| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | WOPET 6-Liter Automatic Cat Feeder |
| Best Microchip Cat Feeder | Sure PetCare Microchip Pet Feeder |
| Best for Wet Food | Cat Mate C500 Digital 5 Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder |
| Best Gravity Feeder | PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station |
Do you need a new feeder for your kitty? The best cat feeders are easy to use and will help you ensure your cat (or cats) get the food they need to stay healthy. There are many different types of cat feeders on the market, including gravity cat feeders, automatic models, slow feeders, feeders for multiple cats, microchip cat feeders, and even feeders with cameras.
Deciding which type of feeder is best for your kitty can be tricky. We’re here to help make this difficult decision a bit easier. We’ve reviewed some of the top cat feeders on the market to help you decide which is best for your feline friend.
Check Amazon- Wifi enabled smart pet feeder with food dispenser with portion control
- Program up to 15 meals a day
- Voice recorder to communicate with pet
- Remote control and smartphone app
Check Amazon- Cat feeder uses Microchip ID or RFID collar tag to communicate with feeder to open for specific pet
- Additional tags sold separately
- Prevents meal stealing and stress in multi-pet homes at meal times
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Built-in icepacks keep food fresh
- A simple digital timer that’s easy to set
- LCD display for easy viewing
Check Amazon- Gravity dry pet food dispenser
- Removable stainless steel bowl
- All parts dishwasher safe
- Small holds 2lbs cat or dog kibble; large holds 4lbs
The Top Picks for the Best Cat Feeder: Ranked
#1 Best Overall: WOPET 6-Liter Automatic Cat Feeder
The WOPET Automatic Cat Feeder, our selection as the best overall, is perfect for cat owners who need to be away during feeding times.
With this feeder you can program up to 15 meals of dry food during the day to match your pet’s schedule and help them maintain a healthy weight. If you need a slow feeder, you could program multiple smaller meals close together to prevent your cat from eating too quickly.
This feeder can connect to your home’s Wi-Fi, allowing you to access it and control it using your cellphone. It comes with a power adapter to connect to an outlet in the home, but also holds three D batteries to ensure it continues running in the event of a power outage.
A special feature of this model is the ability to record a message for your cat that will play every time their meal is dispensed. Hearing your voice may help keep your cats from feeling too stressed out or nervous if they are alone.
Although this feeder undoubtedly has a lot going for it it will only work where Wi-Fi is present, so be sure you have a strong Wi-Fi connection in your home before purchasing it.
Pros and Cons of the WOPET 6-Liter Automatic Cat Feeder
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This feeder allows you to schedule up to 15 meals per day. | This feeder will only work where Wi-Fi is present. |
| You can access and control it through your phone. | |
| You can record a voice message which will play each time your pet is fed. | |
| It has a power adapter as well as batteries so pets don’t go hungry even in a power outage. |
- Wifi enabled smart pet feeder with food dispenser with portion control
- Program up to 15 meals a day
- Voice recorder to communicate with pet
- Remote control and smartphone app
2. Best Microchip Cat Feeder: Sure PetCare Microchip Pet Feeder
Our selection as the best microchip feeder is the Sure PetCare Microchip Pet Feeder for several reasons.
If you’re concerned about one of your cats stealing another kitty’s food or want to be able to feed your cat outdoors without other animals getting to their food, take a look at this microchip cat feeder. This feeder is compatible with nine, ten, and 15-digit microchip numbers. Once your cat’s microchip is scanned by the feeder, it will provide them with access to their food. For cats that are not microchipped, you can use the included RFID collar to provide your cat with access to their meal.
If you have multiple cats, the manufacturer recommends purchasing one feeder for each cat. That way, you can feel confident that they’re only eating their serving of food.
This feeder is battery powered which means that you never need to worry about your pet going hungry in a power outage. Additionally, it is suitable to use with both wet and dry food, and the sealed dish keeps food fresh and keeps flies away from it.
Unfortunately, if you have a cat that is overly greedy, they may still be able to get in and get some food since the feeder closes very slowly after one cat finishes eating.
Pros and Cons of the Sure PetCare Microchip Pet Feeder
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This feeder lets pets feed after scanning their microchip number. | The feeder closes slowly after the cat has finished eating, meaning greedy cats can access more food. |
| It is compatible with nine, ten, and 15 digit microchip numbers. | |
| It comes with a RFID collar for pets that are not microchipped. | |
| This feeder is suitable to use with wet and dry food as the sealed design keeps food fresh and insect free. |
- Cat feeder uses Microchip ID or RFID collar tag to communicate with feeder to open for specific pet
- Additional tags sold separately
- Prevents meal stealing and stress in multi-pet homes at meal times
3. Best for Wet Food: Cat Mate C500 Digital 5 Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
Most automatic cat feeders are only designed to work with dry food, but if your cat prefers wet food then we recommend the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5 Meal Automatic Pet Feeder.
This feeder has five different compartments that can open at a set time to feed your kitty with each compartment holding up to 11.5 ounces of food. It uses a simple digital timer which is easy to use. You can fill the compartments before leaving, and your cat can be fed up to four times when you’re away (plus one initial feeding once you put the feeder down).
This model uses two ice packs to keep wet food fresh throughout the day. The cover over the food is also secure to prevent the air from getting to the food and making it hard or unsafe to eat.
The feeder requires just three AA batteries to operate and features a battery status indicator so you can always feel confident that it will feed your cat as scheduled.
However, some customers have reported that the ice packs defrost quite quickly (although this does depend on the temperature where it is situated). They have also found that the bowl is too small and a poor shape for some pets as they struggle to access the food in the corners.
Pros and Cons of the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5 Meal Automatic Pet Feeder
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This feeder has five compartments which allows it to hold five different meals. | The bowl is small and the shape means it si difficult for pets to get food out of the corners. |
| Each compartment holds up to 11.5 ounces of food. | The icepacks can defrost too quickly. |
| It has an easy to use digital timer. | |
| This feeder has two icepacks which keep food fresh — meaning it is suitable to use with wet food. | |
| It is battery operated and features a low battery indicator. |
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Built-in icepacks keep food fresh
- A simple digital timer that’s easy to set
- LCD display for easy viewing
4. Best Gravity Feeder: PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station
For some pets, a gravity feeder words just fine and for this category we have chosen the PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station.
With this feeder there’s always a ready supply of food for the cat that likes to graze throughout the day without their appetite getting the best of them. This gravity feeder holds up to two pounds of dry cat food, and freshness is sealed in with a locking lid. The overall design made of BPA-free plastic, with a black top and bottom and white see-through storage to let you know when it’s running low. The food empties into a stainless steel, dishwasher-safe bowl that easily slides out for cleaning.
If you wish to use this bowl, or an additional one for water, there are carbon filter accessory parts that can be ordered to keep a steady supply of water for your cat as well as food. There is also a large option available which can hold up to four pounds of food. However, the best part is that this bowl is a very affordable option.
Unfortunately, some customers complained that when they use the water option it doesn’t always drain into the bowl.
Pros and Cons of the PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This feeder provides a constant supply of food throughout the day. | Some customers found when using the water option that it doesn’t always drain into the bowl. |
| Extra parts can be purchased to turn this feeding station into a water bowl. | |
| It features a removable stainless-steel bowl. | |
| This feeder has a locking lid to keep food fresh and prevent pets from accessing it. | |
| There two sizes available which hold two or four pounds of food. |
- Gravity dry pet food dispenser
- Removable stainless steel bowl
- All parts dishwasher safe
- Small holds 2lbs cat or dog kibble; large holds 4lbs
The Different Types of Cat Feeders: Pros and Cons Compared
There are a few main types of cat feeders to consider. Weighing the pros and cons of each type can help you make the right selection for your needs.
Gravity Cat Feeders
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They are less expensive than automatic cat feeders. | They are not good for cats that won’t self-regulate. |
| They are easy to use. | |
| They typically have a large capacity and don’t need to be refilled too frequently. |
Automatic Cat Feeders
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These feeders dispense a set amount of food at a pre-programmed time. | They are more expensive. |
| They are ideal for cats that would overeat if left with an unlimited amount of food. | You need to program the amounts and times for feedings. |
| Some include a slow-feed option. | They may not be ideal for a home with multiple cats that don’t share well. |
| These feeders often have a large capacity and don’t need to be refilled too frequently . | |
| Some automatic feeders have cameras or audio functions allow you to check in on your cat during meal times. |
Slow Cat Feeders
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These feeders dispense a serving of food over an extended period of time. | These feeders may be more expensive than other models. |
| They can help prevent cats from overeating or eating so quickly that they vomit. | Programming may take a little time. |
Wet Food Cat Feeders
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These feeders are designed to keep wet food fresh. | These feeders can be messier to clean. |
| A timer rotates the feeder to open at set times. | They hold a more limited number of meals than models with a large bin. |
The Best Cat Feeders: Summary
There is a vast amount of cat feeders on the market today and they all have their own positive and negative points. Ultimately, when it comes to choosing the perfect feeder for your cat (or cats), you should consider the individual needs of your pet. For example, if your cat is a greedy eater then a gravity feeder would be unsuitable. We hope that this product review has given you some useful information about the different types of cat feeders as well as helped you to make that important decision.
Up Next…
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- Our Top Picks for Best Cat Muzzles: Reviewed for You — Keep your cat calm in stressful situations with these recommendations for the best cat muzzles.
- Our Top Choices for the 4 Best Cat Water Fountains — Give your cat a constant stream of fresh water with a cat water fountain.
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | WOPET 6-Liter Automatic Cat Feeder |
| Best Microchip Cat Feeder | Sure PetCare Microchip Pet Feeder |
| Best for Wet Food | Cat Mate C500 Digital 5 Meal Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder |
| Best Gravity Feeder | PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station |
The Best Cat Feeders: Updated FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I get my cat used to a new feeder?
Some cats may be reluctant to eat out of a new feeder. If your cat seems hesitant, try placing their current bowl or dish inside the new bowl for a few feeds. Also, be sure to place the feeder in the spot where they are currently eating. If you wish to feed them somewhere else eventually, you can try moving it once they are comfortable with it. If you’re looking at an electronic feeder, some allow you to record a message to play for your cat a feeding time. Hearing your voice may help them feel more comfortable with their new setup.
How often should I clean my cat’s bowl?
Since bacteria can grow on any food (or tiny bits of food) that remain in the bowl, it is important to clean your cat’s bowl at least once a day, if not after every meal.
How do automatic cat feeders work?
Automatic cat feeders are designed to release a set amount of food at a given time. They are battery operated or plug-in to the wall and can be programmed with how much food to dispense and when the food should be dispensed.
There are a few different automatic feeder styles. Many models have a large bin that holds the food. When scheduled, the door to the bin will open and release the set amount of food.
Other models are round with multiple compartments. Owners fill each compartment with the desired amount of food. Then, at the pre-programmed time, the feeder will turn to open the door to one of the individual compartments.
Can multiple cats share the same feeder?
The answer to the question can vary based on the personalities of your cats. Some cats may not want to eat at the same time and others may be food aggressive. If this is the case, one of your kitties may not end up getting enough food and another may end up overeating.
If this is a concern for your cats, you may find it better to have different feeders for each cat located in different areas of the house.
How much food do cat feeders hold?
The capacity of a cat feeder varies. Some models are designed to hold multiple pounds of food for many meals, while other versions are smaller and may only hold enough food for a few feedings. However, keep in mind that the food in a smaller feeder will stay fresher since you’ll be refilling it more often.
Are gravity feeders good for cats?
Gravity feeders can be a good choice for cats who know how to self-regulate when eating. However, if your cat is prone to overeating and will continue eating simply because there is food available, a gravity feeder is probably not the right choice.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
