Got your eye on something more tech-savvy? Some feeders come with app controls, voice message capabilities or even microchip access. These extras can add a whole new level of convenience and fun to mealtime.
Remember, the best feeder isn’t just the fanciest. It’s the one that keeps your cat happy, healthy, and well-fed (with minimal effort on your part too).