The best automatic cat feeders for 2024

The+best+automatic+cat+feeders+for+2024

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Automatic cat feeders offer cat parents convenience and peace of mind by dispensing pets’ meals at scheduled times–whether you’re with them or not. They help maintain healthy eating habits, which veterinarian and cat influencer Dr. Jessica Thompson explains “is especially important in multi-cat households, where monitoring individual food intake can be challenging.”

When choosing an automatic cat feeder, Dr. Thompson says, “customizable feeding schedules and accurate portion measurement are essential.” Look for models that are “sturdy enough to withstand attempts by curious (hangry) cats to access the food prematurely” and have storage systems that keep food fresh.

After plenty of research, we chose the Whisker Feeder Robot as our best overall automatic cat feeder, which is customizable because of its meal programming, safety features, and app functionality.

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Our picks for the best automatic cat feeder

The best automatic cat feeders

Photograph courtesy Litter-Robot

Buy it now at Whisker

Why we like it: Its smart features, like its accurate timer function and portion control, make this our best automatic cat feeder. Choose gravity mode to ensure your cat’s bowl is kept topped up all day, or schedule meals using the app or digital control panel. The app lets you keep an eye on food levels and monitor feeding habits. We love that you can send your cat a snack remotely, too.

Safety features include a chew-resistant power cable, tamper-resistant lid, anti-jam technology, and battery backup in case of a power outage.

Keep in mind: This is a large, expensive feeder. The plastic bowl is not dishwasher safe.

Product details: Maximum capacity: 32 cups | Dimensions: size 15H x 12.5D x 13W inches, footprint 9W x 11.25D inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Food type: Dry or semi-moist | Power source: Plug and 12 volt backup battery (sold separately) | Mobile app: iOS and Android

Photograph courtesy Chewy

Buy it now at Chewy

Why we like it: This automatic feeder has a high-definition camera with night vision and a two-way audio feature, so you can see and speak to your pet remotely. Portion sizes and meal schedules can be adjusted remotely through the app, which sends notifications if the food supply is low or the dispenser is jammed. If your home loses power, the backup battery ensures meals are dispensed on schedule. The storage container has a secure, sealed lid to keep food fresh, and the stainless steel bowl is dishwasher safe.

Keep in mind: Smart features are disabled in battery mode.

Product details: Maximum capacity: 5 liters / 24 cups | Dimensions: 13 × 7.5 × 7.5 inches | Weight: 3.75 pounds | Food type: Dry food | Power source: DC 5V power adapter; 3 x alkaline D batteries (not included) | Mobile app: iOS and Android

Photograph courtesy Amazon

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: With its adjustable raised foot, this elevated feeder reduces stress on joints and promotes better digestion, making it a pain-free feeding option for senior cats or those with mobility issues. The stainless steel bowls, which you can switch between single and dual bowl functionality, are wide to avoid whisker stress and detach for cleaning. The food storage container is moisture-proof with a sealed lid to prevent spills and keep kibble fresh, and the anti-clogging design and battery backup offers peace of mind. You can record a voice message to call your cat at mealtimes.

Keep in mind: Portion sizes aren’t adjustable.

Photograph courtesy Chewy

Buy it now at Chewy

Why we like it: This affordable gravity feeder lets pets graze throughout the day. Its hourglass shape makes it easy to carry, its wide openings enable easy refilling, and the feeder can be completely disassembled for cleaning. The whole product is dishwasher safe, including its stainless steel bowl. Available in two sizes, the feeder’s storage container locks into its base to prevent spillage.

Keep in mind: Avoid gravity feeders if your pet is prone to overeating.

Photograph courtesy Chewy

Buy it now at Chewy

Why we like it: This feeder’s two-timer-operated compartments can be set at one-hour increments for a period of up to 48 hours, which makes it a straightforward feeding option if you’re away for the night. We love that you can link the lids together to feed two cats simultaneously. The unit is tamper-resistant and fly-proof, and integrated ice packs keep wet food fresh. The large, stainless steel bowls are removable and dishwasher safe.

Keep in mind: The timer function can be inaccurate according to reviews, and the hard-to-grip dials may be challenging if you suffer from weakness or mobility issues in your hands.

Photograph courtesy Amazon

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: This feeder’s large capacity makes it a great option for longer absences. You can schedule meals and adjust feeding times and portions through the app. The high-definition, wide-angle camera allows you to see your pet remotely, and you can record a short voice message for your cat. Safety features include battery backup, a lock to stop your pets from accessing their stored food, and a food blockage sensor to prevent kibble jams.

Keep in mind: The smart functions don’t work in battery mode, and there’s no night vision, so you’ll have to leave a light on to see your cat after dark. The plastic bowl is hand wash only.

Photograph courtesy Amazon

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: This automatic cat feeder has a two-way splitter that channels food into separate bowls. Use the digital control panel or app to program meals, then remotely adjust schedules and monitor battery life via the app. You can also record a short message to call your cat at mealtimes. An automatic reversal mechanism prevents food blockages, and there’s battery backup to take over if there’s a power outage. We love the feeder’s non-slip pad and detachable, dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowls.

Keep in mind: Food portions cannot be customized to individual cats.

Photograph courtesy Chewy

Buy it now at Chewy

Why we like it: This carousel-style feeder uses a digital timer to rotate and reveal portions of food at designated times. Once you’ve filled the bowls, your cat’s first meal is readily available, but the remaining four can be scheduled as you please. There are dual ice packs beneath the bowls and a close-fitting lid on top to keep food fresh. The unit is tamper-resistant to pets, and its stainless steel bowls are dishwasher safe.

Keep in mind: The noise made when the unit rotates may frighten sensitive cats.

We combed through third-party reviews, studied product quality and features, and considered the needs of different pet parents. We researched:

Third-party reviews: We read reviews by customers who have purchased and used each automatic cat feeder, noting their insights into features, performance, and flaws.
Brand reputation: A brand’s trustworthiness and reliability are key factors for determining quality, safety, and durability.
Capacity: The more kibble an automatic feeder holds, the more cats it can feed, and the less often it will require refilling.
Battery power: For power-operated feeders, a backup battery is essential in case your home loses power.
Food type: Large-capacity feeders that dispense food from a container only work with kibble. Automatic wet food cat feeders need integrated ice packs and airtight seals to keep meals fresh.
Pet proofing: Chew-resistant power cables and robust containers will help keep your pet safe. Tamper-proof container lids will keep them out of their kibble reserve.

Tips for buying auto feeders for cats

Customization

Gravity feeders are good for pets that don’t need strict portion control, but if your cat is prone to quick- or overeating, consider a feeder that offers meal size adjustment and scheduling features. Some automatic feeders for cats can be programmed to release food in varying quantities, whilst others dispense only one-size servings. You should also check how many meals the feeder can schedule per day.

Smart features

Consider a cat feeder with smart functionality if you want to monitor your pet’s feeding activity. Features include remote meal scheduling, notifications when your cat has been given its food or kibble levels are low, sending snacks on demand, and tracking your cat’s food intake. Some feeders offer voice recording, cameras, and speakers, allowing you to interact with your pet remotely.

Hygiene and food safety

Look for a cat feeder with removable, easy-to-clean parts. Choose stainless steel bowls, which are non-porous and dishwasher safe, over plastic ones that can harbor bacteria or ceramic bowls that can chip or break. Airtight kibble storage containers and ice packs for wet food will keep meals fresh.

Multiple cats

Multiple-cat households require feeders with more than one bowl to ensure individual cats eat their own meals and to reduce competitiveness over food.

Frequently asked questions

Are automatic cat feeders a good idea?

Automatic cat feeders are convenient if your cat requires consistent meals or demands breakfast at 4 am, and provide peace of mind if you work long hours or are on a short trip. They can also play a crucial role in managing a cat’s weight, explains Dr. Thompson, “particularly those prone to obesity. This is especially important in multi-cat households, where monitoring individual food intake can be challenging.”

Can I leave my cat alone for a week with an automatic feeder?

“While automatic feeders offer convenience and peace of mind for pet owners, they should not be relied upon for extended periods,” advises Dr. Thompson. “Electronic devices can malfunction, which can lead to potential issues such as failure to dispense food.” Nor are they a substitute for human company.” “Regular check-ins by the pet owner or pet sitter are crucial to ensure the well-being and health of the cat.”

How do timed cat feeders work?

Automatic pet feeders dispense specified quantities of food according to a schedule. Gravity feeders refill bowls when there’s space for kibble to drop down from the container. Manual, digital, or app-programmable feeders use timers to serve portions of food at a designated time.

Christie Dietz is an award-winning freelance journalist from London who is based in Germany. She has covered food and travel for publications including National Geographic Traveler, Gastro Obscura, Food and Travel, and National Geographic Traveller Food (UK), to which she contributes a regular feature.

*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.

The+best+automatic+cat+feeders+for+2024