Morning meows before your alarm clock goes off and being away from home—two good reasons for owning an automatic cat feeder. When considering your options, the size of the hopper is a good place to start. If you have more than one cat or you’re planning to be away for a length of time, it might be best to invest in a feeder that holds more food. If you want to schedule feeding times remotely, access to an app on your phone may be helpful.
Cat feeders come in a wide variety of options. The most simple offer a large tank of food from which the cat has continuous access for feeding. The midrange options allow users to portion out cat food throughout the day with the ability to schedule the release of each meal. The most technologically advanced cat feeders include a video camera and two-way voice audio to allow interaction with your cat when away from home. As an added bonus, many feeders come with a 10-second recording option that allows you to record a message that plays at mealtime: “Snowball, time to eat.”
The best automatic cat feeder for you and your cat will depend on how much you want to spend and whether you prefer a simple gadget or a feeder loaded with high-tech features. Whether you want to save time so you’re not filling the dish as often or you want to be ready for your next trip, an automatic cat feeder can be a wise investment. Cat feeders also pair well with cat watering fountains.
Our Top Picks
These top picks take into consideration the above-mentioned features of storage capacity, tech features, and feeding schedules. Read on to discover some of the best automatic cat feeders for pet owners and their furry friends.
Photo: amazon.com
The PETLIBRO feeder has a built-in LCD screen to allow for quick setup and a FEED button for additional feedings. The feeder can program between one to four meals per day, and each meal can include between one to 9 portions. Each portion measures about 2.5 teaspoons.
This feeder allows users to stay connected while away from home with a voice recorder that holds a 10-second message that will let pets know when it’s time to eat. The tank holds 4 liters of dry food, for kibbles sized between 2 millimeters and 10 millimeters. The feeder comes with a desiccant box that holds one bag to make sure the meal is tasty and fresh. The bag should be changed once a month. The food tank and tray are removable for cleaning, and can be washed by hand with water and soap.
This feeder works with a power adapter, but it also stores three D-size batteries (not included) as a backup power supply. In the event of a power outage, the battery power will kick in and the feeder will continue to function.
Photo: amazon.com
With livestream video, check up on furry friends while away. The WiFi-enabled feeder comes with an app that users can install on an iOS or Android device to see and record your kitty in real-time. The feeder is compatible with 2.4Ghz home networks. The camera has a 120-degree wide-angle lens, and there is two-way audio so users can chat with the cat and hear what he/she has to say. The feeder also allows users to record a short and sweet 10-second message to remind the kitty when it’s time to eat.
The feeder can program up to six meals a day, and each meal can include up to 39 portions (each portion size is about 10 to 12 grams of food). The tank holds 6 liters of food and can be filled with kibble sizes measuring between 0.2 inches to 0.6 inches in diameter. That’s enough for a few days away without needing to worry that the cat will run out. The feeder is programmed entirely through the app. In addition to the scheduled feeds, the app gives pet owners the option to push a manual feed to give an extra treat.
To clean, run the food tray and storage barrel under water and wipe it down to dry. Do not place the body of the feeder in water; it can be wiped down if needed. The feeder uses a power adapter or three D-size batteries (not included). The batteries can serve as a backup power supply.
Photo: amazon.com
Prepare special meals for the cat with this automatic cat feeder from Casfuy. Serve up to five meals a day and even switch between dry and wet foods. One or more of the feeding times can be used for snacks. Each compartment can hold up to 240 milliliters of food, and the feeder can be programmed using the user-friendly LCD display. The timed meals work from a 24-hour schedule, and the time can be adjusted by the hour and minute.
The food tray is removable and dishwasher safe, making for an easy clean, and the base shouldn’t be immersed in water.
This cat feeder lets users leave a personalized 10-second message with the built-in voice recorder. With the dual power supply (a power adapter and four C-size batteries, which are not included), cats will be fed even during a power outage.
Photo: amazon.com
This pet food dispenser uses gravity to keep cats fed. When the food level in the bowl drops, the dispenser automatically releases more to fill the bowl. The 1-gallon plastic container is transparent, making it easy to check the food level at a glance.
The base has non-skid rubber feet at the bottom to secure the feeder in place. It’s easy to use and clean, though it should be hand-washed only. The base has integrated side handles that make it easy to lift it off the floor.
Photo: amazon.com
The PETKIT has a small footprint design that takes up less space on the floor. The feeder should be placed in the corner or against a wall. The feeder holds 3.3 pounds of dry food, and the kibbles should be no larger than 12 millimeters. Wrapped in a silicone sealing ring, the lid and the food dispenser help keep cat food dry and fresh, and a desiccant pack can be placed under the lid to maintain food freshness.
Program meal times directly from the app. Users can schedule up to 10 meals a day, and each meal can have up to 10 portions (each portion being between 5 grams and 50 grams of food). The feeder supports 2.4Ghz home Wi-Fi, and users will get notifications when the food in the bucket gets low.
Push an extra manual feed with a button at the top of the feeder. The food outlet door opens automatically at mealtime. To clean the feeder, remove the lid, food container, and tray, then wash in water with soap.
