The Best Automatic Cat Feeders of 2024
Contents
- Top 6: Automatic Pet Feeder Reviews
- 1. PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Timed Cat Feeder
- 2. Wopet Automatic Feeder
- 3. PetSafe Smart Feed Timed Feeder
- 4. Arf Pets Automatic Food Dispenser for Pets
- 5. PetSafe 5 Meal Pet Feeder for Dogs and Cats
- 6. Belopezz Smart Pet Automatic Feeder
- Verdict and Review
- PetSafe Healthy Pet Feeder
- Pros
- Cons
- Buying Guide
- Features to Consider Before Purchasing
- Benefits of Auto Feeders
- Conclusion
Making sure that your cat gets consistent food at the same times everyday can be an annoying and tedious task, considering many of us have work and other obligations that can prevent us from keeping up with this consistently every day. It’s best for your cat’s health if they receive food at the same times every day, since it can promote a healthy growth.
That’s why getting an automatic cat feeder is beneficial for these instances. Auto feeders have the ability to deliver food into your cat’s bowl at set times per day, ensuring that your cat always has access to the correct amount of food at the right meal times.
But it’s time-consuming to find the best models for this task on the market. That’s why we’ve reviewed six of the best automatic pet feeders that we could find on the market. You can also use them for dogs if you have any!
Top 6: Automatic Pet Feeder Reviews
# | Preview | Product | Our Rating | Link | Price / Value |
1 | PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Timed Cat Feeder | 10/10 | |||
2 | Wopet Automatic Cat Feeder | 9.5/10 | |||
3 | PetSafe Smart Feed Timed Cat Feeder | 9/10 | |||
4 | Arf Pets Automatic Food Dispenser for Pets | 9/10 | |||
5 | PetSafe 5 Meal Pet Feeder for Dogs and Cats | 9/10 | |||
6 | Belopezz Smart Pet Automatic Feeder | 9/10 |
The PetSafe feeder can to store up to 12 meals for your cat in its storage container. It allows you flexibility while figuring out portion sizes, since you can schedule anywhere from 1/8 cup to 4 cups per portion.
We also found that this feeder offers exceptional pet-proof qualities, eliminating the risk that your pet can break into the dispenser and make a mess of the stored food. The BPA-free plastic of this device offers safe and easy-to-clean characteristics since you can even wash it in the dishwasher for a deep clean.
Furthermore, this PetSafe device offers various different settings that you can utilize if your pet is a either smaller in size or a slow eater.
Pros
- Fits up to 12 meals for your pet
- Offers flexibility in the portion sizes of meals, ranging from 1/8 cup to 4 cups per serving
- Constructed using a BPA-free and dishwasher-safe plastic material
Cons
- Requires 4 D-cell batteries to function, and they’re not included
One thing we love about the Wopet feeder is the ability to record a message for your pet while you’re not there, and they can be signaled to eat food with your voice!
You can also control the sizes of the meals your cat gets. For instance, you can set the proportion settings ranging from two teaspoons to 4.5 cups of cat food. This feeder also conveniently runs on three D-sized batteries, so you don’t have to worry about placing the device near a power outlet.
Moreover, the feeding tray included with this device is removable and you can easily wash it in the washing machine. The storage compartment for the food is also large enough to store several days worth of food. The storage container is large enough to store up to 20 cups of food overall.
We also found that this automatic cat feeder features a built-in programmable timer whose settings can be altered in order to fit your cat’s specific feeding requirements. And you can alter the settings of this device on the LCD screen displayed on the product.
Pros
- Storage container holds 20 cups
- Delivers a recording of your voice for your pet
- Equipped with an LCD screen display
Cons
- Limited number of feedings per day, not the best larger pets
This PetSafe device comes equipped with an application that you can download on your phone in order to operate the device while on-the-go. More specifically, you have the ability to schedule up to 12 total meals for your cat or dog. You even have the option to feed your pet by clicking the Feed Now option in addition to the scheduled feeding.
We found this device to offer the most convenience for individuals always on-the-go since you can simply operate the device from practically anywhere while on your phone. We found that the device offers the option to vary your pet’s portion sizes in order to fit their specific bodies, ranging from 1/8 cup to four cups per portion.
Lastly, this product from PetSafe includes materials that are all dishwasher safe, so we easily and safely washed them in the dishwasher in order to ensure optimal cleanliness.
Pros
- Operates from your phone
- Battery function backup for when WiFi gives out
- Offers a Slow Feed option
Cons
- More expensive than other feeders on the market
Considering the feature of offering up to 10 portions per meal, this Arf Pets device comes with the convenience you need while dealing with a busy schedule filled with other obligations. We found this product to offer optimal convenience because it comes with a blue lightup LCD clock and display that we easily operated with the adjustable settings.
Additionally, this product comes equipped with a magnetic lock lid that you easily unlock and re-secure so that your pet cannot gain access to the stored food inside. Even more than that, your pet doesn’t even have the ability to view the food on the inside of the device, preventing them from trying to gain access to inside the feeder.
Lastly, we used the recording feature on this device, which offers you the ability to record up to 10 seconds of a voice message. This message is then delivered to your pet when it’s time for them to eat, motivating them even more to eat at the set times.
Pros
- Hides a display of the stored food
- Suitable for dogs or cats
- Disperses up to 10 portions per meal
Cons
- Previous customers complain that the device doesn’t disperse food past a few months use
Compared to the other products on this review, this PetSafe 5 Meal Pet Feeder for Dogs and Cats caught our attention because it’s overall design eliminates the risk of the food clogging and preventing more from coming out.
Instead of having food pour out in certain portions, this device’s construction features pre-filled proportions that can rotate in order to display the correct one after the lid is placed down.
Furthermore, we found that this product manages your cat’s weight more easily, since your cat doesn’t have the ability to overeat, and the device doesn’t rotate if your cat hasn’t eaten the food from before.
Lastly, this device features an easy-to-clean plastic material construction that’s BPA-free. And it’s also safe to wash in the dishwasher, which is convenient for ensuring safety.
Pros
- Controls the portion of your pet
- Eliminates the risk of food clogging
- Suitable for smaller to medium-sized animals
Cons
- Only fits up to 5 servings
We like the Belopezz auto feeder because it has the ability to stop dispersing food if your cat isn’t consuming the food that’s already in the food tray. This can prevent wasting food and ensures that your cat is consuming all that they’re supposed to.
Furthermore, this product comes equipped with a high quality ABS housing construction that offers anti-abrasion as well as environmentally-friendly properties. Like other products on this list, there’s an option for you to record a personalized voice message to inform your pet that it’s time to eat.
Pros
- Affordable
- Doesn’t disperse food when your pet’s not eating
- Suitable for dogs and cats
Cons
- Not suitable for larger dogs
We found that each of these automatic cat feeders delivers controlled proportions of cat food to your pet at set times throughout the day. You can trust each of them to provide your cat with the correct amount of food needed in order to maintain in good health. Since each of the products on this list offers features that are specific to each brand, you may find it difficult to choose the best products.
That being said, we most recommend that you purchase product #1: PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Cat Feeder. This product offers you the ability to fit up to 12 meals inside the storage container, all ranging in proportion from 1/8 cup to four cups. Not only that, but we also found this product to have easy-to-clean properties, and it even features a slow-feed option for smaller or slower-eating animals.
Buying Guide
Type of food
The cat food market is extremely diverse, making it difficult to find the best feeder that accommodates for the various different types of foods, like dry food and wet food of different consistency. Because of that, you’ll want to make sure that the cat feeder you have can deliver your cat’s favorite food properly.
You may also want to consider the different size of the kibbles. Not every cat feeder that you find on the market is able to efficiently disperse kibbles in all sizes, so make sure that your feeder can deliver the food without causing any clogs or dispersing too much.
How often you are home
Automatic cat feeders are most beneficial for the types of individuals that aren’t home often since they have the ability to feed your cat for you. That being said, keeping in mind how often you’re home is beneficial for choosing the best feeders. Some feeders are only able to disperse food a certain number of times per day, and some are restricted due to their storage capacity.
If you’re someone that’s purchasing an automatic cat feeder due to the fact that you’re not home often, then the feeder you choose should have larger storage capacity and have advanced settings that offer the ability to feed your cat at consistent times for longer period durations. Make sure you also set up a pet water fountain!
Number of pets
Make sure that you consider how many pets you have, since the number of cats that can eat from the same feeder may be limited due to the portion sizes dispersed by each device. If you have multiple cats to feed, then you may want to consider purchasing separate and individual products for each of your cats. Another solution is to use the Surefeed microchip feeder, which only opens for a particular cat.
Other than the number of cats that you have, it’s also important that you think about what other pets you have. Since the automatic cat feeder will be physically dispersing food every so often, it will essentially be making noises and possibly distracting the other animals in the house. Because of that, your pets may view the feeder as a toy and try to play with it.
If that’s the case, then you may want to put the feeder in a specific location that isn’t traveled often by the other pets. But it should still have the ability to catch your cat’s attention for feeding times.
Cat’s condition
As mentioned previously, the automatic feeder may conduct sounds that seem foreign to some pets, since it’s physically delivering food to your cat. That being said, some shy cats may develop a fear for the device and refrain from consuming food out of it, which can be problematic in the long run if your cat doesn’t receive the nutrients that they need.
A solution to this may be to find a feeder that delivers quiet noises since it’s less likely to startle your pet. Not only that, but it’s also beneficial if you find a feeder that disperses the food at certain times when your cat is taking a nap, rather than directly after the bowl is empty.
Setup
Finding a place to put an automatic cat feeder is important too since you’ll have to find a location that’s frequently traveled by your cat. But you don’t want to put it in the middle of the hallway or walkway, since these places are more traveled by you as well, and you risk tripping over the feeder device.
Because of that, find a place to set up the feeder that isn’t located in a busy area, but is also easy enough for your cat to access. You may find it beneficial to set up the feeder somewhere near the cat toys since your pets are clearly in these locations enough already.
Features to Consider Before Purchasing
Storage capacity
You should first consider how much food the cat feeder is able to store overall since you’ll be re-filling the compartment every so often as it disperses the food out daily. This is important because it will ultimately help you customize your feeder to fit your specific needs.
For instance, if you only want to fill the feeder one every so often, then you should find a cat feeder with a larger storage capacity. On the other hand, if you’re planning on coming home every night and want to fill the storage container with fresh food, then a feeder with a smaller storage capacity seems more sufficient.
In order to find the most applicable feeder, you may also want to consider how many cats will be eating from the device. Obviously the more cats you have, the more often the feeder will dispense food. So if several different cats are eating from the feeder, then you should find one with a large storage capacity.
Protection
Perhaps one of the most important things to Consider about an automatic cat feeder is the level of protection that it can provide for the food that’s stored in its container. You obviously don’t want a feeder that can easily break, allowing your cat to consume all of the food in its container.
That being said, make sure that the feeder device can securely store the food without risking the possibility of your cat either gaining access to the stored food or the container falling over and breaking upon impact.
Time settings
Most automatic feeders offer you the ability to change the settings so that the device disperses the cat food at certain times throughout the day. Because of that, you’ll want to find a feeder that can offer optimal personalization to alter the settings in a way that works best with your schedule.
The timed feature offered by automatic cat feeders is extremely beneficial because you can essentially feed your cat during the times that are recommended by their vet without requiring you to be home in order to feed them. This gives your cat the ability to grow healthy and naturally on their own with little effort from you.
Benefits of Auto Feeders
Healthy
Since automatic cat feeders are capable of dispersing proportioned food at set times every day, they can help your cat maintain a healthy weight. They don’t allow your cat the opportunity to overeat. Not only that, but some feeders don’t even let your pets under-eat either since they don’t refill the container unless it’s empty.
They also ensure a consistent eating schedule, which could otherwise have been problematized by you, since humans aren’t as consistent as machinery. These feeding devices guarantee our pets the same portion of food at the same time every day, creating a routine.
More free time for you
Having to fill your pet’s container on a consistent basis is a huge obligation, especially when their health depends on it. Having a feeder that automatically does this for you can free up the amount of time that you have, and it can even mean that you’re able to make more plans, sleep in or even relax more.
Conclusion
Overall, automatic cat feeders allow you to make sure that your cat is receiving the recommended amount of nutrients that they need by their vets. These devices offer the utmost convenience for you as well as your cat since you’re removed from the obligation of providing your cat with food on a consistent basis, and your cat is guaranteed to receive the correct potion of food at the right times of the day.
Given all of these benefits, you should consider buying an automatic cat feeder. But more importantly, we recommend that you purchase the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Cat Feeder from the market.
We are the Pet Cat Friends, a dedicated group of pet loving bloggers and product testers for all your meowy needs. We research, test, and review cat related products with the help of our collective 21 cats. Feel free to leave us feedback and treats!