Auto Feeder

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I use these feeders for my two cats, but I think most people here prefer the petsafe one. I like the one I have because of the ice-pack compartment--there have been rare occasions (when Bandit didn't need insulin, of course) when I haven't been home for more than 12 hours and I needed to set two meals in the feeder--one at 6 hours and one at 12 hours. Usually, though, I just need to set one meal for them for lunch on workdays (and once Bandit is hopefully off insulin again, his 1am meal so I can get a full night's sleep again). Some people have trouble figuring out how to program the one I have, but I've never had a problem with it. I do admit it does program like a 1980s VCR, though! I also prefer it because it is sturdy and both my cats are a bit food crazy and raccoon-ish and Bandit ripped apart 2 other (expensive!) feeders, including the petsafe, before we landed on the one I have.

I freeze my portions of food ahead of time in snack-sized plastic bags and pop them out in the morning when I set the feeders. In the rare occasion I need to set it for two meals, I have icepacks I pop in the compartment that keeps the food in compartment 2 colder so it takes more time to unthaw. I've never had any problem with the food drying out, even at 12 hours. The cats get the same amount of food at every meal (They eat 4x day, every 6 hours), and that's what I portion out to freeze.
 
I've used the PetSafe with most of our diabetics. I've put food in them for up to 20 hours without problems. The PetSafes we've had really do a good job of keeping the food from drying out. How much we put in depends on the cat, we split their food up evenly among the meals they get in a day.
At first ChrisFarley would go running out of the room when a feeder made noise. Now he can be in a dead sleep on a different floor and the second one of those turns he is running for it before he's even woke up. Its hilarious.
 
Yes, this is the one I use and I love it. It does keep the food moist. I usually will take a spoonful for each compartment from a can, depending on how long I`ll be away. LOL about ChrisFarley, that`s so cute!
 
Shiloh & Rhonda said:
Is this the one a lot y'all use? Does it keep what hasn't come around yet moist? And how much do you put in each compartment?
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Yep, that's the one we have. It's a good design and it's well-made. However, wouldn't ya know, we have a little problem with it: Hannah doesn't like putting her face down into the compartments to eat. She likes a flat plate. Have tried and tried to get her to eat from it, as it sure would be easier than getting up every morning at 5:30 AM to pull her food dish, but "no joy"!
 
Hopefully since Shiloh normally eats from a bowl, she won't have a problem. What I have now are ceramic bowls, but bought some plastic bowls yesterday, just to make sure, and no issue.
 
FYI: Some cats develop acne using plastic bowls. Check the chin periodically for issues.
 
The Pet Safe 5 has been used successful with canned food. The important thing is to keep it clean and not have food in there long enough to spoil. Freezing some for later times helps keep it fresh. Placing it away from refrigerator exhaust, which is warm, reduces warming and odors.
 
Thanks BJ. I keep their food and litter box in the laundry room, with a latch that lets them in but keeps the dogs out. As long as the dryer isn't running, should be fine.
 
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