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If you have a busy schedule or travel frequently, you might worry about feeding your cat on time. Fortunately, there are automatic cat feeders that can dispense food for your feline friend at preset intervals, ensuring they get their meals regularly and consistently. Automatic cat feeders can also help with portion control, preventing overfeeding or underfeeding your cat.
But how do you choose the best automatic cat feeder for your needs? There are many factors to consider, such as the type of food, the capacity, the programming options, the reliability, the ease of use, and the price. To help you make an informed decision, we have reviewed some of the most popular and highly rated automatic cat feeders on the market, based on our own testing and online research. Here are our top picks, along with their pros and cons.
Whisker Feeder-Robot
Price: $249
Pros:
- WiFi-enabled and compatible with a useful app that allows you to set and track multiple feedings per day, adjust portions, monitor food levels, and receive notifications
- Has a 24-hour backup battery in case of power outage
- Has a chew-resistant power cable
- Has robust settings that let you customize the feeding schedule, portion size, slow feed mode, pause mode, manual feed mode, and more
- Has an easy to use interface with a touchscreen panel and voice prompts
- Has a large hopper that can hold up to 25 cups of dry food
- Has a self-learning algorithm that adapts to your cat’s feeding habits and dispenses accurate portions
- Has a locking lid and a food agitator that prevent food theft or jamming
- Has a dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowl and a removable hopper for easy cleaning
- Has a sleek and futuristic design
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not compatible with wet or semi-moist food
- Not dishwasher-safe except for the bowl
- Plastic serving bowl instead of metal or glass
- Takes up a lot of space
Petlibro Granary Automatic Two-Cat Feeder With Camera
Price: $149.99
Pros:
- WiFi-enabled and compatible with an app that allows you to set up to 10 feedings per day, adjust portions, monitor food levels, and receive notifications
- Has a built-in camera that lets you see and talk to your cats via the app
- Has a dual power supply system that switches to batteries in case of power outage
- Has a large hopper that can hold up to 25 cups of dry food
- Has a locking lid and a food agitator that prevent food theft or jamming
- Has a detachable feeding tray and hopper for easy cleaning
- Has an elegant and modern design
Cons:
- Not compatible with wet or semi-moist food
- The camera quality is not very high
- The app may have some bugs or glitches
- The voice recording feature may not work well
Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder
Price: $47.95
Pros:
- Compatible with both dry and wet food
- Has five compartments that can each hold up to 11.5 ounces of food
- Has a rotating lid that exposes one compartment at a time according to the preset timer
- Has an LCD screen and buttons that let you program up to four feedings per day
- Has two ice packs under the tray that keep the food fresh for longer
- Battery-operated and does not require a power outlet
- Has a tamper-resistant lid that prevents food theft
- Dishwasher-safe except for the battery compartment
Cons:
- Not WiFi-enabled or compatible with an app
- Limited capacity and requires frequent refills
- Not very accurate or consistent with the timing or portions
- The ice packs may not last long enough for wet food
PetSafe Smart Feed Electronic Pet Feeder
Price: $129.95
Pros:
- WiFi-enabled and compatible with an app that allows you to set up to 12 feedings per day, adjust portions, monitor food levels, and receive notifications
- Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control
- Has a dual power supply system that switches to batteries in case of power outage
- Has a large hopper that can hold up to 24 cups of dry or semi-moist food
- Has a locking lid and a conveyor belt system that prevent food theft or jamming
- Has a slow feed mode that dispenses food over 15 minutes to prevent gulping or vomiting
- Has a dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowl and a removable hopper for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Not compatible with wet food
- The app may have some bugs or glitches
- The portion sizes may not be very accurate or consistent
- The hopper lid may not be very secure
Wopet Automatic Pet Feeder
Price: $89.95
Pros:
- WiFi-enabled and compatible with an app that allows you to set up to 15 feedings per day, adjust portions, monitor food levels, and receive notifications
- Has a built-in camera and microphone that let you see and talk to your cats via the app
- Has a dual power supply system that switches to batteries in case of power outage
- Has a large hopper that can hold up to 20 cups of dry food
- Has a locking lid and a food agitator that prevent food theft or jamming
- Has a detachable feeding tray for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Not compatible with wet or semi-moist food
- The camera quality is not very high
- The app may have some bugs or glitches
- The voice recording feature may not work well
Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder
Price: $59.99
Pros:
- Compatible with dry food only
- Has an LCD screen and buttons that let you program up to three feedings per day, adjust portions, and set a snack mode
- Has a large hopper that can hold up to 26 cups of dry food
- Has a locking lid and a food agitator that prevent food theft or jamming
- Battery-operated and does not require a power outlet
- Has a dishwasher-safe bowl and a removable hopper for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Not WiFi-enabled or compatible with an app
- Not compatible with wet or semi-moist food
- The portion sizes may not be very accurate or consistent
- The batteries may not last long
Conclusion
Automatic cat feeders can be a great solution for busy pet owners who want to ensure their cats get their meals on time and in the right amount. However, not all automatic cat feeders are created equal. Depending on your preferences, budget, and cat’s needs, you may want to consider different features and factors when choosing an automatic cat feeder.
Our top pick for the best automatic cat feeder is the Whisker Feeder-Robot, which offers the most advanced technology, functionality, reliability, and customization options. However, it is also the most expensive option and may not suit everyone’s needs or budget. If you are looking for a more affordable option that can also handle wet food, you may want to check out the Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder, which has a simple but effective rotating design and ice packs to keep the food fresh. If you want to interact with your cats remotely and see them on camera, you may like the Petlibro Granary Automatic Two-Cat Feeder With Camera, which has a built-in camera and microphone that let you communicate with your cats via an app.
Some other options that we recommend are the PetSafe Smart Feed Electronic Pet Feeder, which works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control; the Wopet Automatic Pet Feeder, which has a large hopper capacity and a slow feed mode; and the Cat Mate C3000 Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder, which is battery-operated and has a snack mode.
Ultimately, the best automatic cat feeder for you and your cat depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. We hope this article has helped you narrow down your choices and find the best automatic cat feeder for your furry friend.