Automatic Feeder that Doesn't Poke Eyes

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bambinaki

bambinaki

Member Since 2010
Hello-

I have the Cat Mate C500, but the bowls are so deep and narrow, and the edge of the cover around the bowl is sharp, so it's very irritating to the kitties' faces. I've been testing it for a couple days, and I see that my kitty's eyes are irritated. I'm sure they're poked by that sharp edge when he sticks his face into the bowl.

Another member had the same issue, and she recommended the Cat Mate C20, but the timer isn't precise. I have 3 cats, and if the feeders don't all open at the same time, it's a problem.

I've looked high and low but can't find a solution. I need a reliable, precise feeder (with ice packs) that has a bowl that is shallow without sharp edges.

Can anyone help?

Thank you!
 
Petsafe 5 feeder! You can find them on Amazon or Ebay (used and cheaper). It has a clock so you can set up to 4 specific times. The plastic is smooth and never bothered my cat but some people put glass cup inserts inside so they're not eating on the plastic.
 
Panic said:
Petsafe 5 feeder! You can find them on Amazon or Ebay (used and cheaper). It has a clock so you can set up to 4 specific times. The plastic is smooth and never bothered my cat but some people put glass cup inserts inside so they're not eating on the plastic.
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Thank you, Elizabeth! The edges do look smooth. But it's still so deep. And no ice...?
 

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Panic said:
@Douglas_my ginger cat

These are Williams Sonoma Dip Bowls, sized 3 1/2" diam., 3/4" high; 2-oz. cap.
I do not know if they'll fit in the C500. I've never used them before.

View attachment 55477
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Ah ok, so they are just little bowls to go in the compartment. I used the C500 today and I think its snazzy but Douglas is not so keen. And they are much deeper which I think he is struggling with. He pushed the food into the corner as he is eating and then struggles to get it. Today was fine as I was able to push the food back into the middle but I won't be around during the week day or even night to do this for him. I am sure I can find some small dip bowls to help us.

Thank you!
 
bambinaki said:
But there are ice things that come with the feeder and are placed inside it, right, Paula?
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Mine didn't come with ice packs. And I don't see how any would fit underneath. I got it last year so I don't know if it's new thing or not.

I just looked up on petsafe website. It says the 5 compartment can not use I've packs. Like I said I used reusable ice cubes and sometimes I froze the food and placed in plate. Most times since I was home I didn't use anything. For overnight I just put food on the plate and added a bit of water so it didn't dry out. Or put an ice cube in middle of food so it melted by the time she would eat.
 
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bambinaki said:
@Panic Elizabeth, Paula's Pet Safe 5 didn't come with ice packs. Are we talking about the same feeder? The Amazon site doesn't mention ice packs.
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Yes, this is the same feeder. This is the first time I'm hearing about it not coming with ice packs, as you can see mine did (well the ice packs are in the fridge atm but still). Perhaps Paula can shed some light on if hers came with an ice pack slot. Perhaps they are no longer selling them with the packs? You can still buy replacement ones though if the slot is still there.
 
bambinaki said:
Hmm, I'm not crazy about space for only 1 ice pack which doesn't cool all the food bowls in the feeder.
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A lot of times people freeze food to put in the other slots that the ice pack isn't directly under. I live in the deep south (90+ degree weather often) and even without freezing food I haven't had an issue with the food going bad.
 
Panic said:
A lot of times people freeze food to put in the other slots that the ice pack isn't directly under. I live in the deep south (90+ degree weather often) and even without freezing food I haven't had an issue with the food going bad.
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Elizabeth, do you use only canned food? How many hours do you leave the food in the feeder?

@Olive & Paula, how long do you leave food in the feeder with those little re-useable ice cubes? Do you find that it stays fresh the entire time? Do you use only canned food?
 
Yes, only canned. I've left food out for close to 10 hours without issue. Dr. Lisa Pierson has also mentioned that she leaves canned food out for 12+ hours in California heat with no issues.
Another option would be to just add ice cubes in each tray - when it melts you get water added to the food, so win-win.

Here's a link to replacement ice packs - they are for the Catmate feeders but they are the same size as the Petsafe. I had a Catmate feeder and took the ice packs out to use. They fit perfect. :)

https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Ice-Pack-C20-Feeder/dp/B00176DR5G/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20
 
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bambinaki said:
Elizabeth, do you use only canned food? How many hours do you leave the food in the feeder?

@Olive & Paula, how long do you leave food in the feeder with those little re-useable ice cubes? Do you find that it stays fresh the entire time? Do you use only canned food?
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I only use wet food. Overnight the last feeding was in there for 5-6 hrs. I always add a bit of water, not mixed in just to keep food from drying out. Or put ice cube in food itself.
 
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I did buy my Petsafe used and thought the ice packs it came with were part of the feeder ... maybe they were replacement packs after all. :confused:

To add to your reviews, Mogs, since you don't mention it - I don't recommend the C500. Bought it before the Petsafe and quickly realized it wouldn't let me do exact times. Something like it had to be 3-4 hours out, and most of us need it to dispense 1-2 hours out.
 
Critter Mom said:
That's the C-50. I had exactly the same problem with the mechanical timer: it was absolute pants. I returned it for a refund. The newer C-500 has a digital timer.


Mogs
.
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Oops you're right! I just looked up the listing where I bought it. What would I do without you. :p
 
I love my C-20 with the manual timers (easy to set, just like kitchen timers). I've been using it for more than 10 years without problems. When I had the Petmate 5 it's digital timers often malfunctioned and the compartments would stop mid way. My cat at that time (Stu) couldn't get his head in to get the food! I use ceramic dishes in the food trays of the C-20. I almost never use the icepack except in extremely hot weather.
 
Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) said:
I love my C-20 with the manual timers (easy to set, just like kitchen timers). I've been using it for more than 10 years without problems. When I had the Petmate 5 it's digital timers often malfunctioned and the compartments would stop mid way. My cat at that time (Stu) couldn't get his head in to get the food! I use ceramic dishes in the food trays of the C-20. I almost never use the icepack except in extremely hot weather.
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Ella, have you experienced that it doesn't open at the exact time that you set it for? I have 3 cats whose feeders have to open at the same time. Thanks!
 
Why don't you increase the height of the bottom by cutting a food-grade plastic plate with the right shape and put layers in the bottom?
You only need a hand saw and for example, a few plastic food containers. (or 314 stainless steel or ceramic if you have the right equipment)
 
I have the Petsafe Feeder as well. 4 compartments get wet food with water and the last compartment gets freeze dried chicken. The last wetfood snack is in there for 8 hours. No issues with food going bad. The food is not frozen, just out of the can with a bit of water. Timer is very precise. I would recommend to get rechargeable batteries. Changing the batteries monthly ensures that the batteries won't go dead on you in the middle of the day.
 
PH&MonkeyPenPenFaFaTiger said:
Why don't you increase the height of the bottom by cutting a food-grade plastic plate with the right shape and put layers in the bottom?
You only need a hand saw and for example, a few plastic food containers. (or 314 stainless steel or ceramic if you have the right equipment)
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I've ordered little bowls that I will place in the slots with something under them to raise them if needed. We'll see if it works.
Thanks.
 
Douglas_my ginger cat said:
Ah ok, so they are just little bowls to go in the compartment. I used the C500 today and I think its snazzy but Douglas is not so keen. And they are much deeper which I think he is struggling with. He pushed the food into the corner as he is eating and then struggles to get it. Today was fine as I was able to push the food back into the middle but I won't be around during the week day or even night to do this for him. I am sure I can find some small dip bowls to help us.

Thank you!
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How's Douglas doing with his feeder? Have you tried any tricks to help him when you're not around to help him get to his food?
 
Critter Mom said:
You won't get that level of accuracy with the Catmate C10s and C20s. It's impossible to set their mechanical timers to that degree of accuracy.


Mogs
.
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OK, it wasn't the PetMate that was not precise; it was those Cat Mate models I was reading that about. I'm still trying to work with my Cat Mate C500. I wish someone would create a perfect feeder. We have enough to worry about already!
 
bambinaki said:
How's Douglas doing with his feeder? Have you tried any tricks to help him when you're not around to help him get to his food?
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No, I haven't had a chance to buy any of those plates. But yesterday he seemed to have found all the meaty pieces. I've been home today so been giving him his food in easier plates (and extra cuddles!). Will try to pick something up at the weekend and will let you know.

I have to say though, I do like the Cat Mate C500.
 
bambinaki said:
So, Judy, the timer is digital? I thought I had read somewhere that it was not precise, but I think that was a manual dial, not electronic/digital. Getting confused now...
It's important for me because I need 3 feeders to open at exactly the same time.
Thanks.
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Yes, the timer is digital. You can preset it for 9 times in a 24 hour period that the carousel will turn to expose the next meal. Freckles gets her breakfast in a separate bowl at 8:00 am and supper at 8:00 - these meals are not part of the pet feeder. I have the feeder set to turn at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and then again at 10:00 pm, 12:00 am, 2:00 am, and 4:00 am.

The way I work Freckles meals is her day time food allotment is weighed in the morning (her food weighs in at 85 gm). I leave 40 grams in her big food dish for her to eat at shot time. I divide the remaining 45 gm of food among 4 of the Petsafe food compartments. Add a bit of water to each snack and her main meal. The golden paste (turmeric) is added to her big breakfast dish and also the snack that will rotate at 12:00. In the fifth compartment, I put freeze dried chicken treats that are 0 carbs. At shot time, she gets her big food dish (has 40 gm of food), then I go and feed the other cats in a separate room and do a few morning chores.

When I return, I manually rotate the feeder (there is a little button that you can push to rotate the feeder) to be sure it is going to rotate well for the day, as well check if the batteries are getting low- if batteries are low, the carousel doesn't rotate as quickly. Then she gets the little post breakfast snack from the pet feeder and the feeder is set to go off at it's first scheduled time of 10:00 am. I repeat for the evening.

Freckle's feeder is sitting in the top drawer of an old dresser because she has figured out if she pushes it off the shelf, some will spill out. There are 2 beds on top of the feeder where she usually sleeps. It's very rare for one of the other cats to get to the feeder before she does since she is the boss and has the bigger appetite.

I don't know if this helps at all or just muddies the water more! lol You will figure out whatever works best for you. It is all trial and error.

I love the feeder though. I feel it has really helped keep Freckle's numbers relatively flat.
 
Judy and Freckles said:
Yes, the timer is digital. You can preset it for 9 times in a 24 hour period that the carousel will turn to expose the next meal. Freckles gets her breakfast in a separate bowl at 8:00 am and supper at 8:00 - these meals are not part of the pet feeder. I have the feeder set to turn at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and then again at 10:00 pm, 12:00 am, 2:00 am, and 4:00 am.

The way I work Freckles meals is her day time food allotment is weighed in the morning (her food weighs in at 85 gm). I leave 40 grams in her big food dish for her to eat at shot time. I divide the remaining 45 gm of food among 4 of the Petsafe food compartments. Add a bit of water to each snack and her main meal. The golden paste (turmeric) is added to her big breakfast dish and also the snack that will rotate at 12:00. In the fifth compartment, I put freeze dried chicken treats that are 0 carbs. At shot time, she gets her big food dish (has 40 gm of food), then I go and feed the other cats in a separate room and do a few morning chores.

When I return, I manually rotate the feeder (there is a little button that you can push to rotate the feeder) to be sure it is going to rotate well for the day, as well check if the batteries are getting low- if batteries are low, the carousel doesn't rotate as quickly. Then she gets the little post breakfast snack from the pet feeder and the feeder is set to go off at it's first scheduled time of 10:00 am. I repeat for the evening.

Freckle's feeder is sitting in the top drawer of an old dresser because she has figured out if she pushes it off the shelf, some will spill out. There are 2 beds on top of the feeder where she usually sleeps. It's very rare for one of the other cats to get to the feeder before she does since she is the boss and has the bigger appetite.

I don't know if this helps at all or just muddies the water more! lol You will figure out whatever works best for you. It is all trial and error.

I love the feeder though. I feel it has really helped keep Freckle's numbers relatively flat.
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Thanks very much, Judy, for taking the time to reply as you did!
It would be easier if Maxi and I didn't have to worry about his brother getting his food. In addition, Maxi gets into his brother's food, which doesn't have the binder in it that Maxi needs. It's good that Freckles has her dresser and boss status to help with such complications.
 
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