timed feeder troubles

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kds0200

kds0200

Member Since 2014
Hello hello! I recently moved for a new job and am trying to get Bailey used to the timed feeder since my working hours won't allow me to check his numbers as often and feed him myself during the day. I'm only using the two tray feeder because money-wise and time-wise it worked better for me and for him. Before he'd been doing fine just grazing when I put one can down in the AM and one can in the PM, however in the last week or so he's been scarfing the can within two hours and then acting hungry in the afternoon or early morning hours. I don't think he's actually that hungry, I think he's rebelling against me taking away his YAZC munchy bits that he was used to having a little of throughout the day.

So to get him used to the feeder (before my new job starts on Monday), I've been splitting each can into thirds and feeding every four hours (1/3 in his regular dish and 1/3 in each of the timed trays). He did okay yesterday and last night, but this morning after licking his regular dish clean, he somehow managed to pop open one of the timed trays and eat all that as well. Has anyone else had any problems with getting a cat used to a feeding schedule? Any tips or tricks I might use?

He weighs 12.6 lbs. (maybe even closer to 13 now) so by my calculations 2 cans per day (6 ounces) should be just right (plus the freeze dried chicken treats he gets after tests and shots), but should I up him to 2 1/2 to 3 cans? I am worried about weight management since he used to be closer to 15 lbs. When all this diabetes stuff first started for him, he got down to 11 lbs. and looked like a sad bag of bones so 12-13 lbs. is just right for his overall structure. His spreadsheet is current, if his numbers make a difference to anyone's opinion!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
 
Darn. He is one of those smart cats that can figure out the pop up ones. I had the same problem until I bought the PetSafe feeder. With it, the bottom tray is the part that moves; it's the only feeder my cats can't get into.

You can return the other one (just tell them your cat can open it) i know it's more money but for me, the PetSafe was a lifesaver. I have heard that PetSmart will honor the lower price you can find on Amazon.
 
Also, you can freeze some and put it out on a plate or in the timed feeder; it can be eaten when it thaws.
 
I've got several types of timed feeder: Cat Mate single and double feeders, and also the digital Petpod twin feeders. (I needed to feed her once an hour at one stage during her pancreatitis flare and didn't have enough space for 2 Petsafe feeders at the time.) I only had burgling problems with Saoirse when she was on cyproheptadine (appy stimulant). The Cat Mate feeders withstood her attention in terms of opening, but sometimes if she gave it a good battering the battery might dislodge slightly. The Petpods are more accurate timer-wise, but she could get into them extremely easily. I also tried a Cat Mate 50 but the top of that rotates and it would be very easy to break into, plus the timer mechanism is very clunky and limited in terms of intervals between feeds. The other downside of the Cat Mate 50 is that the cat needs to rotate around the feeder (cf the Petsafe 5 which rotates the compartment towards the feeding position) which means that you need to place it in the centre of a space large enough to accommodate a 3-foot circle. :roll:

I know the Petsafe feeders are a bit more expensive than some others, but in addition to being more burgle-proof, you would have the option to feed Bailey more frequently during each cycle. In addition to probably making him happier because it will be closer to grazing, it could also help improve his BG regulation (plus keep him safer at lower numbers).
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to have to make do with this feeder until I get a paycheck next month. The freezing thing I've tried before and he wants nothing to do with it (nearest I can tell the colder food upsets his already sensitive stomach). The timed feeder went better last night since I kept an ear out and the one time I heard him trying to break in I was up and putting a stop to it. This morning the feeder was right where I'd left it, both slots licked clean. And even just from last night's tests I can already see how the smaller meals are helping to slow his drop and bounce routine. I'm sure he'll get used to the feeder eventually, we just have a lot of small changes happening right now after moving and I think he's rebelling in whatever ways he can :roll:

Thanks again y'all ;-)
 
Painters tabe, sticky side up on the surface he paws may reduce attempts to open it.
Somewhat sticky, but not so much as to harm him if it sticks to his fur.

Test it during the day when you're home.
 
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