The CSF-3 cat Super Feeder automatic feeder has several features that make it easier to leave your cat alone at home and be confident your pet will be fed on time. It is also a good device for feeding two cats, whether eating from the same bowl or separately. If you want your cats to eat apart, you can adapt the Super Feeder to make it dispense the food in two separate directions. Additionally, the Super Feeder gives you the option to mount the unit on a wall to make it harder for your mischievous cat to reach the food.
The CSF-3 Super Feeder allows you to feed your cat from a fraction of a cup to several cups of dry food per day for up to 8 cycles. With the supplied digital timer you can adjust the length and frequency for each meal, with a minimum of 3 minutes between each meal.
Note: The Super Feeder with digital timer comes also as a combo (the CSF-3XL Combo) which is exactly the same Super Feeder but it comes with a 24-cup hopper for extra capacity. Check it out here.
Features of Super Feeder
- The Super Feeder CSF-3 comes with a large and tough poly-carbonate chute cover special to keep away that smart cat.
- This feeder could also be used with a home automation system and/or a web-based system. CSF-3 without stand/bowl
- An internal electronic timer with a micro-adjustment controller with seconds allows the feeder to provide small snacks in between main meals.
- All parts of this feeder can be replaced. Parts are removable and dishwasher-safe.
- The feeder holds 4 and ¾ cups of dry food (approx. 5.6 lbs with small rounded kibble) and its capacity can be increased with the 1.5-gallon hopper.
- Digital timer with 24-hr clock format/7-day features a minimum setting of 1 second (length of time the feeder releases food) and 8 (on-off) cycles (meals) by day with battery backup to retain time and program.
- It has a protection system that avoids random overfeed if the remote timer is “on” during power fluctuations or interruptions.
- Dimensions of the food dispenser 11″ X 10″ X 15″
- The manufacturer gives one year guarantee for the feeder while timers and external adapters have 90 days guarantee.
How the CSF-3 Super Feeder controls food portions
The amount of food to be dispensed at a time is controlled through the adjustment of the period of time the feeder will run. The time of each cycle goes from a split second to approximately 70 seconds. As a reference, 60 seconds will dispense approximately 1 cup of dry cat food. The smaller the food, the more food will be dispensed for a given period of time.
In order to get the best accuracy with a given size of food, the length of time has to be adjusted through the trial-and-error method. The recommended pellet (small round/spherical 1/4″ diameter) gives you the best performance and accuracy.
How the system works to push the food out
The CSF-3 Super Feeder does not use a screw system to capture and push the food out to be dispensed. It uses a roller and baffle system that creates permanent motion inside the machine to prevent trapped food problems common to other automatic feeders. This system will also not bind up on kibbles likely damaging the gear drive and causing food not to come out.
Does the Super Feeder work to feed 2 cats?
Yes. You will need to make a few changes using some accessories, but this is completely possible. If one of your cats eats the other cat’s food you may need to check on a different solution.
Can this unit be used outdoor?
Yes. The unit is weatherproof, none of the internal parts are exposed to the elements. The Super Feeder is made from sun-resistant high-impact plastic, this is crucial when it comes to using devices outdoor. To use it outdoor, the Super Feeder needs to be used without the stand (as seen in image 2); and mounted in a wall, attached to a piece of lumber. The black metal bracket that comes with the unit is 3.5″ wide and it fits 2×4 or 4×4.
To redirect the food from the feeder to the bowl you use a gutter that goes attached to the feeder and the chute. If you get the extra hopper you can mount it on a wall too. This is only one idea of how to set up the unit. There are several other ideas on how to do it.
Digital Timer allows to customize a group of days
With the supplied 24-hr clock format 7-day digital timer you can customize a group of days of the week for a feeding schedule, for example, you can program the automatic feeder to feed your cat just on weekends if you want.
Multiple Feeding Cycles
With the digital timer, the CSF-3 unit gives you consecutive feeding cycles in as little as 3-minute intervals if you want (it features a minimum ON-OFF time of 1 second) and you can program the feeder up to 8 times by day at any time.
This timer also allows you to give your cat additional meals in between by pushing the manual button to trigger your Super Feeder at any time. Besides, you can customize amounts of food for each meal (overriding the standard internal setting of the feeder), for example, big breakfasts and small dinners.
The multiple feeding cycles are limited only by a programmable remote timer used and ON/OFF settings so if you want to feed manually your pet you can just turn off the feeder and you won’t need to reprogram it.
The CSF-3 Super Feeder can be used with Home Automation System
If you are away on a trip and are concerned if your cat got fed, you can monitor or control the CSF-3 Super Feeder through a home automation system, even including webcams.
If you can, for example, turn on appliances in your house through the phone, you could do that with the Super Feeder.
NOTE: At the end of this review, find the new CSF-3 Super Feeder Wi-Fi, controlled by Smartphone, iPad, or Tablet.
How the Super Feeder Works
What are the Pros and Cons of the Super Feeder?
Pros
- Control over the length of feeding, frequency, and amount.
- Allows customizing groups of days of the week for feeding schedule.
- A special feature keeps programs powered down (no re-program needed).
- Designed for best performance with classic small-size cat pellets (1/4”), it works with pellets up to 5/8″ in diameter size.
- Large and tough poly-carbonate chute cover protection allows keeping your cat away from the chute.
- Optional slow-speed power adapter for very small portions.
- Can be programmed to dispense up to 8 portions by day, excellent for feeding two cats.
- You can use a different bowl (good if your cat is allergic to plastic).
- Can be mounted on a wall, cabinet, or across a corner wall (with accessories)
- Can be used with a home automation system.
- This automatic feeder is not cheaply made and lasts for several years.
- Personalized customer service for this product.
Cons
- A little tricky to be assembled (easy with the YouTube video).
- It does not have a backup power supply if is unplugged accidentally.
- Portions are a little less accurate with very small flat disc-type kibbles.
- This is an excellent automatic feeder, but its price is not low.
Tips When Using the Super Feeder
- Use the stand set up only indoors.
- To assemble it, make sure to have a small and medium Phillips tip screwdriver.
- Tape the cable to the floor to prevent your cat unplug the system when walking around.
- You will get the best performance and accuracy of the CSF-3 if you use square/round kibbles with a 1/4″ size diameter. You also can use bigger and flat pellets and in this case, you will have to set portions through the trial and error method.
Conclusion
√ I recommend the Super Feeder CSF-3 in the following cases:
- If you have your cat on a diet
- Ir your cat has diabetes.
- If your pet is obsessed with food (a smart “locksmith” type of cat).
- If you want to feed two cats.
- If you need to be several days away from home.
- If you use spherical small-size pellets (1/4″) as they are still the best recommended for accuracy in dispensing. However, this automatic feeder works with pellets up to 5/8″ in diameter size.
Get the Super Feeder on Amazon with free shipping by using this link.
Super Feeder with Analog Timer
The Super Feeder Analog is the same CSF-3 device but it comes with an analog timer. The analog timer can be programmed up to 48 daily feeding cycles, 30 minutes apart from each meal, but in case of a power outage, the feeder will keep the feeding cycles (for example, 3 times a day) but feeding time may be off schedule. Also, with an analog timer the horizon of programming, it’s up to 24 hours. Get the Super Feeder with Analog Timer on Amazon with free shipping by visiting this link.
this looks like a compact efficient unit. The price is high but i know you only get what you pay for
That’s right. This particular model is very efficient.
That’s a very good idea. Means I wouldn’t have to worry about getting home late feed my cat!
Yes Lucy, peace of mind about feeding your cat when you are not home.
Looks like a well built dispenser, great to be able to leave the cat for a few days without bothering neighbours or family to come and feed it. They are such indepentant creatures anyway sometimes people coming around can upset them so this way they get to do what they do best, sleep until you get home!
That’s truth Mark. They are very independent animals.
I have 2 cats. I’m worried about the more food-obsessed one not leaving any for my little shy one.if I leave alot out, the foodie will eat till he throws up. any suggestions?
Hello Natalie, thanks for your question. It is really a problem when a cat eats very fast and eats the other pet’s food. The CSF-3 is an excellent device for 2 cats but just if they respect each other’s food.
My suggestions? since you cannot separate your pets my best suggestion is to work with your cat that eats too fast to re-educate it. You can do this progressively until to get your cat slow down when eating. Usually this is just a bad habit and can be changed with proper tools. One excellent way to re-educate your feline is through the ball toy food. You adjust the hole on the beginning to let pass through 2 pieces of pellet at a time to make your pet get used to it on the beginning. Once your pet gets used to this feeder, is time to adapt the hole smaller to let one piece of pellet get through at a time. This system re-educate and slows down your cat when eating. This toy ball food is cheap and is worth it. I have a review in my website with a video so you can see how it works.
Another excellent option if you don’t have time to re-educate your cat from eating too fast is the Wireless Whiskers. I have the review on my website, it is special for 2 cats competing for food.
Good luck!
What will they think of next? If I had a cat, I’d be interested in this machine. Lorena, do you have a people feeder model that will fit inside my refrigerator? I’d love to come home and have my meals dispensed for me.
No Bill, but if know about something, I will let you know :-)
I like the option to deliver snacks in between. How neat is that. This machine is much better than leaving a bowl of dried food out while gone. I’d say that’s a clever contraption for those lucky cats.
That is right Lisa, this device is very good!
This does look like the best one around, but if you look on Amazon, the owners of the company go around posting childish belligerent comments on anyone who posts a bad review. I’m really hesitant to give so much money to such awful people.
Hello Jill, I did not know this information about the Company. I have made lot of researching about automatic feeders and so far this is the best device so that is why I recommend it. My ultimate goal is helping cat owners not to waste their money and get the best one for their cats and I think this is a really good automatic feeder that offers the more features and flexibility to feed cats. Thanks for your comment and if you have any other question, please don’t hesitate to ask me. Good luck!
Hi! I am a diplomat who lives abroad and I am happily getting married soon. My girlfriend loves cats, she always had cats and I am thinking about buying her a cat as a present for our marriage. I have never had cats, nor any other pet. I travel too often, and sometimes she accompanies me too, so we leave our home alone. That’s my major concern about having a cat now, and how I ended in this wonderful page. I’d love to buy a cat for her, and enjoy it too, but I am aware it is a great responsibility and I want to be sure we can take care of him. Any tip or advice? Thanks so much!
Hello Javier, thank you for your message. Cats are very interesting and versatile animals. One cat can be very different to another one, for example, some cats can’t handle their owners leaving them alone for too long and they tend to accumulate resentment towards them or even worse, to forget them. Others though, can handle pretty good to be alone for a certain period of time if having someone taking care of them. If you travel a lot and really want a pet, cats are the most independent animals to do that. I highly recommend you go to a pet shop and ask for the most independent and docile breed so it is easier for you to leave it alone for some time. The last recommendation is to always leave somebody to check on your cat while you are away.
If you travel very often and for long periods of time I would not recommend you to get any pet as it will suffer too much with the constant stress of being alone.
I hope I could help you my friend. Good luck!
I’m wondering why the short version has better ratings from you than the big hopper? I want a feeder for my cat when I am out of town for one week. So the big hopper would be better…Thanks!
Hello Nancy, thanks for your question. The short version Super Feeder you mention is the one with digital timer in a single version, not with accessories (Combo). You can buy this Super Feeder in a Combo version as well. This combo brings the hopper and other accessories. The review of the Combo is the same than the single version, you just add the extra accessories.
And the version you see with less rating is the Super Feeder with analog timer and accessories (Combo). Analog timer is less accurate.
Have a great trip!
I currently have the Le Bistro pet feeders, which I have rigged seven ways until Sunday to get them to stop knocking pellets lose. Will this prohibit them from reaching into the dispenser or knocking pellets loose.
Hello Hollie, thanks for question. The CSF-3 Super Feeder is an excellent cat food dispenser that is designed for your cat not to be able to defeat it. First, the container where the food is sitting has a screwed lid so cats cannot open it with the paws and have a feast. Second, the CSF-3 comes with a large and tough poly-carbonate chute cover special to keep away cats from trying to get extra food. Third, even if your cat is the most stubborn feline and still keeps trying to defeat the feeder, the Super Feeder comes with accessories and you can even mount it on a wall in a way that only the food falls into the bowl so your cat has access only to the bowl with food.
I hope I could help you. Thanks for your comment Hollie!
Lorena.
Hollie, I have the same problem with my Le Bistro feeder! Did you end up buying this model? I’d love to hear how it’s been going.
We have had an Ergosys Autopetfeeder since 7/09. Works well but the attached bowl is plastic. Problem for our cat due to a plastic allergy. Have tried using a stainless steel bowl sitting unattached in place of the attached plastic bowl, does not work well. How is this unit used with a stainless steel bowl?
Hello Larry! The Super Feeder works perfect with a stainless steel bowl. Actually I would like you to check this video
of a customer and his cat using the Super Feeder with a stainless steel bowl.
Good luck!
I have the same issue as Larry – can’t use plastic. I have 2 cats and would like to use 2 metal bowls. I watched his video, but it has only 1 bowl. Will this work with 2 bowls?
Thanks!
Terri
Hello Terri, the Super Feeder can be adapted to dispense in two directions. You will need some accessories to do this. This way you will be able to place 2 bowls to feed your cats. Here you will find some examples of the Super Feeder customized to dispense in 2 directions.
Good Luck Terri!
I’m worried if the power goes out for a couple hours since there is no backup power. Will the timer stay set? Or will my kitties need someone to reset it while I’m gone for a couple days?
Hello Meagan, the Super Feeder with digital timer retains the programming. For example, if there is a power outage of 2 hours, and the power is restored after those 2 hours, the unit will start dispensing according the times it was programmed. That is why is important to set the Super Feeder with several small meals by day if you live in a place where power outages occur frequently so your cat will get fed with several meals even after a power outage occurs.
Hi Colm, the Super Feeder is a very good automatic feeder so you would not go wrong on this one for your friend.
I am looking for a feeder with a timer that will open only at 5:30 am, so my cats don’t wake me to get up and feed them (which is what happens now). Could you please advise as to what you think would be the best option?
Many thanks!
Hello Ellina, you have several options of good automatic feeders, some of them have better quality than others. If you feed your cat dry food and want to give him a very specific amount of food at 5:30 am (from few kibbles to a cup, for example), I would suggest you the ones that have to ability to do this and be programmed with a digital timer at any time you need. These are the Pet Feedster, Super Feeder, Ergo Pet Feeder. Good luck!
Hi, Lorena:
I would like know where I can buy the CSF-3 Super Feeder in Spain. I think my cat eats Urinary Royal Canin kibble. Could there be any problem with that pellet’s size?
I have tried with 2 Le Bistro Petmate and the food on both got suck very often, so my cat could go without food for 24 hours.
Thanks in advance for your commitment with pets.
Hi Lorena
We live in a rural area and ants are a real problem. How “ant safe” is the unit or do you have any suggestions? We would pre-spray the outside of the shed with a huge dose of ant killer (spray or powder) but other than that, what else works? Cheers.
Hello Keith, the Super Feeder is an excellent automatic cat feeder because its parts are all attached by screws so no food is exposed to the air. The only exposed food is the bowl so if you have problems with ants my suggestion would be to put the Super Feeder over a platform which is surrounded by water.
Another good automatic pet feeder is the PetFeedster with a special food storage area which is protected by a water tray at the bottom of the unit so this prevents ants and other insects from invading the food.
I want to feed cracked corn to quail.
What is the cost of this unit, is there extra cost to ship to Canada
Hi Harry, you can check the price in Amazon and you can see the shipping cost rates to Canada here. Ask the manufacturer first if the feeder will performance 100% right dispensing cracked corn. Good luck!
can I buy the metering mechanism and supply my own timer and rfid sensor?
Yes Neil, you can.
How can the feeder be modified for two cats?
Hi Susan, you can adapt the Super Feeder in several ways as the unit goes completely assembled so you can satisfy your own needs.
To adapt the Super Feeder to dispense in two directions, see some customer solutions here.
Hi Lorena,
I’m one of the owners/creators of the Super Feed company / Super Feeder. I’m very impressed with your blog and reviews. We have had various people comment about this blog so I figured I would check it out for myself. ;)
I have a question: Do you, or does anyone else for that matter, think that a battery-back-up-subsystem would be a great optional accessory?? I’m currently in the brain-storming stage for designing one. I’m just wondering how many people would actually buy it…
Thanks again for the review! Through the years, it’s the customer comments that have improved this great Feeder! If you have any issues in the future with the feeder please don’t hesitate to contact us! We are a family owned U.S. company.
Hello Jean-Paul thanks for the nice feedback about my review site! Regarding your question, yes, a backup battery system that can be used in conjunction with the AC adapter it’s a feature that actually customers have asked me several times in this blog as a breaking point to decide what feeder to buy. So if you add this feature to the Super Feeder I am sure more people would buy it.
Thanks again for your nice input!
Is this feeder available for use in Europe, i.e. 220 voltage? I would like to have this shipped to my APO address in Germany.
Hi Jemal, you need to contact the manufacturer directly if you want to use it with a different voltage.