The ten Finest Automated Cat Feeders of 2024, Examined and Reviewed

The PETLIBRO AIR WiFi Feeder isn’t probably the most fully-featured computerized cat feeder we examined, nevertheless it does have the perfect stability of reliability, affordability, sensible options, and ease of use out of any we have examined. The Wi-Fi model of the PETLIBRO AIR makes use of a big, 5200mAh lithium-ion battery (that is a better capability than the most important iPhone) to energy the feeder for 30 days at a time, after an 8-hour cost. In our expertise, the long-lasting battery life sometimes extends properly previous 30 days.

The PETLIBRO AIR gadget may be very compact for an computerized feeder, and because it’s wi-fi, it is easy to place anyplace in the home—even up on greater surfaces—or to maneuver it from place to put. Its rounded, squat design additionally makes it tough to tip over.

One among our take a look at cats may be very decided and spent months terrorizing his condo’s robotic vacuum. However after a number of nights of attempting to extract dinner early, he was solely in a position to scoot the feeder just a few inches throughout the ground, and by no means obtained near knocking it over.

Programming the AIR WiFi is completed fully via the app, the place you’ll be able to set what number of parts to dispense (every portion is 1/24 of a cup), as much as 16 per meal. You may schedule as much as ten meal instances a day. The app is comparatively barebones, however easy to make use of and helpful.

It is easy to toggle an present schedule off for the day, and to alter little configuration choices like your most well-liked unit of measurement (we caught to cups). It retains a log of earlier feedings too. The app does not even promote to you, besides on a devoted “Companies” tab, via which you’ll have a look at different PETLIBRO gadgets and order extra pet meals from Amazon.

The app may also be synced with a number of machines and has as much as 5 customers, making it very easy to coordinate in a multiple-cat family (our tester has two completely different machines, one per cat, and each are managed from the identical app). It is obtained helpful notifications too, letting you recognize when it is time to refill the 2-liter meals reservoir or recharge the battery. You may even entry a PDF model of the consumer handbook from contained in the app.

The PETLIBRO AIR WiFi Feeder can be utilized with kibble between 2 and 15 millimeters (or as much as the dimensions of a keyboard key). It comes with a steel dish that may be washed individually, and most parts are simple to rinse off within the sink (aside from the bottom, which accommodates the battery).

Whereas the AIR is an app-enabled “sensible” feeder, it does not have any of the bells & whistles we affiliate with comparable feeders. It will not take your cat’s image, or play a pre-recorded message (we have discovered that cats needn’t hear your voice to know it is meal time).

It additionally has a small storage capability. But when what you need is a fundamental, dependable feeder that mixes the peace of thoughts wi-fi notifications can deliver, then the AIR is a improbable choice.

_{Most Capability: About 8.5 cups | Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.4 x 7.1 inches | Weight: 2.86 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry | Energy Supply: 5200mAh lithium-ion battery | Cellular App: Sure}

After a number of rounds of testing, the Whisker Feeder-Robotic continues to be probably the most spectacular feeder we have ever examined. The adaptable computerized cat feeder has a wide range of intuitive feeding choices and probably the most helpful app of any feeder we have now examined. It additionally scored particularly excessive marks for its options, effectiveness, timer accuracy, and portion management. However its excessive value and enormous dimension is perhaps an excessive amount of for a lot of cat house owners.

The design of the Feeder-Robotic is concurrently futuristic and pleasant—although it is positively on the bigger facet within the computerized feeder realm—so patrons ought to be prepared for it to take up a good quantity of house. Regardless of its substantial dimensions, the Feeder-Robotic tapers to a 9 by 11.25-inch footprint. This makes it really feel somewhat top-heavy, although not sufficient to be involved about cats knocking it over. In our lab testing, bashing it with a ten-pound sandbag did not make it budge, so neither will your cat.

Arrange out of the field is a cinch, taking us about quarter-hour, together with downloading and syncing the cellphone software (by scanning a QR code on the again of the feeder), which is offered on iOS and Android.

It is easy to dial in exact meal instances and serving increments with the Feeder-Robotic’s sturdy settings, via which you’ll dispense as much as a full cup of meals as often as eight instances a day. A dispenser that makes use of 1/4-cup increments is already put in within the Feeder-Robotic, however you’ll be able to swap it for an included 1/8-cup dispenser that gives extra exact portion management—although this reduces the utmost single serving to 1/2 cup.

There’s additionally a setting that dispenses simply sufficient meals to maintain the bowl full, with the Feeder-Robotic checking its degree each six hours. In case your cat does not overeat and you do not intently monitor servings, this “gravity mode” ensures that the feeder is not shelling out an overflowing mound of meals whilst you’re away.

The Feeder-Robotic’s reservoir can maintain as much as 32 cups of dry meals, although something apart from small, spherical kibble will probably want the included Hopper Insert. It is designed to extra successfully funnel meals into the dispenser but in addition reduces the full capability to 25 cups—nonetheless a considerable quantity of meals.

The app notifications hold you up to date in your cat’s meals, and the included backup battery supplies peace of thoughts by guaranteeing the feeder will proceed to function for as much as 24 hours ought to the ability all of the sudden exit in your house. It’s also possible to bypass the app and schedule feeding immediately from the management panel keypad, and the Feeder-Robotic shops the schedule domestically, persevering with to keep up the schedule even when it is offline. A simple-to-read blue indicator gentle highlights whether or not or not the unit is at present working on a programmed schedule.

Along with notifying you with a push notification at feeding instances, the app additionally permits you to test meals ranges, construct schedules, and faucet a button to remotely dispense a snack-size serving. And it retains observe of feedings over time, offering each day averages and insights that may be exported to a CSV file prepared for Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel which could function a knowledge supply to debate along with your veterinarian.

We have been much less impressed with the included plastic bowl, since it might’t be cleaned within the dishwasher and since some cats have pores and skin allergy symptoms (nevertheless, all parts are BPA-free). A dishwasher-safe, hypoallergenic glass bowl is bought individually, including a $30 surcharge to an already substantial funding. We might have most well-liked different Feeder-Robotic parts to be dishwasher-safe as properly, although its washable parts are simple to separate from the feeder’s base and hand wash.

The Whiskers Feeder-Robotic is offered in 4 completely different coloration combos, with the physique out there in black or white, together with a transparent meals hopper, or a extra opaque smoke-colored choice. It additionally comes with a 90-day in-home trial interval along with its 18-month guarantee. There’s even free transport for patrons within the contiguous United States.

_{Most Capability: 32 cups | Dimensions: 15 x 12.5 x 13 inches | Weight: 9 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry | Energy Supply: Plug and built-in backup battery | Cellular App: Sure}

The Wopet Automated Pet Feeder holds as much as seven kilos, or slightly below 30 cups, of dry cat meals whereas offering reliably timed feedings with persistently sized parts. Even with its potential to carry a big quantity of kibble, the feeder has a modern design that retains it from trying cumbersome or overwhelming an area.

The preliminary meeting of this computerized feeder from Wopet comes collectively rapidly with the vast majority of objects intact proper out of the field, however the programming steps for scheduling feedings have been much less intuitive than different fashions we examined.

You could first choose which feeding you’re doing (e.g. first of the day), then what number of parts to dispense (a portion dimension is lower than 1/4 cup), after which the time of day for the feeding. As soon as we obtained the cling of it by fastidiously studying via the offered instruction handbook just a few instances, programming variations grew to become extra easy. It additionally presents the choice to set off a handbook feeding with the straightforward push of a button, however this feeder doesn’t connect with Wi-Fi so there is no such thing as a choice to regulate through your cellular gadget.

In our testing, we used two completely different sizes of cat kibble together with bigger canine kibble. The smaller-sized kibble was extra suitable, so one thing to bear in mind in case your cat has a choice for bulkier meals otherwise you plan to make use of it with a small canine.

To stop your cat from by accident tampering with the schedule you place in place, the keypad is situated behind a plastic cowl that may solely be lifted by urgent an exterior button that is flush in opposition to the feeder. Plus the construction of the feeder is sturdy and tough to tip over, so the meals contained inside can not simply be accessed by curious pets.

For people, the lid is straightforward to open and the inner basket the place the meals is saved may be taken out for cleansing together with the straightforward to take away serving bowl. For peace of thoughts while you’re away, the Wopet Automated Pet Feeder is suitable with two energy sources, a plug-in twine or three D-cell batteries as again up in case the ability goes out. It’s also possible to report a voice message as much as ten seconds to play together with scheduled feedings.

_{Most Capability: 7 liters (~29 cups) | Dimensions: 9.7 x 12.8 x 15.2 inches | Weight: 5.6 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry | Energy Supply: Plug-in and three D-cell batteries | Cellular App: No}

The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder has a really completely different perform than most computerized cat feeders. As a substitute of regulating your cat’s meals schedule and guaranteeing they’re fed every time you aren’t at house, the SureFeed is extra like a cat meals gatekeeper.

Reasonably than counting on a timer, the SureFeed is designed to limit entry to particular cats, recognized both by their microchip or by an included RFID tag which you can cling out of your cat’s collar. This makes it supreme for pet house owners with a number of cats on completely different diets. For instance, if one cat has a particular weight-reduction plan and eats separate meals, the SureFeed can be sure that no different cats within the family will eat it.

It is also an effective way to verify solely your cat eats the cat meals, and never your canine. Whereas it is exhausting to think about eventualities the place you’d want this many, the SureFeed may be programmed to establish as much as 32 cats.

The SureFeed is spectacular to look at work, with a easy, futuristic sliding door that peels again just like the cockpit of a spaceship when your cat approaches. Plus, it is easy to make use of: our testers had it arrange and dealing with the RFID tag in about 5 minutes.

Since you add meals to the SureFeed utilizing its separate plastic bowl, it might work with moist or dry meals. A break up bowl that permits you to serve two separate parts on the similar time can be included. The feeder’s lined design has the extra advantage of defending meals from flies, tamping down smells, and customarily protecting moist meals more energizing.

Our testers did be aware just a few downsides to the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder. For one, the bowl is somewhat small. It is probably not a tool which you can pile a number of days’ value of meals into and neglect about. As a substitute, it is extra particularly for actively managing a cat’s weight-reduction plan.

Additionally, it operates on 4 C cell batteries and does not have a plug. Because it has a six-month battery life (and a flashing battery indicator), this is not a lot of an impediment, however it will have been good to have the choice of utilizing an outlet.

Possibly the most important draw back is the open again. Whereas the SureFeed successfully prevents a couple of cat from utilizing it—rapidly closing after the recognized cat leaves the bowl—a very decided canine might in all probability determine a method round its defenses. A rear cowl is offered to maintain out persistent moochers, nevertheless it’s a bummer paying an additional $33 for one thing that might have been constructed into the gadget.

Our testers felt that the entire points they recognized have been minor. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is superb at what it is designed to do. Whereas this cat feeder solely works for very particular eventualities, it handles that situation with aplomb.

_{Most Capability: 13.5 ounces | Dimensions: 7.875 x 9 x 12.625 inches | Weight: 5 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry and moist | Energy Supply: 4 C-cell batteries | Cellular App: No}

The Cat Mate C200 2 Meal Automated Cat Feeder options two compartments every able to holding as much as 1.5 cups of moist and/or dry cat meals. And it solely requires one AA battery to function, so you do not have to fret a few energy outage and you do not have to put the feeder close to an outlet. It is light-weight and a dependable alternative for sustaining a feeding schedule whereas touring with a cat.

On the base of the feeder beneath the meals containers, there is a spot for ice packs to sit down which is helpful in case you plan to place moist meals or perishable objects within the feeder for an prolonged time frame. The design is pretty intuitive and the setup course of is fast and simple, with the vast majority of the feeder assembled proper out of the field.

As for the interface, the simplistic expertise—whereas dependable—does depart room for enchancment. A knob provides you the power to delay the feeder from opening for as much as 48 hours, and every hour is represented on the knob by a dot with no regard for extra intervals. Which means you’re solely able to programming the feeder to open on the hour and never by the minute throughout the hour.

It additionally lacks among the different supplemental options that extra sturdy computerized feeders need to make distant feedings somewhat bit simpler, like Wi-Fi connectivity for monitoring and controlling through a cellular gadget. However relying in your way of life and your finances, this easy feeder would possibly present greater than sufficient to maintain you and your cat satiated.

_{Most Capability: 3 cups (1.5 per bowl) | Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 3 inches | Weight: 1.9 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry or moist | Energy Supply: One AA battery | Cellular App: No}

The PETLIBRO Air Automated Pet Feeder has every little thing you could reliably feed a cat on a timer, however lacks the helpful app that makes the WiFi version of this feeder our very favourite. As a substitute of the 30-day lithium-ion battery, this extra minimalist AIR mannequin comes with USB-C plug with a five-foot twine, with three D-cell batteries for backup in case the ability goes out while you’re away. An indicator on the gadget retains observe of how a lot battery life is left.

We examined the AIR in our New York lab and located that somewhat over seven cups of kibble was the utmost quantity it might maintain. The handbook feeding button works properly, and you’ll press it as much as 5 instances in a row for a bigger serving.

The default portion is 1/24 cup and you’ll program as much as six timers to dispense a most of 16 parts (two-thirds of a cup) at one time. However there is no such thing as a indicator confirming {that a} timer has been set, so we suggest you monitor the feeder over the course of a day to verify it is shelling out as you need.

The feeder arrives nearly totally assembled, aside from a chrome steel bowl and the plastic tray the bowl sits in—each of that are simple to wash. And to maintain undesirable pests from accessing the meals tank, a rotating barrier seals off entry via the feeding port. Plus, the lid has a press-to-release button that varieties a good seal to protect the freshness of your cat’s meals.

The PETLIBRO Air doesn’t connect with Wi-Fi so there is no such thing as a cellular gadget app, however the buttons are easy and hid behind a panel, making it unattainable in your furry buddy to alter the settings.

_{Most Capability: 2 liters (~8 cups) or 6 liters (~25 cups) | Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.1 x 12.2 inches (2 liters),  9.5 x 7.7 x 14.2 inches (6 liters) | Weight: 2.9 kilos (2 liters), 3.9 (6 liters) | Meals Sort: Dry | Energy Supply: Plug-in and three D-cell batteries | Cellular App: No}

Earlier than we examined the PETLIBRO AIR and Whisker Feeder-Robotic, this extremely handy feeder was our alternative for finest total, and the PETLIBRO Automated Pet Feeder continues to be a dependable computerized feeder with a number of completely different configurations at a really cheap value.

The PETLIBRO has an influence adapter and a battery backup (which makes use of three D-cell batteries). It has a good interface for programming a feeding schedule on the LCD display screen on the entrance of the gadget. It’s also possible to report a brief message to attract your cat to the bowl for feeding time.

Additionally included is a slot for a desiccant bag to maintain kibble dry. Nonetheless, since PETLIBRO recommends altering the desiccant each two weeks, it might not be value persistently shopping for filter refills until you reside in a really humid local weather.

You may schedule as much as 4 feedings a day, which might every be personalized to serve your most well-liked portion dimension. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to’t set a special schedule for various days, akin to weekends—the PETLIBRO will run the identical schedule daily. It has a 24-hour clock which eliminates any ambiguity and makes it much less probably you may set the gadget to feed on the unsuitable time, however takes some getting used to for these accustomed to a 12-hour clock with A.M. and P.M. settings.

Our testers have been additionally break up on the meals reservoir, which requires each palms to open. It is meant to make sure that your pet cannot acquire entry to the kibble within the reservoir, however testers discovered it aggravating to open and refill. Cleansing was additionally a little bit of a chore, with a number of parts that needed to be washed by hand.

However the largest draw back to the PETLIBRO Automated Pet Feeder was its stability—it was the one feeder that was knocked over and spilled meals throughout our stability take a look at. To be honest, we have been walloping feeders with a 10-pound sandbag, so we nonetheless assume the PETLIBRO will maintain up properly beneath most feeding circumstances. But when your cats are particularly rowdy, or in case you plan on utilizing the feeder for a canine, you would possibly need to look elsewhere.

Nonetheless, that is an total wonderful feeder, particularly for the worth. Whereas we’re highlighting the extra inexpensive mannequin as our “Finest Finances” choose, we additionally examined and might suggest the PETLIBRO Automated Canine & Cat Feeder, 2.4G Wi-Fi Enabled, which is almost the identical feeder however with Wi-Fi connectivity and an included app. It additionally options a chrome steel bowl.

Whereas the related model’s app did not impress as a lot because the software program included with the Whisker Feeder-Robotic, our tester nonetheless discovered it a helpful added function. There are different non-obligatory configurations of this feeder out there as properly, together with a bigger capability 6-liter model and a model with a semi-opaque reservoir that makes it simpler to see how a lot meals is left.

_{Most Capability: 4 or 6 liters | Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.5 x 12 inches | Weight: 4.74 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry | Energy Supply: Plug-in and three D-cell batteries | Cellular App: Sure}

In earlier variations of this roundup, we beneficial that house owners of a number of cats try the WellToBe Automated Pet Feeder with Two-Method Splitter, which holds as much as 20 cups of meals and consists of options like a voice recording and battery backup. After extra complete testing, we discovered the WellToBe operated successfully and allotted meals precisely. Nonetheless, our testers disliked numerous design selections, together with its brief energy cable, unusual button placement, and the way the 2 bowls do not snap onto the feeder, necessitating finicky changes.

As a substitute, our testers most well-liked the PETLIBRO Granary Automated Cat Feeder for Two Cats. We imagine it’s the higher choose for anybody who would like a feeder that gives a separate bowl for every cat. Plus, these separate bowls are each stainless-steel, which we desire to plastic bowls.

The PETLIBRO Granary seems to be somewhat like its namesake, with a spherical, silo design that reminded one tester of an air filter. The feeder has a locking lid that may hold your cats out, although one tester did discover it somewhat too easy to grip simply.

Total, we discovered the Granary to be among the many best to arrange of any gadget we examined, with intuitive programming on a digital show that introduced helpful info cleanly. You may program as much as ten meals a day and might regulate portion management right down to the tablespoon, with a most meal serving that is greater than 4 cups of dry meals.

The Granary has different helpful options, together with a battery backup, a handbook feeding button, and the power to report a brief “come and get it” message to your cats. Equally to the opposite PETLIBRO feeder we suggest on this roundup, it’s also possible to insert a desiccant bag within the kibble reservoir if there’s an opportunity of excessive humidity spoiling the saved meals.

The one draw back our testers famous was the meal splitter, which may be adjusted to serve different-sized parts in several bowls. In apply, we discovered it difficult to make exact changes. It was a minor flaw in a feeder that was in any other case a favourite of our testers.

_{Most Capability: 5 liters | Dimensions: 13.6 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches | Weight: 4.4 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry | Energy Supply: Plug-in and three D-cell batteries | Cellular App: No}

Comparable in design to our Transportable choose (the PetSafe Eatwell 5-Meal), the Cat Mate C500 Digital 5 Meal Canine & Cat Feeder makes use of a rotating, multi-compartment tray moderately than shelling out meals via a chute. This makes it supreme for semi-wet or moist meals since you’ll be able to load every compartment your self and schedule when it is “revealed” to your cat or cats.

However moist and canned cat meals spoils extra rapidly than dry meals and ought to be refrigerated after opening, making it more durable to set out upfront. The Cat Mate C500 solves this drawback by together with two ice packs beneath the rotating tray.

Whereas this makes the Cat Mate C500 helpful for pre-loading moist meals that may in any other case want refrigeration, it is nonetheless not an awesome choice for serving moist meals whenever you’re away. We discovered that the 2 ice packs stored the meals chilly in a single day however weren’t long-lasting sufficient to increase previous 24 hours.

Cat house owners who’re more likely to discover the Cat Mate C500 helpful embody anybody who’s sick of their cat waking them up and would moderately the cats regulate to ready by the feeder for his or her scheduled mealtime. It may be helpful for scheduling a serving of meals if you will be at work late.

The C500 may be programmed for as much as 5 scheduled mealtimes, with every compartment holding 1.25 cups of meals. Programming is simple, however one tester suggested that customers pay shut consideration that they are distinguishing a.m. and p.m. to keep away from a missed meal.

The Cat Mate C500 can be simple to wash for the reason that high cowl and the meals tray are dishwasher protected.

_{Most Capability: 1.7 liters | Dimensions: 12.2 x 11.89 x 3.7 inches | Weight: 14.8 ounces | Meals Sort: Moist or dry | Energy Supply: Three AAA batteries | Cellular App: No}

The PetSafe Six Meal Feeder is battery-power solely, utilizing 4 D-cell batteries. Whereas we usually really feel that it is preferable for computerized cat feeders to have each the power to plug right into a wall outlet and a battery backup (in case your own home loses energy whilst you’re away), there is not any denying the additional flexibility a battery-powered gadget can present.

Reasonably than being restricted to a wall outlet, you’ll be able to place the PetSafe Six Meal Feeder anyplace, permitting it to dwell wherever is most handy. Plus, with a battery lifetime of as much as 9 months, there’s little or no danger of dropping energy whilst you’re away, particularly in case you insert new batteries earlier than a visit.

The PetSafe computerized feeder is not probably the most totally featured feeder on this roundup, however its mixture of simple programming, helpful options, and tactile buttons makes it a sturdy, dependable choice. Feedings may be programmed to any time of day (in 15-minute intervals) on the LCD display screen.

It is easy to set as much as six completely different feeding instances a day. Or, set one feeding time, and the PetSafe carousel will dispense one in all its six meals into the bowl daily at that very same time. There’s additionally a separate button for shelling out a meal instantly. Because you fill the six compartments individually, you establish the parts—as much as one cup per meal.

Whereas these fundamental choices make programming simple, it additionally means the PetSafe feeder might not work for very particular meal plans. For instance, if you could feed cats at completely different instances day-to-day, there is not any method to do this for the reason that PetSafe dispenses on the similar time (or instances) daily.

“Every part about it was straight to the purpose, and there wasn’t something notably unhealthy about it,” one tester famous, characterizing the overall consensus that the PetSafe Six Meal Feeder was a strong, no-frills choice.

Whereas primarily used for dry meals, the PetSafe additionally works with semi-moist kibble, although testers did discover that some kibble stayed behind after feedings have been allotted, and generally meals caught in such a method that it obtained in the best way of simply closing the lid. Nonetheless, these have been minor points that did not impair any of our assessments of its scheduled operation.

Total, we discovered the PetSafe Six Meal Feeder easy and simple to make use of, with options that make it a strong choose for anybody on the lookout for a fundamental feeder. Plus, the BPA-free bowl and the meals carousel are dishwasher protected, making it one of many best computerized feeders to wash.

_{Most Capability: 6 cups | Dimensions: 15.7 x 9.6 x 6.4 inches | Weight: 2.85 kilos | Meals Sort: Dry or semi-wet | Energy Supply: 4 D-cell batteries | Cellular App: No}

The Petlibro Polar Moist Meals Feeder can hold 7.4 ounces of moist meals at a cool 50 levels or beneath for as much as three days. Its semiconductor cooling expertise rapidly chills a wide range of moist and semi-moist meals to protect taste and freshness—pausing half-hour earlier than scheduled feedings so meals may be served on the optimum temperature for finicky eaters. The all-in-one sensible app additionally permits you to schedule mealtimes and monitor your pet’s weight-reduction plan.

The feeder options an built-in PawShield design that safely retains moist meals in, an anti-pinch lid sensor that retains the lid open so long as your pet is consuming or close by, and a backup battery energy supply that gives 12 hours of safety in opposition to outages.

Whereas we’ve not examined this feeder ourselves, we do have plans to check it quickly. It has obtained some optimistic suggestions on Reddit.

_{Most Capability: 7.4 ounces | Dimensions: 14.2 x 13.4 x 7.7  inches | Weight: 7.5 kilos | Meals Sort: Moist and semi-wet | Energy Supply: Plug-in and three AAA batteries | Cellular App: Sure}