Automatic feeders for daytime snacks

[CAB7712]

Hello everybody!
Still new to the whole FD world, and I am ttrying to organize my life for when I start my new RN job (in about a week). I am trying to figure out the best way to provide daytime (and nighttime) snacks to Newman (and Puddy,although he is not FD) that not only gives him the calories he needs, but also uses a low carb option. I would like it to be able to be set for a few different meal times throughout a 24 hr period and also be able to control the amount dispensed. I would like a two bowl option,as well. Our vet recommended a high fiber food for snacks, but I am struggling to find one that will work.
If none of this makes sense, let me know, I am just hoping to get it set up before I start my new schedule.
Thanks!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

I see a lot of members use this auto feeder comes with 2 ice packs for wet food
They also add some water to the food so it won't dry out

https://www.chewy.com/cat-mate-c500-digital-5-meal/dp/154556?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Cat Mate&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmIuDBhDXARIsAFITC_63x-luggpCkFZRkS8gkKWhzRbyN2QiluSdQbUAVg-nyE2iitAjCY4aAjTmEALw_wcB


Extra ice packs
https://www.amazon.com/Mate-Replace...8EYNZ1RBTQP&psc=1&refRID=AQNY433XJ8EYNZ1RBTQP
of 5 stars Identical to original ice packs that came with my Cat Mate C500


Here is a 2 meal feeder
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-2-Meal-Automatic-Feeder-Dispenses/dp/B000241NRI


Sorry can't help you out with the snacks most people just feed low carb wet in the feeders

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

There are 2 slot options (see Diane's link above) as well as a 5 slot options. The only way to control the amount dispensed is how much food you put in the slots.

 

[CAB7712]

I see a lot of members use this auto feeder comes with 2 ice packs for wet food
They also add some water to the food so it won't dry out

https://www.chewy.com/cat-mate-c500-digital-5-meal/dp/154556?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Cat Mate&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmIuDBhDXARIsAFITC_63x-luggpCkFZRkS8gkKWhzRbyN2QiluSdQbUAVg-nyE2iitAjCY4aAjTmEALw_wcB


Extra ice packs
https://www.amazon.com/Mate-Replace...8EYNZ1RBTQP&psc=1&refRID=AQNY433XJ8EYNZ1RBTQP
of 5 stars Identical to original ice packs that came with my Cat Mate C500


Here is a 2 meal feeder
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-2-Meal-Automatic-Feeder-Dispenses/dp/B000241NRI


Sorry can't help you out with the snacks most people just feed low carb wet in the feeders

I am considering getting 2 of these (one for each cat to ensure my non FD gets his share). Do you think I could fill the compartments with freeze dried chicken bits as snacks? I will continue to feed wet food meals at breakfast and dinner, but am not trusting the reviews as far as it keeping the wet food cool enough for longer periods of time.

 

[Howiesmom]

I use that auto feeder and love it. Howie comes running when he hears the bowl advancing! I actually found a recommendation to get get these extra ice packs instead of the ones from the company they were perfectly. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-Blue-Ice-Lunch-Blox-Ice-Substitute-3-pack/362800635

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

I am considering getting 2 of these (one for each cat to ensure my non FD gets his share). Do you think I could fill the compartments with freeze dried chicken bits as snacks? I will continue to feed wet food meals at breakfast and dinner, but am not trusting the reviews as far as it keeping the wet food cool enough for longer periods of time.

I don't see why not

 

[Lauren and Loki]

I just got this Cat Mate C500 bundle on Amazon. The bundle is that it comes with stainless steel bowl inserts which I prefer over plastic, and it might help keep the food cooler for longer. And I also purchased an extra set of ice packs to be able to switch them out (they weren't in the bundle, they were separate):

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Mate-Fiv...95261&sprefix=closer+pets+c500,aps,120&sr=8-5


Or you can purchase these items separately from the actual website too:

https://closerpets.com/products/fiv...84369&pr_ref_pid=7027367903441&pr_seq=uniform

https://closerpets.com/products/clo...omatic-pet-feeders-464?variant=41029034803409

https://closerpets.com/products/replacement-ice-pack-c500-pet-feeder?variant=41387800527057


It's just cheaper to buy them as a bundle if you want the stainless steel inserts, and I only bought them from Amazon because shipping took only 1 day:

https://closerpets.com/products/fiv...84337&pr_ref_pid=7027367903441&pr_seq=uniform

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I am considering getting 2 of these (one for each cat to ensure my non FD gets his share). Do you think I could fill the compartments with freeze dried chicken bits as snacks? I will continue to feed wet food meals at breakfast and dinner, but am not trusting the reviews as far as it keeping the wet food cool enough for longer periods of time.

I am sure the freeze dried bits would be enough for the snacks. With recent DKA on the picture, you need to make sure Mewman is getting enough food. Maybe you could make the earlier snacks the wet food and the later snacks the freeze dried food? I used a feeder for years and didn’t have any issues with wet food.
im not sure why your vet wants to use a high fibre food for snacks..the normal low carb or the Reese dries would be fine. Will your cats eat the freeze dried food. My current cats have never seen dry food (I feed a raw diet) and when I bought some freeze dried food, they didn’t recognise it as food at all.