Cats are wonderful, fiercely independent creatures.
Whether letting their owners know that they are ready for a stroke or taking themselves off for a stroll at ungodly hours, our feline friends are ironically dogged about doing things their way.
The same attitude is demonstrated at mealtimes. Like all animals, cats love their food. Many problems can arise at dinner however, such as fellow pets pinching bits of kibble or working paw-rents not making it back from work quickly enough to feed their hungry housemate. Cue automatic pet feeders.
These ingenious inventions allow owners to programme and monitor their pet's meals anywhere at any time. Many brands use apps to help owners schedule meal plans and regulate food quantities to ensure their cat is sufficiently fed. For those with busy lifestyles, these automatic wonders are real lifesavers.
And it only gets better. The tech incorporated into new models spans digital cameras to watch your pet as they eat, to snazzy microchip scanners. These are especially useful for monitoring pets on special diets or cats with thieving canine companions.
Brands such as Petlibro, Cat Mate and SureFeed have all developed state-of-the-art cat feeders to dole out food on the dot. Naturally, automatic feeders come at a higher cost than regular cat bowls which require manual effort, but it ensures that your precious puss is taken good care of when you're out of the house.
Discover the best automatic cat feeders and treat your feline friend to some mealtime magic.
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Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder with Camera
This 5L automatic feeder from PetLibro is equipped with a 1080P HD camera for remote monitoring, which allows you to see and hear how and when your pet is eating when you’re out of the house. The nifty piece of pet tech also comes with an app for monitoring, plus a two-way audio meal call featuring a built-in microphone and speaker so you can chat with your pet and ease separation anxiety.
Choose between a single or dual bowl system depending on how many mouths you have to feed and enjoy the reassurance of a dual power supply which kicks in as soon as one of the batteries has been fully drained. This means that you can leave the house for work or play with the knowledge that your furry pal will always be fed. If you’re still not convinced, you can keep track of and control feeding via the companion app.
Buy now £149.99, Amazon
SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder
Keep four-legged companions well-fed with the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. The gadget is purr-fect for owners who have more than one furry friend as it prevents pinching. The feeder works by reading a pet’s microchip as it approaches the deuce and opening if the correct pet is detected. Not only does it stop other cats and dogs from diving into a meal which isn’t theirs, but it also stops curious toddlers from making a kibbly mess too.
Buy now £145.00, Argos
Hipidog Automatic Pet Feeder
Add a pop of pretty pistachio to your home with Hipidog’s pastel design. Available in a range of cute colourways, the automatic feeder is suited for small and medium-sized pets. It’s ideal for travel and features both food and water dispenser parts - and it’s an affordable option too. Fill yours up with food and bring it along for long car journeys or weekends away with the catsitter.
Buy now £21.24, Amazon
PetSafe Digital Two Meal Pet Feeder
The five-star reviews have rolled in for PetSafe’s two-meal pet feeder. Suited to both cats and small dogs, the device features an LCD digital display which allows for the simple programming of meal times. Configure the correct portion size for your cat and ensure they never miss a meal while you’re away. Once they have finished their feast, simply pop the trays in the dishwasher for an easy cleaning experience.
Buy now £57.00, Argos
PETKIT Automatic Cat Feeder
Control your cat’s meal plans via your phone - it’s that easy. The uber-convenient app control feature of PETKIT’s feeder will enable you to monitor your cat’s feeding times and keep an eye on their weight. It promises freshness with every bite, thanks to its compatibility with both dry and freeze-dried food. Concerned about a power cut? Don’t be. The feeder has a handy battery backup system that ensures that your pets get fed even in a power outage.
Buy now £79.99, Amazon
Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder
An automatic feeder with a different design, Cat Mate’s bowl feeder resembles a classic bowl in its aesthetic but with a hi-tech twist. Wave goodbye to the faff of manual feeding and programme up to four individual meal times per day. The tamper-resistant style of the piece means no curious paws and cunning creatures can sneak extra meals, which is ideal for cats on a diet. There’s also no need to fret about hygiene as the feeder’s stainless steel structure is rust-resistant and easy to clean after every feast.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
