Automatic cat feeder with dispenser: buying guide

In what cases should you consider buying an automatic feeder (feeder):

• Are you tired of getting up in the morning to feed your cat?

• Want to teach your pet to eat by the hour or are struggling with his excess weight;

• The pet takes medications that need to be eaten regularly;

• Departure from 2 to 18 days.

Automatic Cat Feeders Essentials

Before buying, answer the following questions to understand which criteria are important to you:

• How long should a cat eat without you (a day, several days, a week, more than a week)?

• Does your home experience power outages or not?

• Does serving size matter at a time, or is your pet not overeating?

• Should pets eat wet food?

• Should the feeder create the effect of your presence, or is its function just to feed?

Keep in mind the answers to these questions, and the article will help you decide on the choice of model.

We made a detailed analysis of each type and highlighted the top 10 automatic cat feeders. In our opinion, the Petkit Fresh Element Mini automatic feeder with a timer will be the best option for most cat owners and their cats. She can:

• feed your pet dry food for two weeks;

• not overloaded with unnecessary functions;

• looks like a modern smart device that will fit into any room.

How automatic cat feeders work

Feeders can be automatic or mechanical. Mechanical looks like a top container and a bowl. Gradually, the feed is poured down from the upper volume. The feeder is easy to use, inexpensive and does not depend on electricity. You can leave the animal with it for a couple of days; you can feed one or even a company of cats in a country house or on the street.

The automatic feeder is simple and the principle of operation. This is a container for dry or wet food with a valve that opens on a schedule. You can program the schedule directly on the device or through the application in the smartphone. In simpler versions, the schedule is programmed for the whole day (or more) and cannot be changed. In more complex models, the feeding schedule can be adjusted throughout the day via a smartphone app.

Types of feeders

• Top container with a bowl underneath. In this case, it is important that the structure is heavy, otherwise a curious cat can turn it over;

• Single container with hinged lid. When it rises, the cat has access to food, but the portion size is not controlled;

• Flat bowl feeder with portioned sectors. The lid has one opening and, turning, over and over again opens new segments with food. Such feeders are difficult to overturn, but it is designed for a maximum of 4-6 meals.

If you leave the animal for two days or more, we advise you to look at automated feeders with a dispenser, in this case you will be able to determine the portion size daily during your absence.

Types of automatic feeders

There are several types of dispenser feeders, which differ from each other in terms of the arrangement of the feed dispensing mechanism and the complexity of the technical equipment.

Automatic cat feeder with timer

The most versatile are automatic feeders with a timer. They usually have the function of programming the exact time for serving food, as well as a cat food dispenser.

Automatic feeder with camera

Some feeders not only give out food on a schedule, but create a real effect of the owner’s presence while he is not at home. A video surveillance system is installed on such feeders, which allows a person to monitor their pet, take pictures of it, and shoot it on video. Also, these feeders are often equipped with a two-way audio function, which allows the owner to talk with the cat, call for dinner, listen to his purr while eating.

Automatic feeder with ice pack

The principle of operation of these feeders is not different from the others, but they are equipped with an additional cooling system that allows you to keep the freshness of wet food for some time.

Automatic drinker

In addition to automatic feeders, there are automatic drinkers, the principle of operation of which is similar. They supply enough water to the pet at the designated intervals. The most advanced models are equipped with carbon filters, made of antibacterial plastic and enrich the water with oxygen. They can be both in the form of a can with a bowl, and in the form of a fountain.

What to look for when choosing?

When choosing an automatic cat feeder, consider the means, your needs, and your goals. You may not need expensive video-recorded models if you just want to provide your cat with food during your work day. However, regardless of the technical equipment, there are a number of features that you should pay attention to when choosing any feeder:

• Roomy container. Calculate how long you will be away from home and how much your cat should eat during this time. The food container must be of sufficient size so that the animal has enough food;

• Security. The bowl should be made of quality materials, ideally stainless steel;

• The weight. The device must be stable so that the animal does not accidentally knock it over;

• Device power type – from the network or from batteries;

• Shutter sound. Sometimes it happens that cats are initially afraid of the sound of an automatic feeder, so give your pet time to get used to it, or change the model.

An overview of popular models of feeders with a dispenser for cats

In this roundup, we’ve rounded up the top 10 automatic cat dispensers so you can find the perfect feeder for your pet.

10 place. Ferplast Cometa Bowl

Photo feeder Ferplast Cometa Bowl from the store int.ferplast.com

This automatic lid feeder with timer is one of the best budget options. It has a capacity of 0,4 liters and the possibility of programming up to 44 hours. This feeder can be used if you leave the animal for a couple of days.

Pros: affordable price; stable; removable bowl; ease of use; timer.

Cons: not suitable for wet food; does not control portion size; small bowl size.

9 place. Feed Ex with LCD display and ice bin

Photo of Feed Ex feeder with LCD display and ice bin from www.feedex.ru

This feeder has four compartments with a total volume of 2 liters. The lid rotates, thereby opening access to food. The convenient small display shows time and level of a charge of batteries.

Pros: capacious bowl; cooling system; suitable for dry and wet food; timer; recording voice messages; affordable price.

Cons: the feeding regimen can be built either once for 4 days, or twice for 2 days, which is not suitable for everyone, so leaving the cat with her for a long time will not work.

8 place. Feed Ex for dry food

Photo feeder Feed Ex for dry food from the store www.feedex.ru

This feeder with a container capacity of up to 2 kg is only suitable for dry food. Using the timer, you can set the number of servings for a period of 1 to 99 days.

Pros: large volume of the tank; ease of operation; affordable price; recording voice messages; sensory overfill protection; removable bowl.

Cons: dry food only.

7 place. Large automatic feeder Feed Ex

Photo of a large automatic feeder Feed Ex from the store www.feedex.ru

This is the most capacious feeder presented in this review. It is suitable for those who need to set up a feeding system for a long time. The huge tank holds up to 10 kg of dry food and dispenses 1 to 8 servings per day.

Pros: large volume of the container; ease of use; Choice of portion sizes reliable cover and stability; removable bowl.

Cons: works from the network, so it may be inconvenient for location away from outlets; a long wire with which a cat can play and damage the power system; only suitable for dry food.

6 place. SITITEK Pets Maxi with timer

Photo feeder SITITEK Pets Maxi from the store www.sititek.ru

This is a capacious feeder with a total volume of 2 liters with 6 sectors that open on a timer. You can choose several feeding regimens, up to 6 days.

Pros: capacious; easy to understand; suitable for both dry and wet food; small display; recording voice messages; affordable price.

Cons: a maximum of 6 servings, which may not be enough; there is no cooling system, so it is undesirable to leave wet food in it for a long time.

5 place. Petwant PF-102

Photo feeder Petwant PF-102 from the store petwant.ru

A more advanced model with touch controls and a stylish design. The capacity of the bowl is 4,3 liters.

Pros: large reservoir; beautiful appearance; LCD display and touch control; timer; voice messages; retains the memory of the feeding mode in the event of a power failure.

Cons: only for dry food; high price.

4 place. Petwant PF-105

Photo feeder Petwant PF-105 from the store petwant.ru

The feeder has 5 sectors of 240 ml each and a rotating lid.

Pros: convenient to use; easy to understand; beautiful modern design; works from batteries and from a network; stable; made of quality materials; recording voice messages.

Cons: small volume; no wet food cooling system; maximum 6 servings; the cost is higher than that of analogues.

3 place. Petoneer Nutri Vision Feeder

Photo feeder Petoneer Nutri Vision Feeder from petoneer.ru

This is a smart device with a volume of 3,7 liters, with a built-in video camera, with a night vision function. The app will send you a push notification if the pet presses the feed button on its own and eats without your permission.

Pros: It is possible to take photos and record videos via the cloud, talk with a pet and listen to its voice using two-way audio; Hidden slot for external battery for battery life.

Cons: only for dry food; high price.

2 place. SITITEK Pets Pro Plus

Photo feeder SITITEK Pets Pro Plus from the store www.sititek.ru

Another advanced smart device with remote control through the Hoison app. The container holds up to 2 kg of food.

Pros: smart system for setting the feeding mode automatically or via a smartphone (the application can be installed on several devices at once); connection via Wi-Fi; capacious bowl; modern design; lighting at night; two-way audio; pet camcorder online.

Cons: works only from the network; only for dry food; only the Chinese version of the Hoison app is currently available; high price.

1 place. Petkit Fresh Element Mini

Photo feeder Petkit Fresh Element Mini from the store petkit.com.ru

This feeder was the winner of our review. It combines high quality, versatility and nice design. The volume of the bowl is 1,5 kg, it is enough for two weeks of feeding.

Pros: sufficient volume; compact dimensions; thoughtful design; smart timer; setting a diet or selecting an individual diet through the application; container tightness and desiccant; antibacterial materials; anti-shock bowl on a magnet; lockable cover.

Cons: only suitable for dry food; mains power only.

December 18 2020

Updated: 26 March 2021