Automatic feeder not really the solution

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Snits

Snits

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Hi! So snits is doing great. I haven’t updated her ss for this week but she’s still in remission numbers and a very happy cat. I got her an automatic feeder in hopes that she wouldn’t wake me up nightly demanding food. The feeder works great, but the issue is, she doesn’t just wait for it to open. She’ll climb up the bed and claw at me to wake me up. Usually it’s pretty close to when the feeder opens, but not always. I feed her every four hours but on the odd occasion she’ll be convinced she needs more food just two hours after. Either way, she wakes me up and it’s very hard to get back to bed, that and I have to wait for it to open before she’ll calm down. My question is, did others have this issue and did their cat eventually learn to wait by the feeder?

It’s not the hugest issue but my sleep pattern is pretty messed up because of it. I can’t really free feed her either because of my dog who sticks to me like glue and will definitely eat her food if he can get away with it.
 
The only thought I would have is whether you can move Snits food -- at least the middle of the night snack -- to a spot where your dog can't get at it. Will Snits jump on to a counter? I know some folks don't want their cat on the kitchen counter. I'm not one of those people since I have proof that the cats go on the counter when I'm not around (and when I'm home, as well). You could use the bathroom vanity if you don't want Snits on your kitchen counter. You get the idea!
 
Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:
The only thought I would have is whether you can move Snits food -- at least the middle of the night snack -- to a spot where your dog can't get at it. Will Snits jump on to a counter? I know some folks don't want their cat on the kitchen counter. I'm not one of those people since I have proof that the cats go on the counter when I'm not around (and when I'm home, as well). You could use the bathroom vanity if you don't want Snits on your kitchen counter. You get the idea!
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Maybe my dresser counter. Kitchen and bathroom are out since I would have to lock her in the bathroom and the other cats would probably get to it first in the kitchen. I’ll try my dresser! Thanks.
 
If the counter doesn't work, are you feeding Snits during the day from the autofeeder? Once Neko learned that the autofeeder was where food came from, regardless of time, Otto (otto feeder) became her best friend.
 
Wendy&Neko said:
If the counter doesn't work, are you feeding Snits during the day from the autofeeder? Once Neko learned that the autofeeder was where food came from, regardless of time, Otto (otto feeder) became her best friend.
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No, I'm not mainly because I think it's a bit uncomfortable for her. It's the cat mate and I got the 3 tray feeder specifically because it's wider so there will be less whisker strain. I noticed before buying that she preferred to eat on a plate rather than a bowl. Sometimes she wouldn't touch the bowl, but once it was moved to a plate she'd scarf it up. She also has problems getting the food out of the corners of the auto feeder tray. I have noticed that if she's really motivated she'll scoop it out with her paw and throw it on the floor and eat it that way, so maybe there's just a learning curve for her. I mostly use the feeder at night and when I go away for the day, but maybe I should purchase another ice pack and fill it up twice a day. Thanks for your suggestion! Definitely something I'll try.
 
Some people buy little bowls or something to raise the food content in the auto feeder. I found a copy of sushi bowls that worked perfectly. That way the food wasn't on plastic either.
 
Does anyone know of any plates/bowls that would work on amazon? I can't find my tape measure LOL
 
Wendy&Neko said:
That's what I did!
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I found perfect little dishes that fit in but she hated them more than just eating from the plastic. I think maybe because it's a wider area like a plate would be. Idk, waking up to feed her may be my best option since she wakes me up either way. Thanks so much for your help!
 
Snits said:
Hi! So snits is doing great. I haven’t updated her ss for this week but she’s still in remission numbers and a very happy cat. I got her an automatic feeder in hopes that she wouldn’t wake me up nightly demanding food. The feeder works great, but the issue is, she doesn’t just wait for it to open. She’ll climb up the bed and claw at me to wake me up. Usually it’s pretty close to when the feeder opens, but not always. I feed her every four hours but on the odd occasion she’ll be convinced she needs more food just two hours after. Either way, she wakes me up and it’s very hard to get back to bed, that and I have to wait for it to open before she’ll calm down. My question is, did others have this issue and did their cat eventually learn to wait by the feeder?

It’s not the hugest issue but my sleep pattern is pretty messed up because of it. I can’t really free feed her either because of my dog who sticks to me like glue and will definitely eat her food if he can get away with it.
Click to expand...
See my post from yesterday called WET FEEDER, I actually posted because I thought of your dilemma, I hope this works for you:bighug::bighug::cat::cat:
 
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