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TOP 10 Automatic Cat Feeders Tested & Reviewed!
Table of Contents
Are you a busy cat owner seeking a hassle-free feeding solution? Look no further! Our team of pet feeder experts, led by seasoned commerce editor Anna Mejorada, tested 24 top automatic pet feeders to find the best ones for your feline friend.
What to Look for in an Automatic Pet Feeder
When choosing an automatic pet feeder, consider reliability, portion accuracy, and user-friendly features. Our comprehensive testing process assessed timing, portion control, software, and more to ensure you find the perfect feeder for your cat’s needs.
Our Top Pick: PETLIBRO AIR WiFi Feeder
After months of testing, we recommend the PETLIBRO AIR WiFi Feeder as the best automatic pet feeder for most cats. This top-rated feeder excels with its long battery life and user-friendly app, making it an ideal choice for cat owners seeking a convenient feeding solution.
Benefits of Automatic Pet Feeders
– Stress-free mornings: Your cat learns to wait for breakfast by the feeder, rather than waking you up.
– Precise portions: Ensure your cat’s dietary needs are met with accurate portion control.
– Convenience: Feed your cat while away, with programmable feeding schedules.
Editor's Favorites
No 1. Top Choice
No 2 . Premium Pick
No 3 .Affordable Favorite
No 4 .Budget Alternative
No 5 .High-Capacity Option
No 6. On-the-Go Feeder
No 7 . Multi-Cat Solution
No 8 . Wet Food Expert
No 9 . Dog-Proof Feeder
No 10 . Long-Lasting Battery
No 1. Top Choice:
What We Love:
- Remarkably long-lasting battery power
- Intuitive and feature-rich mobile app
- Convenient USB-C charging with included wall adapter
- Seamless multi-device and user synchronization
What We Don’t Love:
- Limited storage capacity, a potential drawback
Extended battery recharge time of 8 hours, a notable inconvenience
The PETLIBRO AIR WiFi Feeder is a top-rated automatic pet feeder that offers a perfect blend of reliability, affordability, and smart features. Its Wi-Fi version boasts an impressive 5200mAh lithium-ion battery, providing power for 30 days on a single 8-hour charge, with battery life often exceeding expectations.
This compact and wireless cat feeder allows for effortless placement and relocation, while its rounded shape prevents tipping, making it stable and dependable. Programming is done via a simple and intuitive mobile app, where you can:
– Customize food portions (1/24 cup each)
– Schedule up to ten meals per day
– Easily toggle existing feeding schedules
– View feeding logs
– Sync multiple pet feeders and users
The app is ad-free and sends notifications to remind you to refill the 2-liter food reservoir or recharge the battery. The PETLIBRO AIR WiFi Feeder accommodates kibble sizes 2-15 millimeters and comes with a washable metal dish.
Key specifications include:
– Maximum Capacity: About 8.5 cups
– Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.4 x 7.1 inches
– Weight: 2.86 pounds
– Food Type: Dry food
– Power Source: 5200mAh rechargeable battery
This smart pet feeder provides a dependable and basic feeding solution with wireless notifications, making it an excellent choice for pet owners seeking a hassle-free feeding experience.
No 2 . Premium Pick
What We Love:
- Useful app and notifications
- 24-hour back-up battery
- Chew-resistant power cable
- Robust settings
- Easy to use interface
What We Don’t Love:
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Plastic serving bowl instead of metal or glass
- Takes up a lot of space
The Whisker Feeder-Robot is a top-of-the-line automatic cat feeder that stands out for its adaptability, intuitive feeding options, and exceptional app functionality. After extensive testing, we found it to be the most impressive smart cat feeder on the market, offering precise meal scheduling and serving increments.
This robotic cat feeder features a futuristic design that’s both sleek and user-friendly. Although its large size may be a concern for some pet owners, its stable and resistant to toppling design ensures it remains upright. Setup is effortless, taking around 15 minutes, including downloading and syncing the mobile app.
The Feeder-Robot offers flexible portion control options with two dispensers and a robust settings menu allowing up to eight daily servings. The “gravity mode” ensures the bowl remains full without overfeeding, and the reservoir holds up to 32 cups of dry food. An included Hopper Insert accommodates non-standard kibble.
Key Features:
– App notifications keep you informed of your cat’s feeding schedule and status
– Backup battery ensures continued operation during power outages
– Precise meal scheduling and serving increments
– Flexible portion control options with two dispensers
While the Feeder-Robot excels in features and effectiveness, its high price and large size may deter some cat owners. Additionally, the included plastic bowl is not dishwasher-safe and may cause skin allergies. A glass bowl is available separately.
Specifications:
– Maximum Capacity: 32 cups
– Dimensions: 15 x 12.5 x 13 inches
– Weight: 9 pounds
– Food Type: Dry food
– Power Source: Plug and backup battery
– Mobile App: Yes
The Whisker Feeder-Robot is available in four color combinations, with a 90-day in-home trial and 18-month warranty. Free shipping is offered for customers in the contiguous United States.
No 3 .Affordable Favorite
What We Love:
- Program up to six timers for food dispensing
- Power cord and backup batteries included
- Control buttons hidden behind panel, making it impossible for paws to change settings
- Press-to-release lid seals tightly to preserve the freshness and conceal scent of cat food
- Rotor design prevents pests from entering the food tank
What We Don’t Love:
- No screen indicator to confirm timers are set up as intended
- No Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile device app, or voice recording capability
The PETLIBRO Air Automatic Pet Feeder is a reliable and feature-rich timer feeder, ideal for pet owners seeking a convenient feeding solution. Although it lacks Wi-Fi connectivity and a mobile app, it offers a range of benefits, including:
– Efficient feeding: With a manual feeding button for larger servings and six programmable timers for customized feeding schedules.
– Continuous operation: Featuring a USB-C plug and backup batteries for uninterrupted feeding.
– Pest control: A rotating barrier prevents pests from accessing the food tank, and a press-to-release lid preserves freshness.
This timer feeder is easy to assemble and clean, with a stainless steel bowl and plastic tray. The battery life indicator ensures you’re always aware of the power status. Although it doesn’t offer Wi-Fi connectivity, the user-friendly buttons are concealed to prevent tampering.
Key Specifications:
– Maximum Capacity: 2 liters (~8 cups) or 6 liters (~25 cups)
– Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.1 x 12.2 inches (2 liters), 9.5 x 7.7 x 14.2 inches (6 liters)
– Weight: 2.9 pounds (2 liters), 3.9 pounds (6 liters)
– Food Type: Dry food
– Power Source: Plug-in and three D-cell batteries
No 4 .Budget Alternative
What We Love:
- Reliable battery backup for uninterrupted operation
- Convenient slot for food desiccant bag to maintain freshness
- Exceptional value for a fully featured automatic feeder
- Variety of models to suit specific needs and preferences
What We Don’t Love:
- Plastic bowl could be replaced with a more durable material
- Power adapter can be finicky to connect, requiring patience
- Ongoing expense of desiccant refills adds to overall cost
The PETLIBRO Automatic Pet Feeder is a reliable and convenient option for pet owners, offering various configurations at an affordable price. This pet food dispenser features:
– Easy programming: With an LCD screen and power adapter for uninterrupted feeding, plus battery backup for continued operation during power outages.
– Customizable feeding: Up to four daily feedings with adjustable portion sizes, and a recorded message to call your cat for meals.
– Moisture control: A desiccant bag slot to keep kibble dry, ideal for pet owners living in humid climates.
Although the feeder has some limitations, such as limited flexibility for different schedules on weekends and a 24-hour clock that may take some getting used to, it remains an excellent feeder for its price. Our testers did note that the food reservoir can be tricky to open and clean, and the feeder’s stability could be improved.
Key Benefits:
– Reliable feeding: With power adapter and battery backup for uninterrupted feeding.
– Customizable: With adjustable portion sizes and recorded message for meals.
– Affordable: With various configurations available at a budget-friendly price.
If you’re looking for additional features, consider the Wi-Fi enabled version with a stainless steel bowl and app connectivity for remote monitoring and control.
Specifications:
– Food Type: Dry food
– Power Source: Power adapter and battery backup
This automatic pet feeder is a great option for pet owners seeking a reliable and convenient feeding solution at an affordable price.
No 5 .High-Capacity Option
What We Love:
- The feeder’s sleek and modern design, which can hold up to 7 pounds of cat food (less than 30 cups)
- How easy it is to clean the internal basket and serving bowl, making maintenance a breeze
- The pet-proof programming buttons, which prevent curious pets from accessing the settings
- The option to record a personalized voice message to play during scheduled feedings, adding a touch of warmth and comfort for your pet
What We Don’t Love:
- That larger kibble sizes (such as dog food) may not dispense as easily
- The initial programming process, which can be tedious and time-consuming (though subsequent changes are simpler)
The Wopet Automatic Pet Feeder is a reliable and feature-rich option for pet owners, boasting a spacious 7-pound capacity perfect for pets with hearty appetites. Its slim design ensures a clutter-free space, while the quick assembly process makes setup effortless.
Key Features:
– Customizable feedings: With multiple programming options and manual adjustments for tailored feeding schedules.
– Secure keypad: Prevents curious pets from tampering with the schedule, ensuring consistent feeding.
– Dual power sources: Provides added peace of mind and ensures continued operation during power outages.
– Voice recording feature: Allows for personalized meal calls, adding a touch of convenience.
This pet food dispenser also features a manual feeding option and an easy-to-clean design, making maintenance hassle-free. Its sturdy build ensures durability, and our tests showed that smaller kibble sizes worked best.
Benefits:
– Reliable feeding: With dual power sources and a secure keypad for uninterrupted feeding.
– Customization: With programmable feedings and manual adjustments for tailored feeding schedules.
– Convenience: With a voice recording feature and manual feeding option for added flexibility.
Overall, the Wopet Automatic Pet Feeder is a feature-rich and reliable option for pet owners seeking a convenient feeding solution.
Specifications:
– Capacity: 7 pounds
– Design: Slim and compact
– Power Source: Dual power sources
– Food Type: Dry food
No 6. On-the-Go Feeder
What We Love:
- The versatility of this automatic feeder, compatible with both wet and dry cat food
- The option to add ice packs, keeping your cat’s meals fresh for hours
- The lightweight and portable design, making it easy to move around
- The straightforward functionality, with no complicated settings or programming required
- The convenience of battery power, eliminating the need to hide a power cord
What We Don’t Love:
- The timer’s lack of precision compared to other automatic feeders on our list
The Cat Mate C200 2 Meal Automatic Cat Feeder is a reliable and lightweight option for cat owners seeking to maintain their pet’s feeding schedule while traveling. This pet food dispenser features:
– Dual compartments: Holding up to 1.5 cups of wet or dry food each, perfect for flexible feeding.
– Single AA battery operation: Making it portable and easy to use anywhere.
– Ice pack spot: Keeping perishable items fresh, ideal for cat owners who need to store wet food.
– Simple interface: With a delay option up to 48 hours, allowing for customized feeding schedules.
Although this feeder lacks precision programming, with options limited to the hour, it provides a reliable solution for cat owners on-the-go. Its compact design and battery operation make it easy to use anywhere.
Key Benefits:
– Reliable feeding: With a simple interface and delay option for customized feeding schedules.
– Portable: Operating on a single AA battery, making it easy to take on trips.
– Fresh food storage: With an ice pack spot for keeping perishable items fresh.
Specifications:
– Capacity: 3 cups (1.5 cups per bowl)
– Power Source: Single AA battery
– Food Type: Wet or dry food
– Design: Lightweight and compact
This automatic cat feeder is a great option for cat owners seeking a reliable and portable feeding solution while traveling.
No 7 . Multi-Cat Solution
What We Love:
- The durable stainless steel bowls that make cleaning and maintenance a breeze
- How easy it is to program the feeder for customized feeding schedules
- The precise portion controls that allow for tailored feeding
- The reliable battery backup that ensures uninterrupted operation
What We Don’t Love:
- The reliable battery backup that ensures uninterrupted operation
The PETLIBRO Granary Automatic Cat Feeder for Two Cats is our top recommendation for multi-cat households. After thorough testing, we found its separate stainless steel bowls, intuitive programming, and digital display make it a standout.
Key Features:
– Dual feeding stations: With separate stainless steel bowls for each cat, ensuring clean feeding and reducing competition.
– Customizable feeding: With up to ten meals per day and adjustable portion control, allowing for tailored feeding schedules.
– Convenient features: Including battery backup, manual feeding, and voice recording, making it easy to use and manage.
– Secure design: With a silo design and locking lid, keeping curious cats out and food fresh.
Our testers preferred the PETLIBRO Granary over other models due to its ease of use and design. Although the meal splitter adjustment can be tricky, the benefits far outweigh this minor drawback.
Benefits:
– Multi-cat support: With separate feeding stations and customizable feeding schedules.
– Reliable feeding: With battery backup and manual feeding options, ensuring uninterrupted feeding.
– Fresh food storage: With a desiccant bag compatibility, keeping food fresh and dry.
Specifications:
– Maximum Capacity: 5 liters
– Dimensions: 13.6 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches
– Weight: 4.4 pounds
– Food Type: Dry food
This automatic cat feeder is ideal for multi-cat households seeking a reliable and customizable feeding solution.
No 8 . Wet Food Expert
What We Love:
- The convenient ice packs that keep wet food fresh for a longer period
- The versatility of the feeder, suitable for both wet and dry food
- The ease of cleaning, with dishwasher-safe parts
What We Don’t Love:
- The lack of an outlet plug, requiring batteries as the only power source
The Cat Mate C500 Digital 5 Meal Dog & Cat Feeder is a convenient solution for pet owners seeking to schedule mealtimes for their cats. This automatic pet feeder features a rotating, multi-compartment tray that allows for easy loading of semi-wet or wet food, and the included ice packs keep food fresh for up to 24 hours.
Key Benefits:
– Scheduled mealtimes: With up to 5 scheduled meals, allowing pet owners to manage their cat’s feeding schedule with ease.
– Fresh food storage: With ice packs that keep food fresh for up to 24 hours, ideal for wet food or semi-wet food.
– Easy programming: With a straightforward interface, making it simple to set and manage feeding schedules.
This pet food dispenser is ideal for cat owners who want to:
– Avoid early morning wake-ups by scheduling mealtimes
– Provide a serving of food when working late
– Manage their cat’s feeding schedule with ease
Specifications:
– Maximum Capacity: 1.7 liters
– Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.89 x 3.7 inches
– Weight: 14.8 ounces
– Food Type: Semi-wet or wet food
– Number of Meals: Up to 5 scheduled meals
This automatic pet feeder is a great option for pet owners seeking a convenient and reliable feeding solution for their cats.
No 9 . Dog-Proof Feeder
What We Love:
- The effortless programming process
- The included microchips and RFID tag for seamless functionality
- The innovative training function that acclimates your cat to the feeder
- The futuristic design that resembles a space-age feeding station
- The convenient split bowl feature
What We Don’t Love:
- The use of a plastic bowl instead of a more durable material
- The lack of an outlet plug, requiring battery power only
- The absence of a useful accessory that would enhance the overall experience
The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is a revolutionary solution for pet owners with multiple cats on different diets. This innovative feeder uses microchip or RFID tag identification to restrict access to specific cats, ensuring each cat only receives their designated food.
Key Features:
– Secure identification: Using microchip or RFID tag technology to prevent unauthorized access to food.
– Multi-cat support: Suitable for up to 32 cats with different dietary needs, making it ideal for households with cats on special diets.
– Easy setup: With quick programming (less than 5 minutes) and a smooth, futuristic sliding door for easy access.
– Flexible feeding: Compatible with wet and dry food, and features a split bowl for serving two separate portions.
Benefits:
– Prevents overeating: By restricting access to specific cats and their designated food.
– Suitable for special diets: Ideal for households with cats on prescription diets or weight management plans.
– Keeps food fresh: With a covered design that protects food from flies and keeps wet food fresh.
Specifications:
– Bowl Capacity: Small capacity (not suitable for multi-day feeding)
– Power Source: Battery-powered (4 C cell batteries with 6-month life)
– Design: Open back design (optional rear cover available for purchase)
This microchip pet feeder is a great option for pet owners seeking a secure and innovative feeding solution for their multiple cats with different dietary needs
No 10 . Long-Lasting Battery
What We Love:
- The effortless programming process that makes setup a breeze
- The secure locking lid that keeps curious pets out
- The impressive 9-month battery life that minimizes maintenance
- The convenience of dishwasher-safe major components for easy cleaning
What We Don’t Love:
- The use of a plastic bowl, which may not be as durable as other materials
- The limited programming options, which may not accommodate complex feeding schedules
The PetSafe Six Meal Feeder is a reliable and convenient automatic cat feeder that operates solely on battery power, utilizing 4 D-cell batteries. This battery-powered feeder offers maximum flexibility, allowing placement anywhere without being restricted by a power outlet.
Key Features:
– Easy programming: With up to six daily feeding times and a separate button for immediate feeding.
– Customizable portions: With adjustable portion sizes up to one cup per meal.
– Tactile buttons: Providing a user-friendly interface for easy programming and operation.
– Dishwasher-safe bowl: Made from BPA-free materials, ensuring easy cleaning and maintenance.
Benefits:
– Portable: With battery power, allowing placement anywhere without being restricted by a power outlet.
– Reliable operation: With a battery life of up to 9 months, minimizing the risk of power loss during trips.
– Easy to use: With straightforward programming and a no-frills design.
Specifications:
– Power Source: 4 D-cell batteries
– Number of Meals: Up to 6 daily feeding times
– Portion Size: Up to one cup per meal
– Bowl Material: BPA-free, dishwasher-safe
This automatic cat feeder is a solid choice for basic feeding needs, offering reliable performance and easy maintenance. Although it may not accommodate complex meal plans, its simplicity and ease of use make it a great option for pet owners seeking a straightforward feeding solution.
Top Automatic Cat Feeders for Your Feline Friend
After thorough testing, our top pick is the PETLIBRO Air Wi-Fi Feeder, offering affordability, compact design, and a useful app for scheduling feedings and notifications. We also recommend the PETLIBRO AIR Automatic Pet Feeder as a budget-friendly option and the Whisker Feeder-Robot for its precise programming and user-friendly app.
How We Tested
The Animal Kingdom tested 24 automatic cat feeders in our lab and real homes, evaluating setup, programming, and performance. Our testers assessed design, features, and ease of use, providing ratings and feedback.
What to Look for in an Automatic Cat Feeder
When choosing an automatic cat feeder, consider the following factors:
– Size: capacity and footprint
– Features: battery backup, stainless steel bowls, clear reservoirs, and programming options
– Ease of use: intuitive interface and helpful information displays
Frequently Asked Questions
– How do automatic cat feeders work? They hold and distribute food at set times, using timers and doors or rotating trays.
– Can multiple cats share a feeder? It’s possible but may lead to feeding issues; consider separate feeders or models with multiple bowls.
– How much food can an automatic cat feeder hold? Capacities vary; we provide maximum capacity for each recommended feeder.
Why Trust The Animal Kingdom?
Our team, including experienced pet owners and a veterinary technician, thoroughly researches and tests products to provide expert recommendations. We prioritize the needs of your feline friend, ensuring our top picks meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
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