Best automatic cat feeders for single and multi-pet homes

Every cat parent knows that regular and consistent feeding habits can help your kitty (or kitties) to stay healthy and free from food-related issues. However, one of the major causalities of the always-on-the-run lives is maintaining a timely schedule for feeding your pet. One way to overcome this is to get an automatic cat feeder, or timer cat feeder as it is often called.

So, which are the best automatic cat feeders available in the market? What the different types of these feeders, and which one would be best for my needs?

In this article, we will look at answering exactly the above questions and list some of the best automatic cat feeders available in the market. Our primary focus would be on two categories of feeders – gravity feeders and electronic feeders.

In electronic feeders, we will look at both timer-based and smart electronic feeders. We will even list a recommendation for the microchip-based selective pet feeder. Most of the options we list would work well for all cats and most dogs too!

We will also discuss some of the major factors to keep in mind before picking the best automatic cat feeder for your needs and share our top picks. Read On!

Do not forget to check out our article on the best cat water fountains for some automatic water dispensers to keep your cat hydrated at all times.

Best automatic cat feeders list

Picture	Product	Specifications
	Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder	Microchip/RFID-based selective pet feeder. Capacity: 13.5 fl. oz. Dry or wet food.	Check Price Chewy Price
	PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Pet Feeder	Automatic electronic pet feeder. Capacity: 12.0 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price Chewy Price
	Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder	Tray-type electronic pet feeder. Capacity: 3.6 lbs. Dry or wet food.	Check Price Chewy Price
	WOPET SmartFeeder Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder	Smart electronic pet feeder with a camera. Capacity: 5.0 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price
	PetSafe Healthy Pet Gravity Pet Food Station	Gravity-based automatic cat feeder. Small: 2.0 lbs. Medium: 4.0 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price Chewy Price
	Petmate Pet Café Feeder	Gravity-based automatic cat feeder. Small: 3.0 lbs. Medium: 6.0 lbs. Large: 12.0 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price Chewy Price
	PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder	Smart electronic pet feeder without the camera. Capacity: 12.0 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price Chewy Price
	Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder	Automatic electronic pet feeder. Capacity: 1.5 - 1.75 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price
	HoneyGuaridan Automatic Pet Feeder	Automatic electronic pet feeder. Capacity: 3.25 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price
	WestLink Automatic Pet Feeder	Automatic electronic pet feeder. Capacity: 13.2 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price
	Iseebiz Automatic Cat Feeder	Automatic electronic pet feeder. Capacity: 6.5 lbs. Dry food.	Check Price
	iPettie Donut Automatic Pet Feeder	Tray-type electronic pet feeder. Capacity: 3.6 lbs. Dry or wet food.	Check Price

What are automatic cat feeders, and how can they be useful?

Automatic cat feeders, or timed feeders as they are often called, are smartly-designed feeding dispensers that have a mechanism to provide consistent feeding portions to the pet freely or at fixed times without the need for human intervention.

A typical automatic feeder consists of an airtight container (called the hopper) or tray that can be pre-filled with dry, moist, or wet food or kibble (depending upon the type of feeder) and dispensed in a feeding bowl, either by gravity or through a motor.

Automatic pet feeders offer an effective way to feed your pet even if you are not around at the time of feeding. They also help in managing some major health issues such as diabetes and obesity. Moreover, some smart automatic feeders even provide a camera to connect with your pet while feeding.

The simplest automatic feeders rely on the basic principles of gravity to manage the portion sizes. In contrast, electronic and smart automatic feeders use timers (hence the name timed/timer cat feeders) and internet-based mobile apps to manage the feeding time and portion sizes. These categories are discussed in more detail below.

Gravity-Based Automatic Cat Feeders

As the name suggests, gravity automatic feeders rely on gravity to dispense the right size of food to your pet. They have a simple design, with the food flowing off the chute to the bowl whenever the pet feeds on the content of the bowl. When the bowl is full, the flowing tube is blocked, and no further food is dispensed.

Since gravity-based feeders do not have a time-release feature, such feeders only offer free-feeding to the pets. Moreover, they can only support dry kibble.

Gravity automatic feeders have the following significant advantages and disadvantages:

Electronic Automatic Cat Feeders (Timed Automatic Cat Feeders)

Electronic automatic feeders rely on electronic circuitry to manage dispensation of fixed size portions of food at scheduled times. Electronic feeders generally have an LCD screen through which you can set up or program the feeding times and sizes.

Electronic automatic feeders can be further classified into three broad categories – timed electronic pet feeders, smart electronic pet feeders, and selective pet feeders.

Standard timed automatic cat feeders rely on a digital or electronic timer to dispense the chow. The hopper-based feeders can only support dry and crunchy kibble, while tray-type feeders can also be used for wet cat food.

On the other hand, smart electronic feeders even use smart technologies such as Mobile apps to manage the feeding time for your dog or cat. Some high-end electronic feeders even have a webcam to record your pet’s activities while around the feeder. Many popular electronic feeders also provide a microphone to record your voice and play it as pet-call during feeding time.

Finally, selective pet feeders are specially-designed pet food dispensers designed to provide food/meal access to a specific pet (or size of pet) while keeping the other chow away from other pets. Such feeders rely on the pet microchip or RFID tag for identifying the allowed pet. They are most suitable for multi-pet homes. You can check our article on the selective pet feeders for some more information.

Electronic feeders have the following major benefits and drawbacks.

In the next sections, we will list our picks for the best automatic cat feeders and their key features.

Which are the best automatic cat feeders?

Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder – Best automatic cat feeder for multi-pet homes

Buy It on Chewy

Type: Automatic selective pet feeder to feed specific pets – cats or dogs. Works for both dry and wet food. No portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: ABS plastic body and transparent lid with BPA-free ABS plastic/stainless-steel feeding bowl.
• Size: 12.62″ x 9.0″ x 7.88″, 4.6 lbs. feeder; 8.25″ x 6.12″ hood, 4.1″ x 1.2″ x 6.3″ feeding bowl; 1.0″ x 1.0″; 0.07 oz. tag.
• Capacity: A single/split 13.5 fl. oz. food bowl (2.25 cups).

Price: $$$.
Features:

• Award-winning and best-selling selective pet feeder that supports both standard microchips and RFID tags. Designed in the United Kingdom and made in China under the manufacturer’s quality control measures.
• Features a BPA-free, ABS plastic body and feeding bowls with an access hood and polycarbonate access control door. The unique hood-design prevents accidental access door closure due to pet movement.
• Smart access control design that works for both existing pet microchips as well as RFID tags.
• When the authorized pet comes in the range of sensors, the Infrared technology identifies the microchip/tag and opens the food bowl lid. Also supports an intruder mode that closes the lid if an unregistered pet comes nearby.
• Designed to work with 4, C-type batteries that can last for 6 months to a year. Tags have internal batteries that can last for 1-2 years.
• Comes with a single portion and a split portion bowl (for dry and wet food), a matching color silicone mat, and one RFID collar tag. Accessories and additional tags are sold separately. Other fashionable colors are available directly from the manufacturer.
• Backed by a best-in-class 3-year manufacturer warranty and dedicated customer service support.

Detail Review:

The award-winning and best-selling Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is probably the best smart cat food dispenser in the market right now and hence our favorite. The latest model is the MPF001, which has gone through some excellent improvements over previous models.

The SureFeed Microchip pet feeder comes as an all-inclusive bundle that contains the main unit, two feeding bowls – one full bowl and one split bowl, one RFID tag, and a silicone feeding station mat.

The product is designed in Cambridge, UK, and manufactured in China under strict quality control restrictions. All the components are high-quality and pet-safe.

The SureFeed pet feeder has overall dimensions of 12.62″ x 9″ x 7.88″ and would work for all pets who can fit in the 8.25″ x 6.12″ hood – all cat breeds and small to medium dogs. The feeder is powered by 4 C-type batteries, which can last from 6 months to 1 year.

The best part of the Sure Petcare SureFeed pet feeder is its smart selective feeding system. The feeder works with all standard pet microchips around the world – it supports the 9 (Avid Secure), 10 (FDXA), and 15 (FDXB) digit microchip numbers. And if you so wish, you can use the RFID collar tags instead, which provide a little better sensitivity and control.

As the pet approached the feeder, the sensors recognize the pet, and if it is authorized, the flap door on the bowl is opened. The food bowl supports both wet and dry food. The feeder also supports an intruder mode, in which the lid is closed if an unregistered pet comes nearby. The lid time delay can be adjusted to three settings – a big plus over other selective pet feeders.

A single feeder can store up to 32-tags in its memory. You can always remove or add a tag in the feeder’s memory.

Like other Sure Petcare products, the Sure Petcare SureFeed Pet Feeder is backed by a best-in-class three-year manufacturer warranty and a dedicated customer service support. It is available in standard grey color, though additional colors are also available directly from the manufacturer.

With respect to the limitations, the major limitation of the SureFeed feeder is that it does not provide portion control and does not have a timer. This means that there is no way to control the portion size for an authorized pet. Secondly, it is powered only by batteries, and there is no AC adapter support.

Finally, if you have a persistent pet, he/she can steal food from the rear of the feeder. To prevent this, you will have to buy the SureFeed Feeder Rear Cover as an accessory – it would have been nice to have this accessory included.

Despite these minor limitations, it is still the best microchip/tag-based smart selective pet feeder in the market.

UPDATE: If you would like precise monitoring of your pet’s diet, then check out the Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect feeder. This feeder accurately records how much your furry friend eats every day and is capable of precisely measuring up to two different types of food. It is also available with the WiFi hub.

PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Pet Feeder – Best automatic cat feeder

Buy It on Chewy

Type: Automatic electronic pet feeder with hopper. Works for both dry and semi-moist food. Full portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: Translucent ABS plastic body and lid with stainless-steel feeding bowl.
• Size: 18.5″ x 8.7″ x 12.4″, 4.61 lbs.
• Capacity: 12 lbs. (24 cups) total capacity. The bowl holds 5 cups of food.

Price: $$.
Features:

• Best-selling automatic dog feeder, which can be programmed to deliver 12 meals per day in different feeding modes. Made in China for the US-based company.
• Features a durable, food-grade BPA-free plastic hopper and a stainless-steel feeding bowl big enough to feed two pets. Translucent lid and hopper provide a view of the food levels.
• The meal size can be programmed from 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal, so suitable for all cats and small and medium dog breeds. Offers multiple feeding modes, including a slow-feeding mode and immediate feeding mode.
• Equipped with an improved anti-jam conveyor that can dispense both dry and semi-moist foods without clogging – one of the best anti-jam features among electronic pet feeders.
• Easy to clean. The lid, hopper, stainless steel bowl, and bowl holder are dishwasher-safe in top-shelf.
• Works with 4 D-batteries and can also support DC power through an optional power adapter, sold separately. Both power sources can be used in conjunction with the outlet power being the primary source.
• Backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects and a dedicated customer support service. PetSafe offers a bunch of additional automatic pet feeders, including the tray-type PetSafe 2 or 5 meal feeder.

Detail Review:

With the kind of electronics involved, finding a reliable automatic feeder may pose a challenge. Not Really! The PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Feeder is undoubtedly the best automatic feeder in the market across all the categories.

This automatic pet feeder has a sturdy and relatively-sleek design with an ABS plastic hopper and a separate stainless steel bowl that can hold up to 4-5 cups of food. The bowl is dishwasher-safe, while the conveyor system is hand-washable. The feeder is made in China under the US-based company’s quality control measures.

Since the bowl is not attached to the feeder, you also have the option to use your pet’s everyday feeding bowl or a separate ceramic feeding bowl.

The feeder is designed in a way that it is completely airtight, and you would not need to worry about ants and critters getting into the hopper. The lid and hopper are translucent to quickly view food level, while still keeping a greedy pet at bay.

The PetSafe Healthy Pet Feeder has an ultra-quiet dispenser motor. It boasts of the best-in-class anti-jamming system that has gone through multiple updates to make it almost perfect. That means you can expect a problem-free feeding with most types of dry and semi-moist kibbles. It works best with dry and semi-moist pet kibbles that are up to 0.75-inches in diameter.

Moreover, the feeder offers maximum flexibility in terms of the number of meals, portion sizes, and feeding modes. The feeder is equipped with a digital LCD-screen with 5-button navigation for easy programming. (We recommend you check the instruction manual in case of any challenges in setting up the feeder – The first 3-4 feedings will be empty as the conveyor belt fills each slot with food inside the feeder).

The feeder has the standard feeding mode that dispenses the food at a preset time. There are two additional feeding modes for special situations – the immediate feed mode dispenses the next set meal instantly, while the pause feed mode temporarily stops feeding without losing the programmed feeding schedule. The feeder even has a slow-feeding mode for your fast-feeding pet – you can schedule meals that are larger than 1/8 cup to slowly dispense over a 15-minute cycle.

And that is not all! If you are looking for an automatic cat feeder for multiple cats, you can get a two-way splitter adapter or a three-way splitter adapter for the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder. The splitter adapter can conveniently split the automatic feed across two feeding bowls. No more competitive feeding and fighting among multiple cats anymore!

The PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Feeder can run on 4 D-cell batteries or an optional power adapter. This would probably be your only complaint. You need to purchase the adapter separately or through a combo that is about 12 USD costlier. Still, it is a small price to pay for such reliability.

Both power sources can be used in conjunction. If the power adapter is connected, it is the primary power source. The batteries last an average of one year, so you do not have to change them frequently.

The PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Feeder is backed by a one-year warranty and a dedicated customer support service.

PetSafe brand has been a trusted global leader in pet behavior, containment, and lifestyle innovations for over 30 years. You can also consider additional PetSafe automatic pet feeders if the Healthy Pet feeder is too big or too costly for your needs, including the tray-type PetSafe 2 or 5 meal feeder.

Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder – Best automatic cat feeder for wet food

Buy It on Chewy

Type: Automatic tray-type pet feeder. Works for dry and wet food. Portion control per tray.
Specifications:

• Material: Hard ABS plastic body with 6 BPA, BPS, and Phthalate-free plastic feeding trays and rubberized anti-slip mats.
• Size: 12.2″ x 11.9″ x 3.7″ inches, 0.93 lbs.
• Capacity: 3.6 lbs. total capacity distributed across 5 bowls.

Price: $.
Features:

• Best-selling tray-type automatic cat feeder designed to work with wet or dry food, as well as in-between medications. Made in China for the UK-based Ani Mate company – the owner of the world-famous Cat Mate, Dog Mate, and Fish Mate brands.
• Features a dishwasher-friendly, BPA-free ABS-plastic body and tamper-proof design. Also features 5 separate BPA-free plastic food trays for storing about 11.5 ounces (1.5 cups) of food at one time. The trays are also removable, easy-to-clean, and dishwasher-safe.
• Comes with twin cooling ice packs to keep the wet food fresh for over 3-6 hours. Also has a close-fitting cover to keep the feed fresh and safe from ants and crawlers.
• Easy to program with a user-friendly LCD display and digital timer – one initial feed and four further timed-feeds when you are away. However, does not have a separate food alarm.
• Powered by 3-AA batteries that can last for a year. Equipped with a battery status indicator to alert when it is time to change the batteries.
• Comes with the feeder and two cooling ice packs. Backed by the best-in-class three-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
• The manufacturer also offers a 3-meal Cat Mate C300 and a 2-meal Cat Mate C20 feeder.

Detail Review:

If you are looking for an automatic pet feeder to schedule both dry and wet food for your kitty, then the best-selling Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder is a perfect choice for you. It is marketed by the UK-based Ani Mate Pet Products – the owners of the Cat Mate, Dog Mate, and Fish Mate brands. The Cat Mate C500 is one of their most popular products, and there is a good reason for that.

The Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder features a high-quality, BPA, BPS, and Phthalate-free ABS plastic body with 5 individual ABS plastic food trays. Each tray can store up to 11.5 ounces of wet food – enough for up to two cats. The feeding trays are removable and dishwasher-safe. The feeder is made in China under strict quality control measures and global standards.

The feeder has a best-in-class tamper-proof design – pet owners after owners have reported about the futile attempts by their pets to move the feeding trays without success – a big plus indeed.

The Cat Mate C500 comes with twin cooling ice packs that can keep the wet food fresher for over 3-6 additional hours. And it also has a close-fitting cover to keep the feed fresh and safe from ants and crawlers.

The C500 feeder offers a precise digital timer-based feeding control through a user-friendly LCD display. You can schedule one initial feed and four further timed-feeds when you are away.

The feeder, however, does not have a separate food alarm for the feeding calls, though the motor is loud enough to alert the pet. And since the feeding dial only moves gently at the scheduled time, there is plenty of time for the pet to chow on the meal.

The Cat Mate feeder is powered by 3-AA batteries (not included) that can last for about a year. The feeder is equipped with a battery status indicator to alert you when necessary. Hence, you need not worry about the feeder failing in your absence.

The Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder comes with the feeder and two ice-packs. Replacement ice packs are sold separately. And if you are looking for a cheaper automatic feeder, you can also check out the three-meal Cat Mate C300 and the two-meal Cat Mate C20 feeders.

Like other Cat Mate feeders, the Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder is backed by a three-year warranty against defects – a testament to the superior quality of this product.

For its excellent tamper-proof design and precise scheduling, the Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder is our Editor’s pick for the best automatic cat feeder for wet food. This versatile feeder is a perfect automatic feeder to dispense meals, medications, and treats to your kitty.

WOPET SmartFeeder Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder – Best smart automatic cat feeder

Type: Smart automatic electronic pet feeder with smart app control and camera. Works for dry or lightly-moist food. Full portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: Opaque, BPA-free hard plastic body, and lid with retractable plastic feeding trays.
• Size: 13.7″ x 9.8″ x 15.3″, 6.4 lbs.
• Capacity: 5.0 lbs. total capacity.
• Camera: 720P HD, 120-degree wide-angle lens.

Price: $$$.
Features:

• Popular, smart automatic pet feeder with HD camera and smart app support. Food-grade BPA-free plastic construction. Made in China under strict quality control measures.
• Features full portion-control with an easy-to-program LCD display. Allows setting up 6 meals per day with a portion size of 1 to 39 (each portion is around 0.4 ounces), dispensed in the attached feeding tray.
• Available with two food dispensing trays – small and large based on the size of the food to dispense out. Supports food pellets between 0.2″-0.6″ in size.
• Allows full WiFi control (2.4 MHz only) on the smartphone with the smart feed app (iOS 7.5+ or Android 4.0+). Also equipped with an HD camera with video and voice recording for live monitoring.
• Powered by 3 D-batteries (not included) and can also support direct power through a USB-port power adapter (included). Both power sources can be used in conjunction with the outlet power being the primary source.
• Comes in standard white color. Backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects and a dedicated customer support service.
• Costlier than standard electronic pet feeders, but value-for-money among smart pet feeders with the camera. The manufacturer also offers a bunch of variants, including the WOPet Smart Feeder without the camera.

Detail Review:

The emergence of connected technologies has revolutionized almost all aspects of our life, and automatic pet feeding has not been untouched. The past couple of years have seen the emergence of a bunch of smart feeders that use WiFi-connected applications to manage automatic feeding of the cats.

However, because of the relatively nascent stage of development, finding the best smart electronic feeder can be a challenge. Not with the latest WOPet SmartFeeder Automatic Feeder!

The WOPet Smart Feeder is an accurate electronic automatic feeder for your pet, which provides reliable feeding control through a 2.45 MHz WiFi connection and a supported smart app. The WOPet app works on both Android and iOS platforms and provides an easy way to control food dispensing. The smart app does not have the best interface, but it is still reasonably simple to use.

The feeder and feeding trays are made of BPA, BPS, and Phthalate-free ABS plastic. The feeder is manufactured in China under strict quality control measures.

The feeder allows setting up 6 meals per day with a portion size of 1 to 39 (each portion is around 0.4 ounces), dispensed in the attached feeding tray. The feeder comes with two food dispensing trays – small and large based on the size of the food to dispense out. The trays support food pellets between 0.2″- 0.6″ in size.

Because of the mid-range 5 lbs. capacity and 1-1.5 cup portion size, this feeder is most suitable for all cats and only small and medium dog breeds. In case of a lost connection, the feeder is designed to follow the offline feeding regimen.

The feeder works with both DC power (USB-adapter included) and 3 D-cell batteries, and both the power supplies can be used in conjunction with the USB-adapter power supply being the primary.

The WOPet Smart Feeder also has a 720P HD camera with a 120-degree viewing angle. It also has recording and real-time relaying capability allowing you to interact with your pet in real-time while feeding. And the best part is that you can choose different food-call recordings for each individual feeding time, or use the same recording for all feedings. This feature allows you to use the feeder for multiple pets having different feeding schedules.

The WOPet smart feeder comes in standard white color and is backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects and a dedicated customer support service.

It is slightly costlier than standard electronic pet feeders, but truly value-for-money among smart pet feeders with a camera. The manufacturer also offers a bunch of variants, including the WOPet Smart Feeder without the camera.

PetSafe Healthy Pet Gravity Pet Food Station

Buy It on Chewy

Type: Gravity-based automatic pet feeder with hopper. Works for dry and lightly-moist food. No portion control or power connection.
Specifications:

• Material: ABS plastic body and transparent lid with BPA-free ABS plastic/stainless-steel feeding bowl.
• Size & Capacity:
  • Small: 9.8″ x 6.5″ x 10.5″, 1.0 lbs. weight. 2.0 lbs. capacity.
  • Medium: 14.0″ x 7.0″ x 11.0″, 1.55 lbs. weight. 4.0 lbs. capacity.

Price: $.
Features:

• A uniquely-designed, gravity-based pet feeder with a food-grade plastic water container and removable stainless steel bowl. Made in China.
• Features a durable, translucent hopper with an airtight locking mechanism for safe kibble storage and easy transportation.
• Easy to clean. The stainless-steel feeding bowl, lid, and hopper are dishwasher-safe.
• Because of the gravity-based operation, the kibble can sometimes get stuck in the chute. To avoid this, shake the hopper lightly or place a small support on the back to tilt the feeder a little.
• The slim design is compact and looks great. A matching water station with a water filter is also available.
• Available in two sizes – Medium (4 lbs.) and Small (2 lbs.) and backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

Petmate Pet Café Feeder

Buy It on Chewy

Type: Gravity-based automatic pet feeder with hopper. Works for dry and lightly-moist food. No portion control or power connection.
Specifications:

• Material: BPA, BPS and Phthalate-free PET plastic hopper and bowl.
• Size & Capacity:
  • Small: 10.4″ X 6.8″ X 9.68″, 0.76 lbs. weight. 3.0 lbs. capacity.
  • Medium: 12.9″ X 8.6″ X 10.96″, 1.14 lbs. weight. 6.0 lbs. capacity.
  • Large: 16.2″ X 10.7″ X 15.0″, 1.79 lbs. weight. 12 lbs. capacity.

Price: $.
Features:

• Another popular gravity-based auto pet feeder with a high-quality BPA, BPS and Phthalate-free PET plastic hopper and bowl. Made in the US.
• Comes with a transparent hopper that has an extra-wide mouth airtight lid for easy refilling and cleaning.
• The elevated feeding station provides a convenient feeding space to the pet without any unstable movements.
• Lightweight for the size and equipped with recessed handles for easy movement around the house.
• Not dishwasher-safe. Recommend using a bottle brush and warm soapy water to clean.
• Like other gravity feeders, may clog for some kibble shapes. Best suited for round kibbles.
• Available in five color combinations and three sizes, suitable for small, medium and large dog breeds and all cats.
• Backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. The manufacturer also offers a popular Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer for hydration.

PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder

Buy It on Chewy

Type: Smart automatic electronic pet feeder with smart app control but no camera. Works for dry or lightly-moist food. Full portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: Opaque, BPA-free hard plastic body, and lid with a removable stainless-steel feeding bowl.
• Size: 20.3″ x 9.4″ x 12.6″, 5.65 lbs.
• Capacity: 12.0 lbs. total capacity. Bowl can hold up to 4 cups (32 oz.) of food.

Price: $$$.
Features:

• The Smart counter-part of the best-selling PetSafe Healthy Pet Feeder. Features a similar food-grade, durable BPA-free plastic hopper, and a stainless-steel feeding bowl big enough to feed two pets. Made in China for the US-based company.
• The meal size can be programmed from 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal, so suitable for all cats and small and medium dog breeds. Offers multiple feeding modes, including a slow-feeding mode and immediate feeding mode. Allows scheduling a maximum of 12 meals per day.
• Equipped with an improved anti-jam conveyor that can dispense both dry and semi-moist foods without clogging.
• Allows full WiFi control on the smartphone with the smart feed app (iOS 9+ or Android 6.0). However, does not have a camera for live monitoring.
• Powered by 4 D-batteries and can also support DC power through an optional power adapter, sold separately. Both power sources can be used in conjunction with the outlet power being the primary source.
• Easy to clean. The lid, hopper, stainless steel bowl, and bowl holder are dishwasher-safe in the top-shelf.
• Available in elegant blue color and two models – the original and the slightly-costlier second-generation feeder with Automatic Amazon Dash replenishment.
• Backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects and a dedicated customer support service.

Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder

Type: Automatic pet feeder with a low-capacity hopper and analog timer. Works for both dry and semi-moist food. Full portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: Opaque, BPA-free hard plastic body and lid with BPA, BPS and Phthalate-free plastic feeding bowl.
• Size: 10.0″ x 11.0″ x 15.0″, 5.5 lbs.
• Capacity: 1.5 – 1.75 lbs. total capacity. Extendable by attaching storage blocks.

Price: $$$.
Features:

• Simple yet versatile and dependable automatic pet feeder with an analog timer. Patented tamper-proof design made in the US for over 23 years.
• Features a heavy-duty, BPA-free ABS plastic body and hopper and a weatherproof analog timer. The rubber seal around the food container keeps the food fresh for longer.
• The basic feeder container holds about 1.5 lbs. or 5 cups of food. A 2-cup capacity extender is also included as a bonus. The dishwasher-safe food bowl locks in the dispenser and can be removed.
• Offers adjustable feeding from a very few kibbles to multiple cups up to 48 times per day. Provides an overall portion accuracy of +/- 0.1 to 0.2 ounces and supports kibbles up to 0.5″-0.6″ in diameter.
• Powered by a coaxial plug-to-wire adapter (included). Can also be used with an external timer, home automation system, and/or a web-based system (not included).
• Requires basic installation (or mounting – hardware included) with the included screwdriver.
• Premium-priced and costlier than most other feeders with the same capacity but built-to-last. Backed by a one-year warranty and dedicated customer support service.

HoneyGuaridan Automatic Pet Feeder

Type: Automatic electronic pet feeder with hopper. Works for both dry and semi-moist food. Full portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: Opaque, BPA-free hard plastic body, and lid with a removable stainless-steel feeding bowl.
• Size: 11.4″ x 7.1″ x 16.9″, 5.3 lbs.
• Capacity: 3.25 lbs. total capacity. Bowl can hold up to 3 cups (24 oz.) of food.

Price: $$.
Features:

• Elegant and efficient automatic pet feeder with an opaque, BPA-free ABS plastic hopper and hygienic stainless-steel feeding bowl. Made in China using GMP (Good Manufacturing Processes) techniques.
• Features full portion-control with an easy-to-program blue-LCD display and tamper-proof buttons. Allows configuring up to 6 meals per day with a portion size of 1 to 80 (each portion is around 0.28 ounces or 1/16 cup), dispensed in the attached feeding bowl.
• The hopper can store up to 13 cups for dry food while the food bowl holds up 3 cups. Works best with kibble up to 0.4″-0.6″ in diameter.
• Also provides the ability to create a 10-second meal-call voice recording that can be enabled or disabled as required. The feeder has a low-food alarm to alert through a blue light.
• Equipped with a built-in infrared food-locking mechanism to prevent food blockage and also prevent food dispensing if there is kibble left in the feeding tray.
• Powered by a power outlet through the power adapter (included) or 4 D-type batteries (not included). Both power modes can be used in conjunction, and the feeder automatically switches to battery power if the regular supply disrupts without losing the programming.
• Easy to clean by wiping with a clean, damp wash-cloth, and dry the unit with a dry towel. The stainless-steel bowl is removable and dishwasher safe in top-shelf. The food container is also removable for cleaning with running water.
• Backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. A two-way splitter is also available for two-pet homes.
• The manufacturer also offers a larger-capacity HomeGuaridan A68 automatic feeder with a semi-transparent hopper.

WestLink Automatic Pet Feeder

Type: Automatic electronic pet feeder with hopper. Works for both dry and semi-moist food. Full portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: Opaque, BPA-free hard plastic body and lid with BPA, BPS, and Phthalate-free plastic feeding tray.
• Size: 14.2″ x 8.3″ x 14.2″, 6.0 lbs. 7.3″ x 7.3″ x 6.2″ feeding tray.
• Capacity: 13.2 lbs. total capacity.

Price: $.
Features:

• Budget, large-capacity automatic pet feeder with an airtight, BPA-free ABS plastic hopper and large, built-in feeding tray that can hold up to 1.5-2 cups of kibble. Made in China.
• Offers ability to schedule easy-to-program 4 meals per day with a portion size of 1 to 39 (each portion is around 0.4 ounces), dispensed in the 7.3″ x 7.3″ and 6″ elevated feeding tray. Also provides the ability to create a 10-second food-call voice recording.
• Features tamper-proof programming with a monochrome LCD display. Most operations are configured by holding two buttons at a time, as defined in the user manual.
• Equipped with an infrared anti-jam mechanism to prevent food blockage and also control food dispensing if there is kibble left in the feeding tray. Supports all types of kibble and chow up to 0.39″ x 0.39″ in size.
• Powered by 3 D-type batteries (not included) or power outlet through the USB adapter. Both power modes can be used in conjunction, and the feeder automatically switches to battery power if the regular supply disrupts, without losing the programming.
• Available in 6-liter and 7-liter sizes and backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty. Competitively priced and cheaper than most other automatic feeders of the same capacity.
• The manufacturer also offers a costlier WestLink Automatic Smart Feed Feeder with WiFi Camera.

Iseebiz Automatic Cat Feeder

Type: Automatic electronic pet feeder with hopper. Works for dry and lightly-moist food. Full portion control.
Specifications:

• Material: Opaque BPA, BPS, and Phthalate-free plastic feeding tray.
• Size: 11.0″ x 8.0″ x 15.0″, 3.7 lbs.
• Capacity: 6.5 lbs. total capacity.

Price: $.
Features:

• A compact, unique robot/cat-shaped automatic pet feeder for all cats and small-to-medium breed dogs. BPA-free ABS plastic body with an opaque hopper. Made in China.
• Features full portion-control with an easy-to-program LCD display. Allows setting up 4 meals per day with a portion size of 1 to 39 (each portion is around 0.4 ounces), dispensed in the attached feeding tray. Also provides the ability to create a 10-second meal-call voice recording.
• Equipped with an infrared food-locking mechanism to prevent food blockage and also prevent food dispensing if there is kibble left in the feeding tray.
• Powered by 3 D-type batteries (not included) or power outlet through the USB-port power adapter. Both power modes can be used in conjunction, and the feeder automatically switches to battery power if the regular supply disrupts without losing the programming.
• Easy to clean by wiping with a clean, damp wash-cloth, and dry the unit with a dry towel.
• Competitively priced and cheaper than most other automatic pet feeders, but not as tamper or jam-proof as the premium feeders.
• Available in a standard blue-white robot cat design with a translucent black lid. Backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defect.
• The manufacturer also offers a smart treat-dispensing Iseebiz Smart Pet Camera.

iPettie Donut Automatic Pet Feeder

Type: Automatic tray-type pet feeder. Works for dry and wet food. Portion control per tray.
Specifications:

• Material: Hard ABS plastic body with 6 BPA, BPS, and Phthalate-free plastic feeding trays and rubberized anti-slip mats.
• Size: 12.6″ x 12.6″ x 3.2″, 0.81 lbs.
• Capacity: 3.6 lbs. total capacity distributed in six bowls.

Price: $.
Features:

• Elegant-looking and effective tray-type automatic cat feeder that supports both wet and dry food storage. Made in China under strict quality control measures.
• Features 6 separate BPA-free ABS food trays for storing food. The trays are removable, easy-to-clean, and dishwasher-safe. The feeder is also made of durable BPA-free ABS plastic.
• Offers scheduling up to 6 timed meals, each with a maximum of 6 oz. of food. Comes with an alarm that sounds whenever the food is available. Can be used to schedule 2 meals per day for 3 days.
• Can work for dry or wet food as well as medication. Allows adding 10 mm. ice packs (not included) to keep the wet and dry food fresh for additional 2-3 hours.
• Provides secure operation for the pet. If the pet put its legs in the storage tray, the cover will automatically rotate back and protect the pet from injury.
• Powered by 3 C-type batteries (not included) or power outlet through the USB-port power adapter (not included). Both power modes can be used in conjunction with the USB-port power being the primary.
• Available in two elegant color combinations – pink and white. Backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty.

Additional Automatic Cat Feeding Options

If you are only looking for an automatic treat dispenser instead of a full-fledged automatic cat feeder, you can consider opting for an electronic pet camera with a treat dispenser.

Some of the best options to consider are listed below:

• Furbo Pet Camera: Best-selling treat-dispensing pet camera with a 1080p full HD video streaming capability, 160-degrees ultra-wide-angle view, two-way audio, and night vision. Compatible with Alexa. Can store up to 100 crunchy pet treat pieces up to 0.4-inches in diameter. Well supported by a smartphone Furbo App and both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi connectivity. Designed primarily for dogs, but also works well with cats.
• PetCube Bites 2 WiFi Pet Camera with Treat Dispenser: Another popular pet camera with a built-in treat dispenser. Features a 1080p full HD camera with a 160-degrees ultra-wide-angle view, and night vision. Supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi connections. Designed to toss treats at a short, medium, or long distance or at scheduled times via the PetCube app. Supports a wide range of dry, crunchy cat and dog treats. 1.5 lbs. treat capacity.
• Pawbo Life Pet Camera: Cheaper pet camera with a built-in treat dispenser and laser pointer. Offers 720p HD live video with a 130-degree wide-angle lens, night vision, and 4x digital zoom. A Built-in two-way microphone allows remote communication with the pet. Supports 3G, 4G, and WiFi connections.

Automatic Cat Feeder Accessories

While gravity feeders do not need any batteries or power-sources to operate, automatic electronic feeders do. Most of them use three or four D-cell batteries to operate. Some of them can support DC power as well.

If you are looking for D-cell batteries for your auto cat feeder, you can consider the following standard options:

• Energizer Max Premium D-Cell Alkaline Batteries
• AmazonBasics D-Cell Everyday Alkaline Batteries
• Duracell Coppertop D-Cell Batteries
• Rayovac UltraPro Alkaline D Batteries

Some tray-type automatic cat feeders rely on AA or C-cell batterie. For such feeders, you can consider the following standard options:

• AmazonBasics C-Cell Everyday Alkaline Batteries
• Polaroid Extreme C-Cell Alkaline Batteries
• Duracell CopperTop AA Alkaline Batteries

In addition to the batteries, some tray-type automatic cat feeders allow you to add ice-packs to keep the wet food fresh for additional 3-4 hours. For such feeders, we recommend that you check directly with the manufacturer about the ice packs that would fit the feeder.

Still, if you are looking for a generic option, you can get some small gel-based, freezer ice packs such as the Icewraps Mini Gel Ice Packs and place them securely under the feeder tray.

How to pick the best automatic cat feeder for your pet?

With so many different types, models, and brands of automatic pet feeders available in the market, picking the best auto cat feeder for your kitty can be a challenge. Worry not! In this section, we discuss exactly that.

One of the first considerations to think about is your overall budget. If you plan to spend not more than 30 bucks, then gravity automatic feeders are your only bet.

However, if you can spend more, you can consider picking an automatic electronic feeder.

In addition to the budget, you can consider the following main factors while picking the best automatic feeders for your beloved pet:

• Purpose and type of feeder
• Design of the feeder
• Capacity of feeder and portion size
• Ease of use and cleaning
• Additional considerations and features

Purpose and type of feeder

The first thing you should consider while picking an automatic feeder is to decide whether you want to go with a gravity feeder or an electronic feeder. In order to choose between the categories of feeders, you have to think about the purpose for which you are considering to get a feeder. You should consider the following major things:

• Are you looking for a feeder simply to store the food and monitor the feeding personally? If you can track your pet’s nutrition and manage access to the feeder personally, then you can comfortably go with gravity feeders. However, if you are looking for unmonitored feeding control during the day or for a couple of days, then you should go with electronic automatic feeders.
• What is the breed of your cat (or dog)? Some electronic feeders, especially the tray type and smart feeders, are suitable only for small and medium pets. Almost all feeders we listed are ideal for cats. However, tray-type and low-base electronic feeders would find particular preference as they are more comfortable for cats to feed from.
• Do you have a special-need pet whose meals need to be managed accurately, such as pets suffering from diabetes, pancreatitis, or obesity? In such cases, you should only consider electronic automatic feeders that offer portion control.
• Do you have a power outlet set up with a consistent power supply? Some electronic feeders can run on DC power output and hence save you the hassle of changing the batteries. However, they would lose their programming if the power supply is lost, and you would have to reset the feeding regimen.
• Are you looking for a feeder that supports wet food? Only tray-type electronic and smart feeders such as Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder and iPettie Donut Automatic Pet Feeder provide the ability to store wet food and medications.
• Do you have multiple pets to feed? All types of gravity and electronic feeders would work with multiple cats and small breed puppies. However, if you are looking for feeders for multiple cats, then you would have to look for a feeder that can dispense a feed of up to 2 cups. An example of such a feeder is the best-selling PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Feeder. It even has a two-way splitter available to distribute food in two bowls.
• Do you have a multi-pet home and are concerned about food stealing among pets? If so, you would need to get a selective microchip cat feeder like the best-selling Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder.

Keep these considerations in mind before picking the best type of automatic feeder for your needs.

Design of the feeder

There are a bunch of design considerations that can govern your choice of the most suitable feeder for your needs.

One such design consideration is mounted vs. tray-type feeders. Mounted feeders can support multi-day meals, while tray-type feeders are suitable only for about a day of feeding. However, tray-type feeders can support wet food as well. In contrast, mounted gravity and electronic feeders are only suitable for dry and semi-wet kibbles.

Another important consideration is to check the anti-jam features available in the feeders. As discussed above, gravity feeders do not really have conveyors or tubes to unblock the flow of feed. Electronic feeders, on the other hand, have smart anti-jam features. However, not all products are the same, and some products, especially our top picks, perform quite well when it comes to unblocking food supply.

Many electronic and smart automatic pet feeders have had jamming issues in their initial models and hence now offer optional feeder ramps for better blockage management.

Finally, the control on feeding is another essential factor to look out for. Electronic feeders provide excellent features for programming the timing and portion size. Some of the most popular ones, such as PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Feeder, even offer different modes of feeding – slow, ad-hoc, and timed. Smart feeders go a few steps further and provide you full control, view, and feeding history of your pet. You can even record your beloved pet’s feeding video using an SD card and share it online!!

Check out all these design considerations and read the reviews to determine which particular model would be fit for your furry friend.

Capacity of the feeder and portion size

The capacity of the feeder is another factor to consider. We have listed out gravity feeders with a hopper capacity ranging from 2 lbs. for small PetSafe Dog and Cat Food Station to 12 pounds for the large Petmate Pet Cafe Feeder. You can even pick a feeder capacity as per your requirement

Similarly, the capacity of electronic feeders ranges from 3.6 lbs. (5 meals) for the Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder to around 12 lbs. for large models.

Closely related to the capacity of the hopper are the portion size and programmable meals that can be set in the feeder. Some feeders allow setting up of only 3 meals a day with a portion size of up to 1 cup per meal and hence are suitable for single cats and small-breed dogs only. Other feeders provide the ability to configure up to 12 meals a day with larger portion sizes and, therefore, can also be used for multiple pets who do not mind sharing the food bowl while feeding.

Check out the portion sizes, meal settings, and capacity of the hopper to choose the best auto cat feeder for your household.

Ease of use and cleaning

Everyone loves a product that is easy to set up and reliable to operate. As discussed above, gravity feeders do not require any programming. Moreover, the latest gravity feeders we listed above have an airtight lid that simplifies refilling and cleaning.

Electronic feeders, on the other hand, provide full control over the feeding regimen at the cost of minor program setup. Smart feeders go a step further by giving you complete control through a smartphone or tablet application.

Irrespective of automatic feeder type, the removable tray and bowls should be easy to detach, clean, and replaced without much fuss. You can check out the specifications to determine how easy it would be to maintain the feeder.

Additional factors and considerations

In addition to the major factors discussed above, there are a few other considerations that can make a purchase more attractive than others.

One such factor is the additional features, if any, available with the feeder. Most electronic feeders provide the ability to record a short calling message through a microphone and play it at the time of feeding. Moreover, these feeders can also store a history of feeding times. Some smart feeders even have features such as HD webcams to stream feeding videos and optionally store them in SD cards.

Another factor associated with electronic feeders is the power-supply support. Since these feeders need electric power to operate the food conveyor, they use either three or four AA, C, or D-cell alkaline batteries or a DC power outlet through a power adapter. Most feeders support both power modes, while a handful such as the Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder can only be powered by batteries.

Finally, one of the most important additional considerations before picking the best automatic cat feeder is the warranty, and post-purchase customer service support offered on the product by the manufacturer.

Top manufacturers such as PetSafe, WOPet, and Cat Mate score big in this category as they offer excellent one or more year warranties on their products – a testament of the superior quality these products provide.

Just make sure you make your purchase only from the manufacturers and authorized resellers to ensure that you get the genuine product and not a knock-off.

Keep these other small considerations in mind while picking the best automatic cat feeder for your kitty or kitties.

Things to remember while using automatic cat feeders

Automatic feeders are an excellent way to keep your cat or cats on a feeding regimen, even when you are not around. However, to ensure proper usage, keep the following things in mind while using such auto pet feeders:

• Read the instructions carefully before setting up the feeder. You can also check out the installation videos by manufacturer or online.
• Always set up the feeder on a stable, flat surface to prevent any unwarranted tipping-offs by the kitty (some tilting can be provided if you are seeing frequent clogging of kibble).
• If your cat is not self-restrained or suffering from obesity or other health issues, avoid using gravity feeders, as there is no control over the feeding portions. Instead, use an automatic feeder to manage portion size and feeding time. Remember, a scheduled feeding regimen is always better than free-feeding.
• In the case of gravity feeders, make sure you do not put the main container of the feeder in the dishwasher. Only the base and lid are dishwasher safe.
• Gravity feeders do not have anti-jam or food unblocking features. So, do not rely on these feeders except for short trips of more than one or two days at one time. Similarly, if you are using battery-powered electronic feeders, make sure to replace the batteries before taking a multi-day trip.
• Always use only recommended food types with the feeder you pick. Except for tray-type auto cat feeders and the Surefeed Microchip feeder, most other feeders support only dry or semi-moist feed.
• In the case of automatic, battery-powered feeders, if the program or conveyor/tube is not working properly, check the batteries of the feeder and replace them if required. Some automatic feeders even have low battery indicators that you can rely on to determine when to replace the power source.
• Make sure you save the user manual and installation instructions that come with the automatic cat feeders for future consultation and setup. In case of any challenges, refer to the FAQ section on the manufacturer’s website or contact the customer service.
• If opting for a specific selective pet feeder for your multi-pet home, check the size of the animal supported by it. Some tag/microchip pet feeders can only support pets of specific height and neck size. You can generally get this information from the product description or user manual on the manufacturer’s website. You can also contact the seller for details.
• Keep an eye on the overall weight and behavior of the pet. Consult your vet if your dog shows any signs of discomfort, bloating, or discomfort after feeding, or you see a sudden weight-loss.

Following the above tips and tricks would considerably improve your chances of success by using an automatic cat feeder for your kitty or kitties. For some more tips and tricks, refer to the user manual of your specific cat food dispenser or microchip/tag-based electronic cat feeder.

Final thoughts on the best automatic cat feeders

If you are one of those cat owners who are stuck in an always-on-the-run lifestyle and still want to maintain a reliable feeding schedule for your cat(s), then an automatic pet feeder can be a lifesaver. Such feeders provide an excellent way to feed dry or wet food to your beloved pet at a fixed time, even when you are not around. But picking the right auto cat feeder is imperative.

In this article, we looked at some of the best automatic cat feeders available in the market. We focused on all the standard categories of automatic pet feeders – simple gravity feeders, LCD-timer-based electronic feeders, tray-type automatic feeders, smart automatic feeders, and even microchip-based selective pet feeders.

We also discussed the major factors to consider before picking the best automatic cat feeders (or feeder) for your needs and shared our top picks for each category.

Our list includes automatic cat feeders for all requirements and budgets. Though our primary focus was on listing the best automatic feeders for cats, most of the options that we listed would work just as well for dogs.

We hope that this article would help you in picking the best automatic cat feeder for your pet. Do let us know how you found this article by providing your feedback in the comment section. Until next time, Happy Kittyfication!!

Image credits: Amazon.com