An automatic cat feeder is a very practical device that helps you control the amount of food your cat consumes.
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Top 5 automatic cat feeders in the UK in 2024
An automatic cat feeder is a very practical device that makes the lives of cat owners easier. Your little gourmand receives his or her meals at fixed times and eats only as much as they need.
What is an automatic cat feeder? Which one should you buy? You want the best for your pet, so you probably have many questions. Cats like to stick to their habits, so an automatic feeder is a perfect solution to keep them on a routine.
With its non-slip feet, this device gives them their meals at fixed times, always in the same quantity. Some models even sound a buzzer to let your pet know when it's time for kibble. There are models that also dispense fresh water; other models have multiple reservoirs and dispense wet food such as paté. If you have a gluttonous cat, you can control the amount of kibble eaten each day to help him or her lose weight.
Are you looking to adopt a kitten? We’ve compared several feeder models to help you find the best one.
Summary
What is an automatic cat feeder?
A cat feeder is a device that automatically fills your cat's bowl. This way, your furry friend can always eat their meal on time, even if you are not home or running late.
This type of device consists of a large compartment in which the kibbles are stored. The feeder also has a bowl within the cat’s reach. This is where the kibble is automatically poured at feeding times.
The largest cat feeders can hold several kilograms of food in their reservoir and have a capacity of 90 meals.
How does an automatic cat feeder work?
Cat food dispensers work automatically. The food is poured into the pet's bowl when it is empty or a certain amount of food is released according to a specific schedule.
The cat does not have to do anything. However, there are models that encourage the pet to play with a button to make the food fall out.
This is very practical because you can control the amount of food your cat is fed. If your cat is a little overweight, you can reduce the serving. If your cat is still growing, you can increase the amount slightly.
Some feeder models come with microchips. These are ideal for households with several pets, as they prevent the hairballs from stealing each other's kibble.
Why buy an automatic feeder?
A cat feeder allows you to give your pet a certain amount of food. You can control the amount of kibble if your pet is food-obsessed.
An automatic feeder also comes in handy if you are away for the weekend. Simply program the device to feed your cat at specific times.
With a non-slip base, this type of device is impossible to tip over, even if you have a fidgety pet. That is a real advantage over a simple bowl that is easy to knock over.
An automatic feeder allows the cat to stick to a feeding routine. This is excellent for their mental well-being. In addition, the animal does not get into the habit of begging for food at random times.
How to choose an automatic feeder?
To choose the best model for your cat, you need to take into account your budget and your cat's profile. For young cats that spend a lot of time playing, a manual feeder is quite sufficient. The kitten will help themselves when hungry, but then burn the consumed calories running around.
If your cat is a little older and tends to put on weight, opt for a programmable feeder. This way, the machine will only feed a certain amount of kibble to your cat.
Pay attention to the size of the reservoir. If you have several cats and happen to go away for a whole weekend, you need to be able to prepare enough kibble to feed your animals for those two days. You also need a stable device, so that the cats can eat safely.
There are 2-in-1 cat feeders that dispense both kibble and fresh water. This is a perfect solution for cats that prefer very clean water.
There are even state-of-the-art models that can record your voice to comfort your cat when you are away.
You can use comparison websites to check out the best-selling cat feeders. You can also ask your pet's breeder for their opinion and check out the tests and guides available online.
What types of automatic feeders for cats are available?
There are two main types of cat food dispensers: programmable and non-programmable.
Programmable models are ideal if your cat is slightly overweight and you need to control the amount of food they consume. You can control the serving poured into the bowl. This type of feeder can also be programmed to run at set times. This is the perfect solution if you need to go away for the weekend every now and then! This way you can plan your little feline's meals over the course of the two days, so that they don’t miss anything.
Programmable feeders also include multi-compartment feeders. These can be filled with kibble, canned food or other foods to give your cat a variety of meals.
Non-programmable manual feeders dispense the kibble as the bowl empties. They are inexpensive, but not suitable for cats that tend to overeat. This is because the cat can help itself to the food at any time throughout the day.
