Best Automatic Cat Feeders with a Timer 2020: the Choice of Busy Cat Parents
Regular and sufficient nutrition is essential for a cat’s health and well-being. But following a meal plan can be quite a challenge if you work outside the home all day long or have irregular working hours or have to go on business trips. Happily, there is a solution for loving cat parents who can’t provide regular feeding to their kitties. This solution is known as an automatic cat feeder or food dispenser. In this guide, we are going to review the best automatic cat feeders with the feature of a timer.
Table of Contents:
What is an Automatic Cat Feeder and How to Use It
The Best Automatic Cat Feeders with Timers: a Comparative Chart
The Best Products in the Category of Automatic Cat Feeders with Timers: Our Choice
1. WOpet 7L Automatic Pet Feeder
2. Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder, CSF-3
3. Currens Automatic Cat Feeder
4. Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder
5. Iseebiz Automatic Cat Feeder
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips on Automatic Cat Feeder Maintenance
Verdict and Recommendations
What is an Automatic Cat Feeder and How to Use It
An automatic cat feeder is a device that automatically dispenses a certain amount of pre-loaded food at certain time intervals. They vary in terms of their features, capacity, and types of food they are compatible with. A general mechanism of action of a cat feeder with a timer is the following: you load cat food (usually dry) in a large container, preset the size of one portion, the number of portions per day, and the time intervals between the meals. Some feeders have the feature of delayed start. Thus, your pet gets its meals as scheduled even when you are away.
The Best Automatic Cat Feeders with Timers: a Comparative Chart
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best Choice  | WOpet 7L Automatic Pet Feeder
| Check Price |
Also great  | Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder
| Check Price |
Also great  | Currens Automatic Cat Feeder
| Check Price |
Also great  | Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder
| Check Price |
Also great  | Iseebiz Automatic Cat Feeder
| Check Price |
The Best Products in the Category of Automatic Cat Feeders with Timers: Our Choice
When it comes to choosing an automatic feeder, there are quite a few things to consider. Our list of top automatic cat feeders with timers includes five convenient and reliable options that are chosen by real cat owners for multiple reasons. We hope our recommendations will come useful to you.
WOpet 7L Automatic Pet Feeder
Review
This is a simple, fully adjustable feeder, which allows to schedule up to 4 meals per day and change the size of one portion depending on your pet’s needs. Thanks to a large LCD display, the device is very easy to set up. There is an option of voice recording, so you can call your friend with your own voice every time.
What we think
This auto-feeder gives a lot of freedom in terms of meal size adjustment. The food rotator comes in two sizes; each of them allows to program the meal size – from 1 to 39 portions. Setting up the feeder is a sort of complicated, but once set up properly, it does its job well.
PROS
- fully customizable;
- electricity or battery-powered;
- the voice recording option available;
- a large container.
CONS
- unclear instructions;
- not easy to set up.
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Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder, CSF-3
Review
Super Feeder is a well-established brand that has been around for 23 years. This is a fully adjustable device with an analog timer and an expandable container, which holds 5 through 7 cups of dry food (an extension is bought separately.) The feeder is versatile, easy to use and clean – perfect for those, whose pets need to keep to a strict diet. It can dispense up to 48 meals per day (one meal every 15 minutes!)
What we think
The strong points of CSF-3 are its versatility and simplicity. Instead of relying on a complicated digital system, it uses a plain but reliable analog timer. The device is compatible with a home automation system. That said, it is quite expensive and is supplied with no useful accessories.
PROS
- versatile and easy to use;
- a large container can be further extended;
- compatible with numerous extras;
- spare parts are easily found on sale.
CONS
- it comes bare, with no accessories or extensions included.
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Currens Automatic Cat Feeder
Review
This is a compact versatile auto-feeder with a large LCD display and a precise food dispenser. It allows to split the daily amount of food into 4 meals and preset the size of one meal. The feature of voice recording allows creating custom messages for your pet.
What we think
The device is quite easy to program, thanks to its large LCD display. The container holds up to 1.5 gallons (or 4.5 cups) of dry food, which is pretty good. As for the drawbacks, the user manual could be more detailed, and the warranty terms are unclear.
PROS
- affordable and easy to use;
- sleek design;
- fully customizable.
CONS
- warranty terms are unclear;
- the user manual is sketchy.
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Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder
Review
Arf Pets Feeder is a sleek modern device, which takes care of your 4-legged friends while you are away. This is a fully customizable feeder that comes with a bright LCD display and some useful features, such as voice recording and a beeping signal that the feeder produces once it is empty. It features a precise digital timer, which is used to break the daily amount of food into smaller portions in the pre-programmed time intervals.
What we think
The feeder honestly works as advertised. It is really easy to set up: the display is large enough and the buttons are perfectly readable. We don’t like the tray design – many pets have trouble trying to get food from its corners. We’d prefer the bowl was slightly sloped or round.
PROS
- compact and affordable;
- fully customizable;
- easy to set up and use.
CONS
- the tray is inconvenient for some breeds.
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Iseebiz Automatic Cat Feeder
Review
This is a small auto-feeder for cats and smaller dog breeds. Despite being an entry-level option, it comes with useful features. It allows to pre-program up to 4 meals per day and manually choose the size of every meal. Also, you can record your voice (up to 10 seconds) to encourage your pet to have a snack while you’re away.
What we think
This is a decent feeder with a decent set of features, which comes at an affordable price. We love the bright LCD display and the rounded tray. But, due to a smaller container capacity, you’ll have to refill it frequently.
PROS
- affordable and compact;
- a decent feature set;
- sleek design.
CONS
- the container’s capacity is small.
BUY NOW AMAZON
Frequently Asked Questions
Most cat automatic feeders with timers are pretty easy to use. And still, you may want to learn everything about cat feeders before buying the one. Here are the answers to some popular questions.
Q: How to Set an Automatic Cat Feeder?
A: Most automatic feeders feature an LCD screen where the chosen parameters are displayed. To choose the number of meals per day use the Mode button – just continue pressing it until you see the desired figure. The size of one portion is set similarly. In some models, there is the Set button instead of the Mode button.
Q: Are Automatic Cat Feeders with Timers a Good Idea?
A: They are a great idea for those who can’t feed their pets regularly for some reason. An auto feeder is irreplaceable for treating cats with nutritional issues – those prone to vomiting, overweight, elderly or pregnant kitties, who need a special dieting schedule.
Q: How Do Automatic Feeders with Timers Work?
A: An automatic feeder features a large container, which is filled with food, a dispenser, and a bowl. At specific time intervals (set by a user), the device dispenses small portions of food. You can change the number of meals and the portion size, according to your pet’s needs.
Q: Are There Automatic Cat Feeders with Timers for Wet Food?
A: Yes, there are some, but their construction is different. They don’t come in the form of hopper-type dispensers. Instead, they are rotating plates with several lidded sections. The plate rotates at the set time intervals, opening access to one section at a time.
Q: How do you feed two cats with an automatic feeder?
A: When it comes to feeding multiple cats with a feeder, there are two possible approaches. If your cats don’t mind sharing their food and if they eat one type of food, you may just consider buying a large automatic feeder with a large bowl. If one of your cats have special dietary requirements, then you may opt for a feeder with two individual dispensers and two individual bowls.
Q: How much should a cat eat per day?
A: How much you should feed your cat depends on several factors. These include the cat's weight; age; the type of food (wet or dry); the quality of food (good quality food contains much more nutrients than low-quality food); the cat's activity level; pregnancy or nursing. General recommendations for feeding a cat imply submitting between 24 to 35 calories (depending on the factors mentioned above) per pound of weight a day. As for the frequency of feeding, two times a day of wet food (in the morning and at night) supplemented with a dry food feeding during the day is what considered a norm for any cat. To check if your cat is under- or overeating, touch his backbone and ribs. If you can't feel them, your cat is overweight, while if you can see them through the skin, the cat is too thin.
Tips on Automatic Cat Feeder Maintenance
Normally, automatic feeders require little maintenance. Most of them are made of high-grade dishwasher-safe plastic. Here some basic tips on feeder maintenance.
- Load the feeder with the right kind of cat food. This information can be found in the user manual. Don’t overload the container in order to prevent clogging.
- Clean the container and the bowl as recommended to prevent bacteria and mold growth. Usually, that’s as simple as washing the removable parts in soapy water.
- Check the feeder at least once a week (for example, at weekends). Make sure it dispenses food properly: at the specified time intervals and in the right amount.
- Place it on a flat firm surface (ideally, on the floor). Avoid sloppy surfaces, as the misbalance can lead to uneven food distribution.
Verdict and Recommendations
An automatic cat feeder with a timer is a convenient appliance, which provides your pet with small portions of food as many times per day as needed. We’ve reviewed five reliable auto-feeders with the feature of timer. While any of them is nice to have, our top pick is CSF-3 from Super Feeder. It is large, extremely versatile, and fully customizable, which makes it easy to adjust to every cat parent’s needs.
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HOW TO CHOOSE AN AUTOMATIC CAT FEEDER?
Hi,
There are a lot of organic stain removers to choose from. Some of them eliminate odors best; others are perfect for preserving colors. Probably, the most effective cleaners for removing pets’ stains are those containing enzymes. They are safe, easy to use, and can be applied on most surfaces.
The PetSafe Healthy Pet Automatic Cat and Dog Feeder with Stainless Steel Bowl makes sure your cat’s healthy feeding routine is adhered to. You are guaranteed your peace of mind with the best automatic cat feeder. It dispenses fresh food even without your intervention. It allows you to schedule as well as regulate the meal portions to suit your cat’s needs. Also, it is pet-proofed to prevent your pets from sneaking a few extra treats. It is made from easy to clean plastic and stainless-steel components. The cat feeder can be programmed to dispense food slowly to prevent digestive issues.
What should you get if your cat is overweight?
Hi,
Overweight cats need to eat frequently (4-5 times a day) and in very small portions. The best way to control their diet is by getting an auto feeder with a timer. It will help you set the needed time intervals between the meals and measure precisely the amount of food. It’s important to choose a feeder with a high-quality nozzle system to prevent a break-in.
Super Feeder Csf-3 Automatic when you are looking for an escape from the 5 a.m. feedings that often accompany being a cat owner, the Super Feeder CSF-3 Automatic Cat Feeder could be the solution to your problems. The feeder distributes a specific amount of kibble at pre-determined intervals of time. This product offers solid quality and a choice of either an analog or digital timer. Additionally, you can set it up for remote use. Your cats will have their daily rations of food even if you are on vacation or at work.
Are automatic feline feeders good for your cats?
Hi,
Besides controlling your cat’s diet and preventing health issues caused by obesity in the long-run, automatic feeders are also a hands-free way to ensure your cat’s fed especially on days you’re busy or even traveling. And when it comes to buying an automatic cat feeder, the numerous options can truly get overwhelming.