Suggestions for an automated feeder?

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jkluckycharms

jkluckycharms

Member Since 2012
Does anyone have an automated feeder they recommend using. Lucky seems to be gorging himself which is causing him to vomit. Since I'm at work during the day and sleeping during the night (maybe?) I'd like another alternative than leaving the wet food out for him to self feed. I looked around and some reviews were negative on some models. Just wanted some opinions / suggestions. Thanks
 
I used the Petsafe 5 compartment auto feeder.
There are others, but one question I have is how rough you think your cat would be?
Some cats have 'broken into the feeder' and flipped it over, trying to get the food out.... you think that sounds like your cat?
Mine just waited... came running when she heard the feeder turn to the next section.
 
So you have a scarf-n-barf cat? Me too. :-D I can't give bandit more than a half of a can of Fancy Feast at a time or he'll eat it so fast he'll puke.

Probably the most popular feeder here is the Petsafe 5. It works really well for most cats, is easy to program, and is very quiet. I have a cat who is convinced he is a raccoon, so he destroyed two feeders (including the Petsafe) before I settled on this feeder, which is sturdy enough where he wasn't able to rip it apart. I've had two for over 3 years now, and apart from some insignificant issues (the door that covers tray 4 needed to be removed on both feeders, but I never used the feeders for more than 2 meals at a time anyway so that didn't matter), they've stood up great! The only complaint I've heard from my house is that they are a little tricky to learn to program; they program like an 1980s VCR. I never had a problem (I also read the instructions), but my boyfriend does not like to use them because of the programming issue.

It's also a pain to get he Qpet feeder apart to clean it, but I got around that by making little bowls out of tin foil to put inside the trays so I don't have to wash it every time.
 
http://www.petmountain.com/product/elec ... eeder.html

I use a Cate mate C20. I actually have 2 of them, one for each cat, although I suspect Cedric eats more than Dallas does.... :lol:
I like these as the "pop" open (the lid springs up). I also like the ice pack that goes in it. It does keep the canned food in it pretty cold. Now, that said, please note that I put a cold protion around an ice cube on one side and a frozen portion on the other side. I usually set them up at 7:15am or so and dial up a 4 hour on the cold side and 8 hour on the frozen side. The lids usually slap agains t the wood of the island where they sit, so the cats know it's time to eat. Sometimes I come home at 4:45pm to find the frozen portion hasn't been touched. it is still fine and they will scarf it up (sometimes they are upstairs and forget about the feeders if you can believe that). They both get 4 small meals a day, although I will admit that the meals I put int he feeder are smaller than what I give them at breakfast and dinner.

I was concered with Dallas and his reaction to the feeder. He was the stray cat I rescued last year. Since he lived outside for awhile (he was dumped)I was concerned that he would try to break into it (ala Bandit). Nope, he's fine with it. The trays are plastic and are cleaned each night - I haven't been able to find ceramic trays of that size, although I have tried. You can buy replacement ice packs, although I have been using one since May 2011 with no problems.

When I said I used an ice cube, I found a tray that makes smaller cubes and is made of silicone. it is VERY easy to pop out these cubes:
http://www.disneystore.com/disney/store ... &N=1000352
Good luck!
 
we also use the petsafe feeder with mocha .. used it more when she was locked up with us at night, she heard it every time it would go off .. now we only use it on day's when we are occasionally out longer then her feeding intervals ..
 
Thanks for all your suggestions. Not sure how Lucky's gonna react to the feeder but hopefully he will be fine. I love the term scarf n barf - that's gonna be his new nickname! :lol:
 
I tried the Petsafe 5 and at first Scooter was absolutely terrified of it... it is LOUD for about 2 seconds as the tray turned. He would hide under the couch/bed for hours. He finally got desensitized to it, and never really caught on to the fact that it dispensed fresh food. He would eat out of it once or twice and then I'd come home to it being full of rotten food and him crying in starvation. I returned it. :lol: Now I just use frozen ice cubes of wet food. Two out at night, two out when I'm at work. He licks them like a chicken popsicle. :lol:
 
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