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Danny's Cats

Feeding and nutrition

Automatic cat feeder

Also called Timed cat feeder, Automatic pet feeder, Smart feeder

Updated

What is an automatic cat feeder?

An automatic cat feeder is a food container that releases a set portion at set times, from a hopper of dry kibble or, in a few models, from chilled trays of wet food. The AAFP lists automatic feeders among the tools that can help cats eat small, frequent meals.

How does an automatic cat feeder work?

You fill a hopper with dry food and program meal times and portion sizes, on the feeder itself or in a phone app. At each meal a rotor or conveyor moves a measured amount into the bowl. Wet-food feeders work differently: they hold a few meals in separate covered trays and open one at a time.

Most dry-food feeders take only dry or semi-moist kibble, and some set a maximum kibble size. Check the maker's food guidance before you buy.

Why do people use one?

To keep meals on time when no one is home, and to split the day's food into smaller meals. The AAFP's feeding statement describes frequent small meals as normal for cats and lists automatic feeders, puzzle feeders and separate feeding stations among the ways to offer them. It recommends planning feeding with your veterinarian.

What can go wrong?

Food can jam, batteries can run down and a Wi-Fi feeder can lose its connection. Many feeders keep batteries as backup power, and some keep their schedule offline. None can tell you whether your cat actually ate, so someone should still check in. VCA says a cat that has not eaten properly for 24 hours needs veterinary help straight away.

What to look for

  • Battery backup, or batteries as the main power, for outages
  • Enough meals a day and small enough portions to split your cat's daily amount
  • Which parts are dishwasher safe
  • Whether it takes your cat's food: dry, wet, and the kibble size

Leaving a cat alone for days with only a feeder

A feeder can serve meals but cannot notice a jam or a cat that has stopped eating. Have someone check on your cat, and fit fresh batteries before you go.

Questions about automatic cat feeder

Can an automatic feeder hold wet food?

An automatic feeder can hold wet food only if it is built for it. Dry-food feeders take kibble only, and VCA notes that moist food spoils quickly if it sits out. Wet-food feeders keep a few meals in covered trays, some chilled, and open one at each mealtime.

Will an automatic feeder help my cat lose weight?

An automatic feeder can serve the portions you set for weight loss, but it does not decide them. Ask your veterinarian how much your cat should eat and how fast it should lose weight, because VCA warns that rapid weight loss can put a cat at risk of hepatic lipidosis.

Where this comes up

Sources