These Automatic Cat Feeders Allow You to Actually Sleep In (or Stay Out)

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If you're a cat person, you likely appreciate the independent nature of most felines. While cat parents reap the benefits of kitty cuddles, playtime, adorable kneading and purrs, there's also the added pro of not needing to take your cat out on walks or give it baths. On the flip side, you probably experience the dreaded cat alarm clock phenomenon at the crack of dawn, or whatever ungodly hour your beloved pet decides it's time to eat. (The same goes for dinnertime.) That's where an automatic cat feeder comes in.

Whether you want to be able to sleep in peace in the morning or you'd like to go out for drinks after work without having to run home and feed your cat, the best automatic cat feeders give you more freedom and flexibility as a pet owner. They're also ideal for cats on strict diets, since they measure out an exact serving of food to prevent overeating. With innovative feeders made for both wet and dry cat food, these devices come in handy for daily feedings and trips away.

Like cat water fountains, automatic cat feeders range in price depending on their materials, capacity, tech capabilities, and added features. Our list includes the best options at a number of price points, for one cat or multiple, so you can choose the feeder that's right for you.

As with a self-cleaning litter box, if you have the means to invest in an automatic pet feeder, you won't regret making the switch. You'll only wonder what took you so long in the first place.

Feeder-Robot

Whisker's Feeder-Robot is what I currently use for my two cats at home. It has a large capacity, so it takes up more room than some of the smaller automatic feeders on this list, but I don't have to refill it very often. When the food is running low, the light on top changes from blue to green, so you can easily tell. The reservoir is also translucent, so you can keep an eye on the levels that way. And, the Whisker app always displays the percentage full. I appreciated how easy it was to add my Feeder-Robot to the Whisker app, which I already use for my Litter-Robot.

Through the app, you can create a feeding schedule containing multiple meals, each of which can be programmed with the amount of food and the time you want it to be dispensed. You can add or remove days, as well as pause meals and easily resume them through the app as well. I have mine set to dispense dry food for breakfast and a late night snack, since I manually feed my cats wet food in the evenings. But if I'm away for the night or know I won't be home until late, I can turn on the dry food dinner serving from anywhere using the app.

There's also the option to use gravity feeding mode that keeps the bowl full, and an option to "give a snack," which automatically dispenses a one-time serving when you select it. If you prefer not to use the app, there is a control panel keypad on the feeder itself, with buttons for scheduling, gravity mode, and dispensing manual servings. If you're worried about your cat pressing the buttons, you can lock the control panel.

My cats are very determined (read: will use their paws to try to get extra food out or simply knock over automatic feeders), and they've been unable to make this one budge. The bowl is wide and deep enough for both cats to comfortably eat at the same time.

The one downside is that the Feeder-Robot comes with a plastic bowl which is not dishwasher safe. Most vets recommend stainless steel food bowls due to the material's resistance to bacteria. You can purchase a glass bowl separately for an additional $30, but that feels pretty steep in addition to the already pricey unit.

Capacity: 32 cups | Dimensions: 15"H x 12.5"D x 13"W | Weight: 9 pounds | Food Type: Dry | Power Source: Plug and back-up battery (sold separately) | Mobile App: Yes

Automatic Cat Feeder

Automatic feeders with all the bells and whistles can cost you a pretty penny. If you're looking for a basic automatic cat feeder that's still highly-rated and easy to use, PETLIBRO's is the number one bestseller on Amazon.

It features the option to plug into the wall or run on battery, with a 180-day battery life. A low food indicator will flash when it's time to refill.

Capacity: 2 liters (8.45 cups) | Dimensions: 7.68"H x 7.68"D x 11.42"W | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Food Type: Dry | Power Source: Plug-in and D-cell alkaline batteries | Mobile App: No

Automatic Cat Feeder

This is the automatic feeder I used for my two cats before I upgraded to the Feeder-Robot, and it works great. One of my cats is much pushier than the other, so when they share one bowl, he always ends up eating more. I really appreciate how with this feeder's splitter and two-bowl setup, both of my cats can easily eat at the same time. The stainless steel bowl inserts are spacious and easy to clean.

There's a built-in voice recorder so you can program a message to alert your pets that it's dinnertime, but there's also the option to have the feeder go off without it. It did take me a bit to figure out how to turn off the voice recording.

Capacity: 13 cups | Dimensions: 10.04"H x 7.8"D x 14.17"W | Weight: 4.85 pounds | Food Type: Dry | Power Source: Plug-in power adapter and D back-up batteries | Mobile App: Yes ($75 Wi-Fi model)

C500

For an automatic cat feeder that works with wet food as well as dry, the Cat Mate C500 is a clear winner. It has five separate compartments which you can program for different times using the LCD display. The feeder rotates to reveal each portion at your selected time. There's also space for ice packs to keep wet food fresher for longer. The lid and bowl are dishwasher-safe.

If your cats are picky like mine, they may turn their noses up at the wet food after a number of hours — even with the ice packs. Using an automatic cat feeder for wet food is tough in general, but this one does the best job of those I've tried. When you really can't be there to dish out wet food manually, the Cat Mate automatic feeder works in a pinch.

Capacity: 1.7 liters | Dimensions: 12.2"H x 11.89"W x 3.7"D | Weight: 14.8 ounces | Food Type: Wet or dry | Power Source: 3 AA batteries | Mobile App: No

Automatic Cat Feeder With Camera

For the ultimate way to monitor your cat's eating habits, try this camera-enabled automatic cat feeder. A built-in HD camera boasts a 120-degree, wide-angle view. You can watch the video feed on your smartphone through the app. Like some of the other high-tech automatic feeders, you can program this one to play a pre-recorded message before each meal is served. What's extra unique about the Wopet feeder is that you can also talk to your pet in real time using the camera.

Capacity: 29 cups | Dimensions: 8"H x 7"W x 13"D | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Food Type: Dry | Power Source: Power adapter or 3 D batteries | Mobile App: Yes

What to look for when shopping for an automatic cat feeder

✔️ Capacity: When selecting an automatic feeder, consider how often you'll be programming feedings, and for how many pets, so that you aren't constantly needing to refill the reservoir.

✔️ Ease of use: There may be a learning curve with the programming of some automatic feeders, so read through the reviews to make sure that the one you choose is simple to set up, make adjustments to, and control via the app, if applicable.

✔️ Materials: Look for a durable feeder that a curious cat can't easily knock over, break into, or scratch up. Consider dishwasher-safe materials for easier and more effective cleaning to keep your pet healthy.

✔️ Durability: Look for a durable feeder that a curious cat can't easily knock over, break into, or scratch up. If there is a cord, keep an eye out for chew-proof materials.

✔️ Features: Some automatic cat feeders include special features, like Wi-Fi capabilities, the ability to record your voice and play a message for your pet, built-in cameras, and more. Depending on the features that appeal to you, you may want to invest in a higher tech model.

FAQ

• How do automatic cat feeders work?
  Once programmed, automatic cat feeders dispense your cat's food according to a customized schedule. Setup is done either through a Wi-Fi-connected app or on the unit's digital control panel. You can select the times you want each meal to be dispensed, along with the amount of food per serving. Automatic feeders let you program multiple meal times per day.

• How do you clean an automatic cat feeder?
  Most automatic cat feeders can be taken apart so you can clean them inside and out, which should be done regularly to prevent bacteria build-up that can make your cat sick. You should wash the food bowl even more often, either by hand with soap and water or in the dishwasher if the material allows.

• Can multiple cats share an automatic cat feeder?
  Depending on their personalities and eating habits, it can be tricky to ensure that multiple cats are being fed the same amount when using an automatic feeder. There are options with a splitter and two bowls, including one on this list, as well as camera-enabled feeders that can help you keep an eye on who's actually eating. Or, you can purchase multiple automatic feeders, which some pet owners prefer to do.

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