8 Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Automatic Feeder for Your Cat

Do you Want to Pick the Right Automatic Feeder for your Cat?

If you want to automatically feed your cat but aren’t sure how to choose the best pet food dispenser, these tips will guide you to the right choice for your furry friend. Doing proper research before purchasing a feeder can save you from frustration and wasted money. Based on my own analysis of automatic feeder reviews on Amazon, I found that about 20% of users express dissatisfaction with their purchases. Many of these negative experiences stem from impulse buys made without sufficient research. For more details, check out the reviews yourself on Amazon on this link.

I’ve put together this list based on my own experience and other customer reviews, so you don’t have to do all the research. I’ve already done it for you! By following these 8 tips, you can be confident that you’re getting a great solution for both you and your pet.

Tip 1: Pick a Feeder with a Digital Timer or Wi-Fi Control

A good digital timer allows you to fully customize your cat’s feeding schedule, down to the minute, to meet their specific needs. Many models not only offer programmable mealtimes but also allow you to control portion sizes, providing a tailored feeding experience for your pet.

If you prefer a more flexible option, a Wi-Fi auto feeder might be ideal. These feeders connect to an app, enabling you to adjust feeding schedules from anywhere using your phone, tablet, or computer. Wi-Fi feeders typically support multiple meals within a 24-hour period. Some, like the Feeder-Robot, can handle up to 8 meals per day and allows you to set multiple daily feeding schedules. So you could feed your cat 16, 24, or more times per day if you want. Even if the internet goes down, these feeders will continue dispensing food as scheduled.

With a Reliable Digital Timer or Wi-Fi App, You’ll be Able to:

• Customize Feeding Schedules: Set specific times for each meal to suit your cat’s individual needs.
• Control Meal Intervals: Adjust the time between meals, which is especially helpful for cats with special dietary needs (such as those with diabetes or cats that eat too quickly). Some feeders allow intervals as short as 1 minute.
• Vary Meal Intervals: Program different intervals for each meal. For example, you could set meals at 7 am, 11 am, and 6 pm, with intervals of 4 hours and 7 hours, respectively.
• Ensure Accurate Dispensing Time: Your cat will enjoy accurate feeding times compared to those with basic analog or countdown kitchen-type timers.

Tip 2: Capability to Dispense Minimum Portions

If you want to limit your cat’s daily food intake, such as 1/2 cup, make sure the feeder can distribute that amount in small, accurate portions throughout the day. If the feeder dispenses large portions, it may not allow for multiple meals per day. According to VCA Animal Hospital, cats should ideally be fed 3 times daily—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—though at a minimum, twice a day is recommended.

Many modern automatic feeders dispense a very small amount of food as the minimum portion. Examples include the Feeder-Robot, CSF-3 Super Feeder, Petlibro Air, Wopet, and Tsymo. A feeder that dispenses 10-12 grams of kibble per serving is small enough to keep your cat’s food intake under control. On my list of the best 15 automatic feeders reviews you can find the description of each unit with their minimum and maximum portions among other features. This additionally helps to stop cats from inhaling the food and then vomit, which is a very unhealthy habits in some cats. How you can achieve it? By dividing one meal in two minimum portions, with one minute apart.

Tip 3: Check Feeder Compatibility with Your Cat’s Kibbles

Some automatic feeders don’t guarantee the accuracy of portions when using a different kibble size than what they recommend. It is recommended to choose a feeder that can handle a wide range of kibble sizes. Usually, the kibbles that cause the automatic feeder to jam are the ones with odd shapes, such as stars, flowers, fish, triangles, etc. Also, the kibble that is too small and too flat is also a problem for most feeders to handle.

If Your Cat’s Kibbles Are Irregularly Shaped

Choose an automatic feeder with an adjustable internal gear to prevent jamming and ensure smooth operation, even with irregularly shaped kibble. For example, the Wopet 7L Camera features an adjustable piece that allows it to dispense different types of kibble without issues.

I created a YouTube video demonstrating how to adjust the wheel of the Wopet 7L automatic feeder to accommodate specific kibble shapes—check it out for a step-by-step guide!

Tip 4: Ensure the Feeder Retains Settings After Power Loss

If you need to unplug the feeder or if there’s a power outage you need to make sure the settings will be saved. Just think about it, every time there’s a power loss of if you need to unplug the unit for any reason and the settings are gone. Trying to remember how to program the feeding schedule will be a challenge. The idea is a set and forget unit that you will program once and it will retain the settings. Make sure to ask this question to the seller if is not mentioned in the description.

Tip 5: Check if Your Cat Can Tamper with the Feeder Design

The feeder’s key areas to check: The lid and the chute. Make sure to check that the lis is totally locked that only human hands can open it. Same thing with the chute. Check that the chute or food gate is protected from the cat’s paws. Most feeders have a system where the next meal is sitting right new to the chute. A  protecting lid or a dispensing system where the food sits far from chute is ideal. Cat-proof automatic feeders are not easy to find, but there are some good devices. For example, the CSF-3XL Super Feeder has a hopper and accessories to mount the feeder on the wall where it will be impossible for a cat to get access to the food.

Tip 6: Ensure the Feeder Works with AC and Battery Backup

This is an important consideration when buying an automatic feeder, especially if you plan to leave your cat for an extended period. If the power goes out, a feeder with battery backup will continue dispensing food, ensuring your cat won’t go hungry. While most modern feeders come with battery backup, it’s crucial to confirm that the unit can operate with both power sources simultaneously. Some budget or older models only allow one power source at a time, meaning you can’t plug it in while using batteries, or vice versa.

Tip 7: Consider the Quality of Materials

When shopping for an automatic feeder, it’s important to consider the quality of materials. A sturdy, well-made feeder tends to last longer and perform better. While high-quality feeders often come with a higher price tag, it’s not always the case.

Tip 8: Check the Warranty

Always review the warranty to ensure you’re covered for refunds, replacements, or repairs. The length of the warranty often indicates the quality of the feeder—generally, the longer the warranty, the more durable the product.

By following these 8 tips, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the perfect automatic feeder for your cat. Your pet will thank you, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress!