Many things should be considered before you decide to become the proud new owner of a pet. Regardless of the species of your chosen pet, you will find that being a pet owner requires a good deal of responsibility, as you will have to look after another living being.
Pet ownership is not a responsibility which should be taken lightly. If you are looking to ensure that you provide the right home for an animal, you will have to be a quick learner and correct any mistakes in short order. Even once you have learned how to care for your pet, you will find that sometimes, life can get in the way.
What we mean by this is that circumstances can often be unpredictable, and you will find that you may sometimes be in a position where it will be hard for you to give your pet the care it needs. If you are particularly busy, you will find that a cat can be an excellent companion thanks to their strong, independent spirit.
Unlike dogs, which may require constant attention and affection, you will find that cats can mostly keep to themselves. This means that they will not be overly distraught if you are not at home too often, as long as they are adequately trained, of course. There are a few considerations to make before you leave your cat alone, however.
One of the things you will have to do is ensure that your cat has enough water to stay properly hydrated for the duration of time that you will be gone. Another thing to ensure is that your cat’s litter box is adequately clean, as litter may end up accumulating while you are away.
The final consideration that you will have to make is whether or not your cat has enough food to last until you are gone. This is arguably one of the more difficult things to do, as food will go stale rather quickly if you simply leave it in the bowl. This does not even account for cats who do not eat dry food, as wet food will rot quickly.
In this article, we are going to be looking for the best rated automatic cat feeder. An automatic cat feeder is a product which does exactly what the name suggests: it feeds your cat for you when you are indisposed. If you plan on being away for some time, you may want the best automatic cat feeder for long trips.
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Product Name | Our Rating | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
Best Automatic Cat Feeder For Dry Food | ||
Best Automatic Cat Feeder for Dry and Wet Food | ||
Best Automatic Pet Feeder for Dry and Semi-Moist Food | ||
Why You Should Choose Your Automatic Cat Feeder Carefully
If you are wondering why you may end up needing the best automatic cat feeder, vacation time is when you will need them most. An automatic cat feeder will be responsible for feeding your pet while you are away. It is for this reason that you will want to ensure that you can get the best automatic cat feeder.
If you purchase an automatic cat feeder which is unreliable, you may not be sure that it will function for the entire duration that you are gone. If this is the case, your cat may end up emaciated by the time you return since they will not have eaten, even if there was food in the malfunctioning feeder.
As with any product that you will entrust with the safety of your pets, your automatic cat feeder should feature reliable build quality. The product will also be in direct contact with your pet’s food, so you will want to ensure that suitable materials are used in its construction to ensure your pet’s safety.
On What To Pay Attention When Choosing Your Automatic Cat Feeder
Accepted Food Types
Cats can often be picky creatures, so you will want to ensure that you get the best automatic cat feeder for their needs. Different kinds of feeders will function using various types of foods, so you have a choice of model type when making your purchase. Some models will be able to accept several food types.
Three main varieties of food can be dispensed by these machines. The first food type is dry cat food, which is the easiest to store and distribute. Other devices will only be able to dispense semi-moist cat food. The last type of automatic cat feeder that you will come across will dispense wet cat food.
Number Of Cats
Before making your purchase, you should also account for the number of cats that you have in your home and how well they get along. If you have cats who are prone to fighting over food, you may find that an automatic cat feeder may not be the best ideal as they will likely get into a fight over it.
If your cats are on good terms with each other, you may wish to invest in multiple feeding machines or try to find the best automatic cat feeder for several cats. Some devices will be more accommodating of several pets, as they will allow you to select modes which are optimized for more than one cat.
Size Of Your Cat
You should also account for how large your cat is before you make your purchase, as some machines may not end up dispensing enough food for it to be adequately fed. The amount of food which is stored in an automatic cat feeder is determined by the size of the hopper, which contains food waiting to be dispensed.
A larger cat will also have difficulty fitting underneath a smaller automatic cat feeder to eat their meal, so you may have to opt for a model that is larger and provides sufficient clearance. Smaller cats will need to eat less and require less space, so you can save money by opting for a smaller model.
Your Cat’s Personality
Not every cat is the same, and some are pickier than others. You may find that your cat is not comfortable being around an automatic cat feeder, in which case you may have to find an alternative feeding method. This is not a very common concern, however.
One of the more critical parts of your cat's personality that you will have to account for is their preference for specific foods. We have already discussed how some automatic cat feeders can only contain a particular type of food, so you will want the model that works best with your cat's preferences.
Programmable Options
Most modern automatic cat feeders can be programmed so they can feed your cat more effectively. For example, some machines can be put on a schedule so you can choose the hours when your pet is fed. Other machines will let you select the amount of food that is dispensed per meal.
While older models will have a set number of meals that can be dispensed throughout a day, you will find that newer models can be a little more versatile. If you are looking for the best automatic cat feeder with timer, you will want it to feature a few options that can be programmed with ease.
Material
You should also consider the material that your new automatic cat feeder is made out of. Some materials are superior to others concerning durability. Since the best automatic cat feeders can end up being somewhat expensive, you will find that longevity and durability are things you will want to look for.
Two materials are commonly used in the making of automatic cat feeders. The first material is plastic, which has the advantage when it comes to cost and weight. On the other hand, stainless steel is much more resilient, but it can get rather expensive.
Pellet Size Of Your Pet’s Food
One other consideration to make is the size of the food that will be dispensed by the machine. Some cats may be uncomfortable eating larger pellets of food, so you will want a machine which dispenses the right food size. For example, a small cat will find it hard to eat food pellets that are larger than its mouth.
Smartphone Option
Another feature that is relatively new to automatic pet feeders is the option to control them through your phone. This option is usually reserved for the more expensive automatic cat feeder models, so you must be willing to spend a little more money. This feature allows you to feed your cat remotely even when you are not home.
Ease Of Use
The last aspect that you will want to consider before you go ahead and make your purchase of an automatic cat feeder is how easy it is for you to use. You will find that some automatic cat feeders are so tricky to use that you would be better off feeding the cat yourself instead of using them.
Ensuring that your product is easy to use will make it that much more enjoyable to employ in your home. Always opt for a product that will not give you headaches further down the line, and you can be sure that you have the best automatic cat feeder for the money.
Our Recommendations
Best Automatic Cat Feeder for Dry Food
Winner - WOpet SmartFeeder
Specifications:
- Features a programmable timer which allows you to feed your pet when you want
- Features a camera which will enable you to monitor your pet
- This machine comes with a smartphone app that allows you to use it remotely
- Works using a 2.4 GHz network to connect to your phone
- Can be used with a microSD card up to 32 GB in size
- Can be powered by either an AC adaptor or 3 D batteries which are not included
- Can dispense up to 10 24 ml portions of dry cat food
Overview
If you are looking for the most modern dry cat food dispenser, you will find few better options than this model from WOpet. This machine truly brings feeding your pet into the future thanks to the full range of options that it comes equipped with. This highly versatile product is also reasonably priced, at about 150 dollars.
You may be wondering why we have praised this product so highly, so we'll go over the features that stood out to us. One of the unique features that come included with this product is a camera which is positioned in the front of the feeder; this allows you to keep track of your pet while you are away.
We would say that the best part of this automatic pet feeder is how seamlessly it can be used with a smartphone. As long as this machine is connected to your home wireless network, you will be able to keep an eye on your pet with the camera, as well as select the serving times and sizes whenever needed.
While it is only compatible with dry food, this makes this machine much easier to clean out than competing products. We were also impressed by how easy this product is to set up when it is initially purchased, unlike some other models which are a hassle to connect to your home network.
- The minimum serving size for this model is two teaspoons
- Can be programmed to serve up to three meals per day
- Each meal can be sized individually so you can accommodate your pet’s needs
- Features a frequent feeding mode that is ideal for pets with health issues
- This model is powered by four C batteries which do not come included
- There is a low battery indicator on the display that informs you when they must be changed
- The maximum capacity of the food hopper is 6.6 pounds
Overview
If you are looking for the best rated and proof odor automatic cat feeder, you can do a lot worse than this model from Cat Mate. This is a model which is designed with simplicity and user-friendliness in mind. This is something which is easy to tell from the minute you pull it out of the box.
The controls consist of a few simple buttons that do exactly what they say they do, unlike other models, which force you to search through manuals to discover the meaning of symbols. Most models which are simple to use tend to give up functionality, but that is not the case with this product.
This automatic cat feeder features a max capacity of about six and a half pounds, which is enough to feed an average cat for about a month or slightly less. While you may not be leaving your cat in the home for a month straight, this helps diminish the amount of time you spend refilling the reservoir.
You can program this product to dispense up to three meals of varying sizes per day, depending on your pet's preferences, but there is another mode that overrides this behavior. This mode is called frequent feeding mode, and it is used for cats with special conditions that need to eat smaller meals more frequently.
- Can be used to dispense both wet and dry meals
- Can be connected to your home network and be used with a companion app
- Comes included with a webcam to keep track of your pet while you are away
- Features six compartments which are capable of holding up to eight ounces of food each
- Features a voice recorder and speakers so your pet can hear your voice when it’s feeding time
- Inner tray is dishwasher safe for easier cleaning
Overview
This product is, in our opinion, the best automatic cat feeder for owners who prefer versatility over other aspects. This product features a minimalistic design which looks at home in almost any kitchen. The sleek exterior also makes it easier to clean than products with nooks and crannies where food can get caught.
The inner tray is dishwasher safe, which further increases the ease of cleaning this product. You can even purchase a second tray from the maker to ensure that you will always have a feeding tray ready for use. This product is capable of serving six meals, treats, or even medicine tablets before needing to be refilled.
One of the unique features that come included with this product is the inclusion of a voice recorder and speakers. This allows you to record a custom message on the device that can be played with your pet is ready to be fed. This solves the issue of your pet not even knowing that dinner is served.
The inclusion of a webcam that can be accessed through the app ensures that you will always be able to keep an eye on your furry friend, even when you are away. If you want the best affordable automatic cat feeder which incorporates modern features, this product is your best choice.
- Features five feeding compartments that can hold up to 240 ml of food each
- Can be powered by either an AC cable or 4 C batteries which are not included
- This product features a low battery warning light
- This pet feeder allows you to record custom messages for your pet
- Features a standby mode in which the machine enters low power mode after 25 seconds
- Capable of delivering up to 4 meals per day at different times
Overview
While this may not be the best five-day automatic cat feeder, you will find that the Gempet feeder is an excellent option for owners who need something a little more short-term. If you are only going to be away during the daytime and you will be able to refill your feeder in the night, there are few better options.
Like the previous model, this product features rotating compartments that can each hold around 240 ml of food, either dry or wet. This allows you to serve your pet a good variety of food without having to worry about your dispenser getting clogged up or dealing with any other issues.
You have a choice of powering this model through an AC cable (usually for home use) or 4 C batteries, which will work better on the road. This kind of versatility ensures that this product is an excellent choice for any customer.
The battery warning light lets you know when the time has come to change out the batteries and the intuitive programming controls ensure that this product will not be too confusing. This model is also relatively to set up when you first bring it out of the box.
Best Automatic Pet Feeder for Dry and Semi-Moist Food
Winner - PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder
Specifications:
- Allows you to set up to twelve meals per day
- Features serving sizes ranging from ⅛ cup to 4 cups
- This model is compatible with both dry and semi-moist foods
- Features a slow feed mode to ensure your pet does not eat too fast
- Features an option to serve the next programmed meal immediately or pause the meal schedule
- Runs on 4 D batteries which are not included, or can be used with a power cable which is not included
Overview
If you want the best automatic cat feeder which is capable of serving a range of foods but is not in the rotating drum style, this is your best option.
This model from PetSafe ensures that you will be able to serve anything except for purely wet food thanks to its patented conveyor system which resists jamming. The inclusion of a slow feed mode ensures that your cat will not eat larger meals too fast and end up vomiting.
Many control options allow you to refine your pet's eating experience, such as an option to serve the next meal immediately if your pet is getting hungry. Another one of these settings allows you to suspend the operation of your pet feeder without losing the programmed schedule.
There is a wide range of serving sizes which vary all the way from ⅛ cup to 4 cups, which ensures that even the biggest of cats will eat a sufficient meal. If you are looking for the best possible cat feeder, you will not find many more attractive options.
