Best Automatic Cat Feeders
Is your cat’s meal schedule a bit messy? Or do you worry about them eating enough when you’re out? Automatic cat feeders sort this out.
These devices make sure your furry friend eats right on time. And they get the proper amount, every single meal. Whether you’re home or away, your cat stays fed.
This guide dives into the various options out there. We’ll show you what to look for. Then, we’ll review the best automatic cat feeders for your home.
Top Automatic Cat Feeders in the UK
Want a quick look? Here are some top-rated automatic cat feeders we found. For more details on each, keep reading below.
Best For Wet Cat Food
Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder with Digital Timer
The Cat Mate C500 is one of the simpler automatic feeders we reviewed but is the best choice if your cat will only eat wet food. You can add a different meal type to the 5 different compartments which makes it a great 2 day automatic feeder option.
Rating: 4.5/5
Choosing an Automatic Cat Feeder
Picking the right automatic cat feeder is pretty straightforward. But before you buy, think about a few things. These questions will help you find a good match for your cat:
- How long might your cat be left alone? This affects feeder capacity.
- What kind of food does your cat eat? Dry food has different needs than wet. If it’s dry, how big are the pieces?
- Does your cat prefer eating alone, or do they need a call? Some feeders can play a message to remind them it’s mealtime.
- How much food does your cat usually eat at each feeding?
- Can you easily plug in the feeder where you plan to put it? Some run on batteries.
Knowing the answers helps you pick a feeder that fits your cat’s needs perfectly.
How We Reviewed Cat Feeders
We’ve owned automatic cat feeders ourselves. So, we know what matters. We looked at many options to bring you the best info. Our reviews focused on these key points:
- Capacity: How much food does it hold? Does it keep food fresh for days?
- Cleaning Ease: Can you clean it easily? Are parts dishwasher safe?
- Build Quality: Is it sturdy? Can cats break into the food supply?
- Extra Features: Does it have things like voice recording or app control? What gives you more comfort when you’re away?
- Value: Do you get good features for the price?
Our Automatic Cat Feeder Reviews
Here are our favorite automated cat feeders available in the UK. We checked out different models, including smart options, those with voice recording, and feeders for diet control. You’ll find brands like Skymee, PetSafe, and Cat Mate here. We’ve listed them based on their overall rating, from highest to lowest.
1. Skymee 12L Smart Automatic Pet Feeder with HD Camera & 2 Way Audio
Summary:
This is truly one of the best smart cat feeders around. The Skymee feeder links right to your phone, whether you have an iPhone or Android. You can feed your cat, see them, and even talk to them when you’re not home. It has a huge 12-liter capacity. That’s enough dry food to last your cat up to a month, depending on how much they eat. This feeder gives you real peace of mind. Just check the app to see your cat. You can use the two-way audio to talk to them. It costs a bit more, but it’s a very smart and dependable auto feeder.
Key Features:
- Huge 12L capacity
- Includes a IR night vision motion detection 1080p camera to check in on your cat when its eating
- Up to 8 meals per day, 24 hour clock schedule & choose between 1-30 portions for each meal
- Dual power supply (mains and battery 1xD cell)
- 2 way audio & microphone allowing you to talk to your cat from anywhere
- Compatible with dry food up to 15mm diameter
- Connects seamlessly to your phone and wifi
2. Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder with Digital Timer
Summary:
The Cat Mate C500 serves meals when you’re away, whether it’s for a day or a whole weekend. It works for both wet and dry foods. The twin ice packs and a snug lid help keep food fresh, which is great. You just set the digital timer for meal times. It’s easy to use. All your set meals show on the screen. We think this feeder gives great value. It’s reliable, and won’t cost too much if you only need a feeder for a couple of days.
Key Features:
- Holds up to 5 meals for your cat (up to 330g each)
- Has twin ice packs to help keep food fresh
- Removable cover and bowl for cleaning (dishwasher safe)
- Suitable for dry and wet food
- Easy to set timer to schedule meals for your cat
- Requires 3xAA batteries
3. PetSafe Smart Feed Automatic Cat Feeder
Summary:
PetSafe really stepped up the game with this smart feeder. It links straight to an app on your phone. Its large capacity is perfect for when you’re away for longer periods, and the app gives you peace of mind. After downloading the app and connecting to your Wi-Fi, you can set up meal times for your cats. You can change them whenever you need. This feeder also lets you feed your cat slowly, which is great if they tend to eat too fast. Most parts are removable and can go in the dishwasher, making cleanup simple.
Key Features:
- 24 cup capacity (5,678ml)
- Get alerts on your phone when the feeder is low (or out of) food
- Get notified when your cat has been fed
- Select the ‘feed now’ option on your app to feed your cat outside normal feed times
- Set up to 12 meal times per day
- Flexible meal sizes from 29ml to 946ml each
- Use the ‘dispense slowly’ option to spread each meal out over 15 minutes
4. PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder
PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder
Our Rating: 5/5
Summary:
We really like the PETLIBRO automatic cat feeder. It’s a fantastic product and offers good value. The quality is excellent. It’s built strong, and with a 4-liter capacity, our cats always get enough food. Setting it up was simple, just like unpacking a new phone. We recorded a message that calls our cats at mealtime. This gives us comfort, knowing they’ll eat even when we’re out. The food dispenser works very smoothly. It works well with many dry cat foods.
Key Features:
- Check out our video of the feeder in action
- 4 litre capacity
- Each meal can be controlled use up to 10 portions of food (1 portion is 12.5ml / 2 1/2 tsp)
- Ability to schedule 4 meals per day at times of your choice
- You can add a recorded message to be played at each meal time to call your cat
- Powered using mains power with a battery backup in case of power cut
- Suitably for dry food only (0.07-0.4 inches in diameter)
- The food bowl is removable making it easy to clean
5. Puppy Kitty 6.5L Automatic Pet Feeder for Cats
Puppy Kitty 6.5L Automatic Pet Feeder for Cats
Our Rating: 4/5
Summary:
The Puppy Kitty automatic pet feeder runs on electricity, but it has a battery backup for power cuts. It also alerts you when the battery needs charging. With a 6.5-liter capacity, it can feed your cat for up to two weeks, depending on how much they eat. The blue backlit panel makes it simple to set meal times. Our favorite part is the voice recorder. You can record an 8-second message. It’s perfect for letting your cat know it’s time to eat.
Key Features:
- 6.5L capacity (approximately 3kg)
- Can schedule up to 4 meals per day
- Comes with two dispenser size options (5g or 10g)
- Each meal can be 1 to 39 portions (a maximum of 390g using the 10g dispenser, or 195g with the smaller)
- Built in voice recorder and speaker to record a message to call your cat at each automated meal time
- Can be powered by mains or battery
- 3 year warranty
6. Petkit Smart Pet Feeder for Cats
Petkit Smart Pet Feeder for Cats
Our Rating: 5/5
Summary:
This feeder looks modern and is very smart. It has a “never stuck” system, tested millions of times. This means food won’t get blocked when it’s dispensed. So, you can be sure your cat won’t go hungry. It offers a large capacity, a simple mobile app, and many scheduling options. This feeder is a solid choice for cat owners who are often away.
Key Features:
- 5.9L capacity
- “Never Stuck” food will never get stuck whilst being dispensed
- Double lock design to keep food fresh
- Program up to 10 meals per day
- Set portion sizes from 20-400g each
- Works with dry food between 5-25mm in diameter
- Control your cats feeding schedule from anywhere using the feeders mobile app
Why Use an Automatic Feeder?
Automatic feeders solve many common feeding issues. They make life simpler for both you and your cat. Here’s how they help:
- Portion Control: Great for cats who eat too much, helping them stay a healthy weight.
- Diet Schedules: Perfect for cats needing special diets or meals at set times throughout the day.
- Busy Owners: If you work long, unpredictable hours, you don’t have to rush home to feed your pet.
- Travel Flexibility: Enjoy going out or traveling more. Your cat’s meals are taken care of.
- Freshness: Some feeders keep food fresh for picky eaters who only want quality meals.
- Peaceful Sleep: No more early morning wake-up calls from a hungry cat demanding food.
Buying Guide for Automatic Cat Feeders
Food Storage Capacity
A big plus of an automatic feeder is not having to fill bowls daily. You don’t want to stress about your cat’s food supply. What’s the point of an automatic feeder if you still have to fill it every day?
Think about how many meals you want the feeder to hold. Always check a dispenser’s capacity. Pick one that can hold enough food for at least 2-3 days. If you’ll be away longer, go bigger.
To figure out what size you need, weigh one of your cat’s regular meals. Multiply that weight by how many meals your cat eats each day. This gives you the daily amount. Then, multiply that by the number of days you expect to be away. That’s your needed maximum capacity.
Wet or Dry Food
Most automatic feeders work best with dry food. We’ve tried wet food in them, and it can get messy fast. Also, wet food loses its freshness quickly.
If your cat only eats wet food, you must find a feeder made for it. Look for models with a cooling system or ice packs. These keep the food fresh while you’re out. Usually, you’ll freeze an ice pack and place it under the feeding bowl to keep things cool.
Setting Portion Sizes
Your cat’s food needs change over time. As they get older, they might need different amounts. You’ll want a feeder that can handle these changes.
Think about what your cat needs to eat. How much food should they get at each meal? This is super important if your cat is on a diet to lose weight. If you’re not sure, ask your vet for advice.
You might even use the feeder for training. If so, choose a model with features that help. For example, a feeder with voice recording could help your cat learn to come when you call, even when you’re not there.
Kibble Size Compatibility
Not all cat foods are the same size. Most pet owners change their cat’s food as they grow. Kittens, for example, eat smaller bits than adult cats.
It’s smart to pick a feeder that handles both small and large kibble. This way, you can use the same feeder for a long time. Make sure it works with the food your cat likes.
Also, measure the average size of your cat’s food. You need to know the feeder can drop those pieces without getting stuck. This is key, especially if you’re out of the house all day.
Making it Pet-Proof
When you buy a feeder, think about how tough it is. You don’t want your cat, no matter how clever, breaking in and eating all the food at once.
Also, you don’t want food spilled all over the floor. A good, pet-proof feeder stops this mess. Check the bowl size and how heavy or sturdy the feeder is. You need one that won’t easily tip over.
Setting Meal Schedules
Every automatic cat feeder lets you set meal times with a timer. Think about how long you’ll be leaving your cat alone. Also, consider if you might need to change their eating schedule when you’re away.
For example, cats often eat less when it’s warm. So, you might need to adjust portion sizes while you’re out. Usually, only feeders with mobile apps let you change your cat’s feeding schedule from far away.
Power Source: Mains or Battery
Most modern cat food dispensers plug into the wall. Many also have battery backup, just in case the power goes out. If you’ll be away from home for a long time, we suggest getting a feeder with this battery option. This way, your cat will always get fed, even if the lights go out.
Easy Cleaning
Before you pick an automatic cat feeder, think about how easy it is to clean. The food bowl can get germy quickly. You need to wash it often.
Look for a feeder with parts you can put in the dishwasher. This makes cleaning much simpler.
Special Considerations for Feeders
Most automatic cat feeders are made for one cat or homes without dogs. If that’s your situation, great! No worries.
But if you have many cats, or other pets that might get into the food, it can be tricky. For homes with multiple cats, look for feeders that use RFID chips. These feeders only open for a cat wearing a matching collar tag.
Also, remember to combine your automatic feeder with an indoor pet camera if you’re away for a long time. This way, you can check that the feeder is working and your cat is eating as usual. It gives you extra peace of mind.
