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The 11 Best Slow Feeder Cat Bowls 2021 [Stop Vomiting Now]
If your cat eats quickly then pukes it probably both worries you and makes you crazy.
The good news is there’s a simple solution to stop cats from eating too fast.
Take a regular old bowl, build some unique designs into it to spread the food out, voila! Now your cat needs to eat around the design barriers and can’t wolf down the food.
So let’s get right into some of the best slow feeder cat bowls of 2021.
Table of Contents
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The Best Slow Feeder cat bowls Quick Guide |
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Key Highlight |
Product Name |
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Best Overall |
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Best Ceramic Model |
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Most Economic |
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Great for Large Cats |
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Multi Cat Ceramic |
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Most Stimulating |
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Best Multi Pet Option |
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Most Ergonomic |
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Extra Large |
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Collapsible for Travel |
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Great For Flat Faced Cats |
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Automatic Release |
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Varying Difficulties |
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Additional Information |
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The Best Slow Feeder Cat Bowls
Cat Shaped Slow Feed Cat Bowl
If you’re looking for something designed specifically by veterinarians then this is the model from SimplyPets is for you. On top of that it is also environmentally friendly which is a huge plus as more of us are watching our ecological footprint.
As you can see it is cat shaped which is adorable, but it has also been designed and tested extensively to ensure it requires your cat to work for food, but isn’t too difficult to get frustrated and abandon eating.
A few other key notes worth looking at before purchasing:
- This bowl is manufactured from bamboo fiber and rice husk, totally safe for cats and the planet
- It was designed and tested by vets to ensure it has the proper balance of difficulty and speed
- It is larger than a traditional cat bowl to promote slower eating over a longer period
- It comes in three different colors so you can mix and match for fun or for specific pets
- Designed to work for both small and large breeds and has a low profile of 1.5″ tall
- The bowl is 100% dishwasher safe so you can disinfect it easily
“One of my two kitties is a big time gobbler and has been since the day we adopted him from the shelter. We’d tried separate rooms and multiple smaller meals per day, but it was difficult with our work schedule. This works great, we put food in when we walk out the door and we have only had one accident in the past few months!”
The following is a concern for some owners of this product:
- As with most other solid plastic bowls, flat faced cats can have a difficult time directly eating from the bowl and may abandon eating at all due to the frustration
DotPet Ceramic Slow Feed Plate
Even though this is much more a plate than a mat I wanted to include it because it is made of ceramic which is one of the best materials around for keeping things hygienic.
It is a very large plate with a lot of surface area that you can pour kibble or wet food onto. One of the biggest perks is the low profile of the plate which ensures cats of all kinds can easily eat from it.
A few other key items worth noting:
- Made of ceramic, it is by far one of the safest options because it is super easy to disinfect
- It is of course 100% dishwasher safe if you don’t feel like hand washing it
- The low profile, 1.6 inches at its peak, means even flat faced cats can easily use it
- It is quite large, the plate measures over 8 inches in diameter, meaning plenty of space for food
- The heavier weight of ceramic keeps it from sliding around even on hardwood floors
“It has done wonders for our cats that scarf and barf. The only problem we had with it was in the middle our Persian can’t reach the food. We started pouring it out toward the edges mostly and we haven’t had a single problem since then!”
Gulp Stopping Plastic Slow Feeder
This gulp stopping option comes in tons of different sizes and color options, so it is an excellent all around slow feeding bowl for cats of any size and homes of any decor!
It is make of melamine, which is a component used to make plastics. But not to worry, it is 100% non toxic and also 100% dishwasher safe for easy cleaning!
A few other key items worth noting about this bowl:
- It has three feed slowing humps built into the middle of it to minimize gobbling
- There’s a curved handle built right into the side of the bowl for easy pick up
- It has an anti slip rubber strip around the entire base to stop it from sliding around
- It comes in four different sizes, the half cup option is ideal for most cats
- There are 8 different color options so you can mix and match for multi pet houses
- The smallest option measures 5.5 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall
“It slowed down my food crazed kitty with ease! No more spewing after erasing an entire meal in a matter of minutes.”
It is worth considering the following:
- If your kitty doesn’t know to use her paws to move food then you’ll want to consider a different option, the depth of this bowl can make it difficult to get to the bottom of it
Fun Stop Slow Feeding Bowl
This is another great option in the family of slow cat feeding bowls that are made of plastic. All of the ridges and knobs in the center of the bowl make it perfect for slowing down even the most determined cat.
This bowl also has significant capacity if you need to feed multiple cats at the same time or if you’e got a cat that gulps, but fills up really quickly! It is also made of food safe plastic (meaning it is the same type of plastic we prepare human food on).
A few other key items worth noting:
- The bowl has a total of 13 ridges and knobs to slow your kitty down when eating
- All of the ridges and knobs are smoothed so your cat won’t get scratched or cut
- It has a huge capacity at over 7 inches in diameter and 1.8 inches deep
- The extra wide base makes it difficult to knock over and anti skid pads keep it in place
- There are three different color options available: blue, yellow and rose
“I have three cats and this works great for the two ten pound cats to share. The 16 pound boy (no he’s not overweight) has trouble getting his paws in to pull the kibble out though so don’t go with this if you’ve got a big cat.”
You’ll want to consider the following before making a purchase:
- If you’ve got a larger cat this might not be a great option because there isn’t space for large cat paws to get between the ridges and knobs built in.
Ceramic Slow Feeding Station
This is clearly a little bit different than your traditional slow feeding bowl. Pioneer Pet has flipped the paradigm on its head to make your kitty find the right spot to reach the food from.
There are lots of different holes in different shapes all around the feeding station and you can dump food right in the center of it. It even has a built in funnel in the top to make this easy.
Once the food is in the middle your cat can pull the food out to the edge and then chomp it down. At most they get a few kibbles each time. A few other great things worth noting:
- The feeding station limits your cat from eating quickly by making them work for the food
- The stations is 100% ceramic so it is totally safe for the dishwasher for disinfection
- Has a built in funnel in the top to easily pour food right into the middle
- Ceramic is a heavy material so the feeder doesn’t move around even when pawed at
- There are two color options, white and black, both look really nice and sleek
“An excellent way to reduce food intake and also challenge my little fluff balls overly active mind that is always looking for things to destroy! 4 paws up!”
The key issue worth considering on this option is:
- There is one design improvement that really needs to be made, there shouldn’t be a lip toward the edge of the feeder on the inside. It makes it very difficult for the cats to get the kibble out of the feeder to eat, too difficult. They can get frustrated and simply give up.
Cat Catch Interactive Feeding Bowl
Catch is a brand new way to turn eating into an interactive game for your kitty. It also creates a slower experience than simply gulping down every bit of food in front of your feline friend.
This helps not only entertain your cat and burn some calories, but it also ensures that your cat won’t eat too quickly and simply throw the food back up a few minutes later!
A few other key items worth noting about this option:
- This feeder is shown to slow consumption time by about 10 times a regular bowl
- Comes in a bright brilliant purple and is large enough to easily feed multiple cats at once
- This model measures about 10 inches by 9 inches and is 2.9 inches tall at the center
- It is made with high-quality, food-safe ABS plastic that is free of BPA, PVC & Phthalates
“My two young cats and my older cat all figured out how to use it quickly and it helped my older inactive cat lose a few pounds over about a 3 month period of time. Win win!”
The biggest concern noted by some users of this model is:
- You’ll probably need to visually teach your cat to pull the food out from between the raised areas of this model, they are too tightly packed to fit their head between them.
Outward Hound Multi Pet Slow Bowl
If you’re looking for a great slow feeder that might work for both cats and dogs then this is an excellent option. While this model was designed specifically for dogs, it still works great for cats too!
The rings are just big enough that most cats can’t easily stick their entire head into the trough areas and eat the food right out of it. This means they’ll need to paw it out or move it around until they can reach it which is great for stimulation and for some exercise!
A few other items worth noting on the Outward Hound option
- Naturally improves digestion by slowing your cats meals down significantly as they paw food out
- Easily helps reduce bloating and vomiting by ensuring your kitty can’t eat too fast
- Has a built in no slip base to stop it from skidding around as your kitty paws food out
- Has varying sizes and designs to easily accommodate multi cat and multi pet households
“It is adorable watching Jenny paw her food out a few kibbles at a time and eat them off her mat. It has totally stopped her from puking and made eating her meals a much longer part of her day. And of course it is good for her overall weight too.”
One key item worth noting on this option:
- Some cats don’t easily learn to paw their food out of this bowl and if they have a flat face they have have difficultly reaching the food in the deeper crevices
Northmate Interactive Cat Feeder
Northmate was one of the first to design an innovative feeder that stimulates a cat’s natural instincts and helps turn meal time into an inspiring hunting game instead of a gulp and puke game.
Even though it is a relatively simple solution it is incredibly effective and helps bring stimulation and fun to indoor cats that don’t normally get a chance to hunt other than during play time!
A few key items to note on this top of the line model:
- The purple spikes are designed to mimic hunting through tufts of grass in a field
- Designed to be 100% ergonomic and has no sharp edges that could injure your kitty
- The spikes decrease in length toward the outside to reward their work in moving food
- It is made of hard plastic (without phthalates) so is extremely durable and dishwasher safe.
“Our cat scarfs food down so fast she usually pukes up most of it completely undigested just a few minutes later. This has worked well in slowing her down and keeping her hard at work to get the food to the edges.”
You’ll probably want to consider the following before purchasing:
- This model may be hard for flat faced cats to eat from unless they learn to pull the food completely off the feeder and onto the ground
Extra Large Slow Feed Valley Bowl
If you’re looking for the ultimate slow feeder in regards to size then this is an excellent option. It is absolutely huge and can easily accommodate multiple cats at the same time! It holds up to six cups of food at one time.
This model is perfect for any household that has multiple cats that eat together and there’s a need to slow any of them down. The amount of food it holds and the size make it a breeze for even 3 or 4 cats at a time.
A few other features worth noting:
- Has 19 valleys to spread dry food across to ensure your cat can no longer gorge herself quickly
- It comes in at a whopping 10 inches by 15 inches and easily holds 6 cups of food
- Sits about 3 inches off the ground and the valleys are about 2 inches deep
- It has an extension you can purchase to raise it an additional 3 inches off the ground for big cats
- It also has a combination water dish you can purchase if you don’t already have a water fountain
- Made from durable dishwasher safe ABS polymer and made right in the USA
“I bought two of these for my six cats as several of them often eat and vomit after. This has slowed all of them down a bit and ensured that none of them eat fast enough to vomit anymore! It is absolutely huge and works well for my house.”
The key things to keep in mind before purchasing this feeder:
- It is absolutely gigantic coming in at 10 inches by 15 inches. Unless you have a need to feed multiple cats this is probably too big for you.
Collapsible Slow Feeding Bowl Set
If you’ve got a cat that travels often, or perhaps even an adventure cat that loves to go on walks and hikes, then this is the bowl for you. It fully collapsible into a disc that is less than an inch thick!
It is made of silicone and is 100% toxin free to keep your kitty safe and sound when eating! On top of this it travels super easily and comes fully equipped with a carabiner that can snap it onto your cat carrier.
A few other key items worth noting:
- Easily morphs into three different depths to accommodate slow feeding anywhere
- Comes with ridges of numerous sizes so even flat faced cats can reach food easily
- Features a carabiner hook to easily connect it to any backpack or backpack cat carrier
- The bowl is 7 inches in diameter and collapses to .7 inches tall when in slow feeding mode
- It is made from 100% pet safe silicone and has BPA free plastic rim so it is safe for your cat
“These work great for Angelo. I feed him both wet and dry and it works great for both. Super easy to clean and even though he’s somewhat sensitive the material doesn’t bother him one bit!”
Soft Silicone Slow Feed Mat Puzzle
One of the biggest complaints many cat owners have is that cats that have a flat face have difficulty getting to food in other slow feeding bowls. Although most cats will learn to paw their food out of the bowl some can easily get frustrated and give up.
This model is made of sturdy, but flexible silicone that will give when your kitty pushes on it. This means that even flat faced cats can push the silicone out of the way to get to the food on the entire feeding mat!
A few other key items worth noting on this option:
- This mat is made of soft durable silicone that is far more flexible than traditional plastic meaning it is easy for cats to push the waves out of the way to get to food between them
- The mat is low profile at only 1.2 inches making it easier to eat from for even flat faced cats
- The whole feeder is about 7.5 inches across meaning there’s plenty of space for lots of food
- Can be easily thrown in the dishwasher for deep or standard cleaning
“I had a hard plastic bowl slow feeder for my Himalayan and she had a really hard time eating out of it because she wasn’t good with her paws. This has made her life significantly easier and she doesn’t puke anymore!”
It is worth noting the following before you purchase:
- Smaller pieces of kibble are required to easily fit in between the wavy parts of the mat, using large format kibble will probably not work well
Trixie Cat Tunnel Slow Feeder
This is another slow feeder that is bordering closely on being a food puzzle as opposed to a traditional slow feeding bowl. This model enables owners to simply pour kibble into the top and then let the cats paw it out through the bottom.
Given that it doesn’t really require a lot of thinking, just some work, I’ve categorized it in my slow feeding bowl article! It can also be just as easily used for hard treats too if you’re looking to reward your kitty after some extra work.
A few key items worth noting:
- There is a bowl on top that releases food down into the base where six tunnels give access
- Your kitty will then poke, pull and grab at the food to drag it to the outside to eat
- You can adjust the speed at which the food and treats are dispensed from the top
- This model is completely dishwasher safe so it is easy to clean
- Cats of all sizes can easily use this model, kittens and huge Maine Coons can all get food
“I never thought I’d find an easy solution for my brand new adopted kitty until I tried this. He was always vomiting after every meal and this stopped it cold. He gets some extra exercise too!”
It is worth noting the following before purchasing:
- The white outer bowl should probably be about an inch wider to enable cats with any type of face to easily eat from the bowl, cats with flat faces often have to pull the food onto the floor which may make you want to get an automatic vacuum to run nearby daily
Catit Digger Slow Feeder For Cats
This definitely starts to edge into the idea of a food puzzle, but I’ve included it because it uses the same general mechanics of most slow feeding bowls in that it forces cats to paw food out of the tubes.
The nice part is that it is designed to allow for multiple cats to eat from it at the same time and it does have numerous tubes that you can fill to different levels for easier or more difficult eating.
All in all it is a great slow feeder and works well for multiple cats or kittens! A few items worth noting:
- There are a total of 5 tubes and a bowl type shape that can each have foot put in them
- Each tube and the bowl can be filled to different levels to provide easy and difficult access
- There are 3 short tubes and two tall tubes that can be rotated for difficulty
- It is compatible with other Catit Senses toys to keep your kitty entertained and stimulated
- You can wash it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning as well
- The Digger is quite large, 14.5 inches in diameter, so be sure you measure first
“Added some excitement to meal time for Fluffaluffagus. He used to just chow down the second the food hit the floor. Now he works for his meals by pawing the food out, but he doesn’t seem to mind one bit!”
It is worth noting the following on this before purchasing:
- Most cats will pull out several pieces of kibble at a time and make a huge mess while eating
Additional Information
Why Do Cats Vomit From Eating Too Fast?
Cats are quadrupeds which basically means they are on four legs instead of two.
This means your cat’s esophagus is horizontal rather than vertical. Food can slap against the lower esophageal sphincter and cause regurgitation of whole, undigested food several minutes after it’s consumed.
Slowing down gobbling will help.
Gobbling or wolfing down food can be due to many reasons, but there are two very common reasons.
Reason #1: Multi Cat Households
Cats that live in multi-cat households with portioned out meals can result in cats stealing food from one another. This is because some cats are more food motivated than others or simply like to eat more than others.
On top of this many cats simply like to chow their food down faster than other cats. My cats Lexi and Beast are totally different. Lexi loves to eat her entire meal right away, Beast grazes all day.
If I leave both bowls out Lexi will eat all the food immediately and Beast will end up with nothing the entire day. But when it comes to puking, the biggest problem is simply that Lexi eats everything so darn quickly.
Reason #2: Experiences of the Past
Even if your cat currently lives in a house with no other pets and no risk of her food being stolen she may still have memories or reflexes driven from her previous life.
Many cats that were strays in the past are prone to gobbling food down very quickly because they had strong competition or they simply didn’t feel safe where they were eating their meals.
Slow feeding bowls are a great way to help minimize this behavior. Over time your cat should adjust to understanding that they no longer need to worry about their food being stolen and there will be plenty to go around.
This video from Dr. Karen Becker is also very helpful in describing a wide variety of other reasons that cats may vomit. If from reading this article it doesn’t sound like gobbling is the problem then watch the video:
What Types of Slow Feeders Are There?
There are a couple of different types of slow feeders on the market. Each one has benefits and drawbacks, so we’ll briefly outline them here so you get a feel for which one might be right for your situation.
Traditional Stationary Hard Plastic
The traditional hard plastic option is going to resemble a cat bowl quite closely. The key difference you’ll note is that it’ll have lots of ridges or barriers built into the middle of the bowl.
These are there to stop your cat from simply jamming his face into the bowl and wolfing down all of the feed as quickly as possible. The idea is your cat will have to move food with his paws to get it where he can access it.
The biggest benefits of these types of slow feeders is that they are typically durable, easy to clean, and come in at a very low price point. On top of this you’ll usually find they have lots of little features after years of development to make them easy for owners to use too (think anti skid feet for example).
Soft Rubber or Silicone Feeders
Soft rubber and silicone versions are typically going to have a flat base with a lot of things sticking straight up out of the base. The shapes and sizes may vary, but more often than not they resemble a small patch of tree trunks glued to a rubber base.
The key difference here is that they are flexible whereas a hard bowl is not. Hard bowls generally require the cat to directly move the food with this paws.
Softer feeders allow for this but also enable your cat to sneak between them with just his face. They’re also generally speaking easier to get wet food out of as you can bend them easily to scrub or spray them.
Ceramic Bowls and Feeders
Ceramic slow feeders are going to heavily resemble both hard and soft feeders, they’ll just be made of ceramic instead.
The key reason you’d want to consider ceramics is that they are not a porous material. This basically means it is difficult for bacteria to take hold and develop, especially if you wash the feeder in hot water like a dish washer frequently.
Ceramics are also quite heavy in comparison to standard plastic which gives them extra weight to stay in place if you’ve got a rather rambunctious cat.
Stainless Steel Options
Similar to ceramic options, stainless options are going to resemble those of hard plastic feeders for the most part. There aren’t many stainless options on the market at the moment.
Stainless steel is super lightweight and very difficult to break, it is also a non porous material like ceramic so it is very easy to clean effectively.
If you are set on stainless steel your best option may be to buy a traditional stainless steel cat bowl and simply flip it over and use the bottom instead of the top as the bowl.
Puzzle Driven Feeders / Activity Centers
Puzzles are a good option as well, but I’d personally categorize them as a different type of feeder for a different purpose. That purpose is usually to make a regular cat work for their food either because they have too much energy or they simply need to lose weight.
You can read more about them in the next section for alternatives.
Are There Alternatives To Slow Feeding Bowls?
If you’ve tried a slow feeding bowl or think your cat(s) will not do well with it then there are other options you can try. If you have only one cat with this issue then try multiple small meals. If you’ve got multiple cats there are several options you can try.
Single Cats: Multiple Small Meals
Spreading meals out is the best option if you’ve got a lone cat that still eats far too quickly and the slow feeding bowl doesn’t seem like a viable option.
You’ll want to provide several more meals a day but do so in much smaller portion sizes. The key concern with this method is that it is time consuming and you may not be available to provide multiple meals.
Given this one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is through using automatic cat food dispensers. These dispensers can drop very small amounts of food multiple times a day so your cat can’t gobble enough to get sick.
Several of the feeders will even allow you to manually drop food whenever you want from a mobile phone application. On top of this you can combine this with a slow feeding bowl so the dry food drops into a slow feeding bowl in very small portions.
Multi Cats: Feeding Separately
Feed your cats in separate areas of the house or in separate rooms with completely closed doors. Closed doors are a necessity for this to ensure it works properly, otherwise the fast eating cat will
If you give your cat about 30 minutes to eat on his own before opening the doors back up that is typically sufficient to ensure that your gobbling cat won’t be able to cause a ruckus and chow the extra food down.
One additional consideration is an item called a SureFeed Microchip cat feeder. These work particularly well in multi cat households because they can secure the food for each cat with microchip access.
Basically, you can put smaller portions out for your gobbler and regular ones for your non gobbler, but the microchip in your cat’s neck will stop your gobbler from getting into the other cat’s food!
For more detailed information on other reasons cats might vomit check out this great article from Dr. Karen Becker.
What About Food Puzzles?
Food puzzles are a great alternative consideration to slow feeders. They are designed quite a bit differently though and may not serve the exact same purpose.
Food puzzles are usually designed to make your cat think and waste energy while eating. This means they often require a sharp and active cat and they may require some more thinking from your side as well to get them prepared.
On top of this many of the more basic food puzzles can leave a mess of kibble behind all over the house if your cat isn’t a very dedicated eater. This is because they are often balls filled with food that dumps out as your kitty plays with it.
Slow feeders have the single goal of dragging out how long it takes your kitty to finish a meal. If your key goal is to stop vomiting from eating too quickly then I’d recommend trying a slow feeder bowl first.
If however you’re looking to also entertain your cat and provide some mental stimulation then a food puzzle can be a great choice to consider.
Are Slow Feeders Good for Weight Loss?
While a slow feeder is primarily geared toward helping your cat slow down their consumption, most of them are not specifically designed to do the one key thing that helps cats lose weight.
On the bright side a slow feeder will usually give cats that eat too much a feeling that they are full sooner than if they simply gulp down all their food quickly. This works the same way with humans.
The slower you eat the more likely your body is to tell you that you’re full before you finish a meal.
But there are two words a slow feeder can’t account for.
Portion control.
If you do not control the portions of food you feed your cat then a slow feeder may force them to burn a few extra calories while eating, but it will usually not do enough to help them lose significant weight.
Controlling the amount of food your cat eats is by far the best method for helping your kitty lose weight if they are overweight. A slow feeder can only do this if you decide to control the amount of food added.
It is also important to remember that if your cat needs to lose weight it should be a gradual process. You shouldn’t start cutting their portions in half immediately, instead you’ll need to gradually slim them down.
You can read more on PetMD for details on slow feeders and weight loss for cats.
DIY Slow Feeding Bowls For Cats
Although slow feeder bowls are quite cheap these days (usually less than ten dollars), there are of course ways to get yourself a slow feeder at even less cost if you’re willing to work a bit!
One option that is pretty straight forward is to simply use a baking sheet designed to make muffins. Spread out your cat’s food in each of the muffin sections and let them slowly paw it out.
Another method I’ve seen people use to create their own slow feeder is to buy both a glass bowl and a glass and simply glue the glass to the base of the bowl on the inside.
You’ll need to choose a bowl with a flat bottom and a cup that fits close to the sides of the bowl so that your cat will basically need to paw the food out of the bowl as they eat.
Do note there are some drawbacks to this method:
- You’ll need to do all the work yourself
- You’ll need to find non toxic glue
- The glue won’t hold up in a dish washer
Given the low cost of slow feeders I’d recommend simply purchasing one that is dishwasher safe for the additional safety provided from being able to wash and disinfect it easily.
Wrapping It Up on Slow Feeders
If you’ve got a feline that is constantly vomiting from eating too quickly then one of the best slow feeding bowls for cats is a great option to consider.
The behavior that causes gobbling could just be a personality trait or it could be based on life experience. You’ll want to take this into account to determine the best solution.
If you manage to slow your cat’s eating down and they are still vomiting then you’ll want to get your kitty to the vet straight away and get them checked out. Constant vomiting is not “normal” cat behavior and you should ensure there isn’t something else causing it!
If you have any experience with your own cats and methods for slowing down their eating or minimizing how much they vomit then please share them in the comments below!
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The 17 Best Automatic Cat Feeders 2021 [Set It & Forget It!]
If you’re looking for a way to feed your cat automatically then you’ve come to the right place. An auto feeder can help ensure your cat doesn’t go hungry for any reason: work, waking you up early, keeping you up late, etc.
So pop open the quick guide below and find the best automatic cat feeders of 2018. You’ll find ones dedicated to helping your cat eat more slowly and ones dedicated to feeding your kitty if you’re simply away at work.
Table of Contents
The Best Automatic Cat Feeders
#1 WOpet 7L Automatic Cat Feeder
WOpet brings one of the best auto feeders available to the market. Not only does it come with tons of amazing features that every cat owner will love, but it also comes with a boatload of rave reviews from owners (beyond myself).
If you purchase this automatic feeder you will not regret it one bit. If anything you’ll relish in the additional sleep you get or the confidence you have that your feline friend has a full tummy while you’re away!
Key features worth noting on this model are:
- You can schedule up to 4 automated feedings per day using the built-in programmable time
- Program each meal time with a few button clicks on an easy to use LCD screen
- Features a built in microphone and speaker so you can record a custom message for fluffy
- Control food portions from 2 teaspoons to 4.5 cups per feeding
- The tray is removable and dishwasher safe for easy disinfecting
- Runs primarily on a wall powered plug, but can operate on three D batteries too
“I really can’t recommend this highly enough. It gives me peace of mind when I get stuck at work late!”
“I got him this because I can’t always be home at mealtimes due to work. This feeder allows me to give him a specific amount of food at set times of day.”
A few things you may want to consider before purchasing:
- This model is only good for dry food, you can’t use it for wet food.
#2 SureFeed Microchip Cat Feeder
This is by far one of my favorite products I’ve ever purchased for my cats. The primary reason I needed it was because one of my cats steals my other cat’s food. The SureFeed Mircochip feeder allows my little Beast to graze all day while keeping Lexi’s roving jaws away from her food.
The claim to fame on this feeder, and it does work without fail, is that you can link your cat’s Microchip to the feeder and it’ll open up only for that cat. Pretty darn cool and helps minimize food thieving! A few other things worth noting:
- Works great for both wet or dry food, the seal keeps wet food fresh for a few hours
- Extremely easy to setup and link your cat’s microchip to the feeder, stores up to 30 chips
- If your cat doesn’t have a chip it comes with a chip that can be attached to your cat’s collar
- The lid has various settings to open/close so you can quickly train your cat to use it
- Runs on 4 C batteries and the battery life has been well over 6 months in my experience
- Super easy to load and to clean, comes with two dishwasher safe bowls
“The SureFeed feeder has eliminated our cat’s food anxiety and restored our sanity! And it helps stop my other cat from stealing his food so they can both stop gaining weight.”
This model is designed primarily to limit access to food, so definitely consider the following:
- There is no portion control or timed release schedule on this model
#3 Westlink 6L Automatic Feeder
If you’re looking to keep your cat healthy and happy then you want to make sure he or she gets the right amount of food at the right time. This can be difficult to do if you’re busy at work all day or if your cat likes meals at inopportune times.
Getting the Westlink Auto Feeder is a great way to keep your cat happy which will help keep you happy! Key features worth noting on this model are:
- Program it to dispense up to 4 meals a day on the easy to use screen
- Each meal dispense from 1-39 Portions, Each Portion is around 10-12g
- Built in infrared detection which can prevent food waste by detecting food in the bowl
- Runs on a USB cord or on 3 D batteries in case you want it where there’s no plug
- You can record a full 10 second message to play each time food is dispensed
“I’ve had about 5 different auto feeders in the past 10 years and this one is by far the easiest to set up, tune, clean, fill, power, and travel with.
A few things you may want to consider before purchasing:
- This model is made only to dispense dry cat food
- Maximum food size is .39″ x .39″ otherwise it will jam (this is huge for cats anyway)
#4 Petutor 6L Cat Food Dispenser
This model is going to have a lot of similarities to the Westlink model that is listed above. The key distinction between the two of them is really in the color combination available. Beyond that there’s not a ton of difference.
If you’re looking for a way to keep your cat’s tummy full so they get the right level of nutrition then this is a great option! Key things you’ll want to consider on this model:
- It has a total capacity of 6 liters of food which is plenty for a long time between refills
- It can dispense between 1 and 39 portions each time and a portion is about 10-12 grams of food
- You can set 4 different meals at different times of the day and each can be turned on or off
- You can record your voice to play each time food is dispensed for your kitty
- An infrared sensor is built in to help minimize food getting stuck in the dispenser chute
- It runs on a USB cord or on 3D batteries in case of a power outage
A few things you may want to consider:
- You cannot load wet food into this dispenser
#5 Petnet 2nd Gen Smart Feeder
If you’re looking for a feeder that will help you make decisions then this is the model for you. Petnet’s app is definitely a cut above the rest. It’ll give you recommendations on portions for your cat based on a quick survey.
It’ll also let you know when it is running low on food and needs a refill. Are we getting close to sentient cat feeders? It appears so! It is even smart enough to recharge itself and run for 2 full days without power! A few other items worth noting:
- Compatible phone app for iOS and Android to make programming and feeding easy
- The Petnet App will recommend personalized meal portions based on pet breed/age/weight/activity (you should verify with your vet)
- Petnet will notify you when your pet has been fed and when it needs a refill
- The bowl is 100% dishwasher safe to help keep your kitty happy and healthy
- Plugs into the wall and has a built-in rechargeable backup battery with 2 days of battery life
- Purchase includes free trial of Petnet Smart Delivery: Food delivered to your door just in time to keep it fresh for your cat
A few things you may want to consider:
- It isn’t recommended for multiple pets, it is designed for a single cat
- Requires a 2.4 GHz modem (b/g/n band) in order to operate (note most home modems are fine)
#6 Arf Pets Dry Food Dispenser
If you’re looking to keep reaching paws out of your automatic cat food dispenser then this is a great option for you. Not only will they not be able to reach up from the bottom, but the top has a magnetic locking lid too!
If you’ve got one of those crafty kitties that has found their way into other feeders then this might be the right fit for you! A couple of other things that you should know about this model:
- You can set 4 meals a day and each meal can have 1-10 portions (a portion is 24 ml)
- It has a capacity of about 4.3 liters
- It has a magnetic locking lid to keep searching paws out of the food reservoir
- The LCD lights up blue and features a clock & display with super easy settings
- It runs on 3 D Batteries or a regular power cable to an outlet
- You can use the built in mic and speaker to record 10 second meal calls
“Every aspect of this feeder has proven to be above and beyond my expectations!”
One thing you may want to consider before making a purchase:
- Large sized kibble doesn’t seem to work well with this model and may jam it
#7 Iseebiz Automatic Cat Feeder
Looking for something a bit more modern? Tired of very functional square and rectangular shaped feeders? Then check out this awesome feeder from Iseebiz!
It has a ton of the great features other models have, but it certainly looks a heck of a lot cooler! Let’s dig into the key items worth noting:
- Features 4 meal settings per day with 1-39 portions per meal, a portion is 10-12 grams
- The total capacity is about 3 liters so you’ve got lots of space for a long period of time
- There’s an infrared detector built in to minimize jamming in the food chute
- It is made of completely BPA free plastic
- Meal calls can be recorded and played at the time of feeding
- Uses a standard USB power supply or 3 D batteries in case of a power outage
“My cat can’t break into this thing, it is like the Fort Knox of cat food!!!!”
You’ll want to consider the following before you push that buy button:
- It can be difficult to open the top of this model to refill the food unless you have large hands
#8 HoneyGuardian 6 Meal Cat Feeder
If you’re looking for one of the most versatile feeders on the market then Honey Guardian absolutely has you covered. You can choose from a huge variety of portion sizes on this model and you get a total of 6 meals a day instead of the traditional 4 meals a day most feeders provide.
A couple of key things any buyer would want to know and a full video review are below:
- It allows for 6 meals to be programmed each day, more than the normal 4 you get
- The storage container holds a total of about 2.8 liters of food
- You can record meal time calls for your kitty and it has infrared anti jamming technology
- It will run on both USB power as well as 3 D batteries in case the power goes out
“With this feeder, it’s impossible for Winston to finagle more food like he used to. He sticks his little paws up there, body slams it, and meows, but not so much as a single kibble pops out. Then he leaves disappointed. The machine is boss.”
#9 Petsafe Slow Mode Feeder
If you need the ability to drop numerous meals or slow meals then you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you have numerous cats or you you’ve got a cat that is prone to getting sick if they eat too fast.
Whatever reason you might have, this model gives you the ability to do 12 programmed meals a day. A few other major items wroth noting:
- The biggest selling point is the capacity to program in 12 meals a day
- Each meal can be from 1/8th of a cup up to 4 cups and it has a 24 cup capacity
- Slow Feed mode dispenses food over 15 minutes to prevent bloat and vomiting
- Uses an innovative conveyor that dispenses most dry and semi-moist foods
- It can run on either battery power (4 Ds) or on a conventional power plug
One thing you’ll want to keep in mind before purchase is:
- The power adapter is not included and is kind of ridiculous price wise
#10 Pet Safe Smart WiFi Feeder
If you’re tech savvy and you’re looking for a kick butt smart feeder for your cats then this is a great option to consider! Fully accessible on either iOS or on Android by mobile app and you can program it right from your phone!
It also has a lot of the options available from the Pet Safe premier slow feeder in this article. Key features worth noting on this model are:
- Fully compatible iOS and Android app to make programming and feeding easy
- You’ve got the ability to program up 12 meals a day and use the ‘feed now’ option for one offs
- Meals can range from 1/8th of a cup all the way up to 4 full cups if you have multiple cats
- There’s a total capacity of 24 cups of food in the reservoir
- Slow Feed uses a unique conveyor belt to drop food over 15 preventing bloating and vomiting
- It can run on either 4 D batteries (not included) or on a conventional power plug (included)
- Locking lid and a stainless steel bowl for additional safety for your cat
- There is a food chute splitter available from a 3rd party to dump the food in multiple bowls
One key item worth noting before you make your purchase:
- Requires a 2.4 GHz modem (b/g/n band) in order to operate (note most home modems are fine)
#11 PetSafe 6 Meal Carousel Feeder
If you’re looking for an option that is very unlikely to jam or run into food locking issues then this is a great option. This model doesn’t use an augur to dispense food out of the reservoir, instead you preset the portions yourself and it simply drops them down the open chute.
Each time a new meal is programmed to drop the carousel inside turns and then immediately opens. This ensures that prying paws can’t access the next meal. A few other things worth noting:
- This model allows for up to 6 meals to be programmed: 1 a day, 2 a day, etc.
- Each meal can have up to 1 full cup of dry or semi moist food in it
- It requires 4 D alkaline batteries which have an estimated battery life of 9 months
- Both the bowl and the food tray are removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
- Also features a feed now button to easily deploy the next meal immediately
- The built-in digital clock and LCD display makes setting up meals a breeze
“This automatic feeder has virtually eliminated our cat’s food anxiety and restored our sanity!”
One key item worth noting on this model before you move forward:
- There is no plug available to power this feeder so you’ll always depend on batteries
#12 Cat Mate Wet/Dry Auto Feeder
If you’re looking for an auto feeder that can support wet food then you’ve come to the right place. The Cat mate C500 is specifically designed to accommodate both wet and dry food. Most feeders are only good for dry food so this is a huge win!
This model works by prepping the meals in advance and then sealing the top over the tray. The tray rotates inside and makes each new meal available at the programmed time. A few other items worth noting:
- There are a total of 5 food compartments that each hold up to 11.5 oz of wet food
- A simple LED display makes it easy to program all 5 meals and shows all 5 times
- Both the bowl and the lid are super easy to remove and are dishwasher safe
- Twin reusable ice packs are included and help keep the wet food safe and fresh
- The digital timer is operated by 3 AA batteries with a battery life of about a year
- Can be easily secured to a wooden board for additional stability to stop prying paws
“My food obsessed fur ball has yet to break into it, quite a feat!!”
A few things you may want to consider:
- Buying the Cat Mate ice packs is expensive, opt for an alternative after you measure them
- There is no plug available to power this feeder so you’ll always depend on batteries
#13 Crown Feeder & Water Dispenser
Looking for a combination feeder and water dispenser that match and look great together? You’ve found the right fit right here. Crown’s Platinum feeder and side by side water dispenser kill two birds with one stone.
They provide a great automatic feeder with 4 programmable meals a day and they keep a constant supply of water available too.
- You can schedule up to 4 different feeding times per day with portions ranging from 1/8th of a cup up to a full cup of dry cat food
- Has a huge 4.4 pound reservoir to hold dry cat food
- You can record 12 second meal calls with your feeder to let your kitty know it is coming
- Can be either plugged in or powered by 4 AA batteries
- It includes a detachable water drinking bowl and hopper extension
- It comes with a stainless steel bowl that is both removable and of course dishwasher safe
“Perfect for a con artist like my kitty that tries to beg her way into extra meals multiple times a day!”
It is worth considering the following if you’re thinking of this one specifically for the water reservoir:
- The water dispenser is a still water source, you may want to consider a water fountain instead
#14 Sailnovo Food & H20 Combo
Designed to put both water and food in the same station, this option gives you both a gravity driven water dispenser and a set of 4 rotating food trays. This option is on the low profile side compared to some of the other larger feeders out there.
A few other things worth noting to prospective buyers:
- You can program up to 4 meals per day (wet or dry) with the easy to use LCD screen
- Dual button unlocking ensures that your pet won’t be able to change the settings
- It features a gravity driven water dispenser built into the top which helps stop pets from tipping it
- Features meal calls so you can record your voice each time a new meal is exposed
- The rotating food tray is powered by 3 D batteries and has an anti slip base
“It is a trustworthy auto feeder and it does the job as well as any robot could be expected to!!”
One thing you may want to consider before purchasing this option:
- There is no plug available to power this feeder so you’ll always depend on batteries
#15 5 Meal Disc Feeder (Dry and Wet)
A great option among low to the ground disc shaped feeders, this model by Tydynasty Design gives you the option to go with a total of 5 meals of wet or dry food. This is a great option if you have a cat that only goes for wet food.
A couple of other key items worth noting on this model:
- The meal compartments rotate open at the desired time, there are 5 slots at 240 ml each
- You can set up to 4 designated meal times (one slot is always open)
- Meal calls can be recorded and replayed up to 3 times each time a meal is rotated
- It runs on either a wall plug or on 4 C batteries in case of an outage
- Has a built in locking mechanism to keep curious pets out of additional food slots
- It is made completely of BPA free plastic so it is safe around your kitty
One key item worth considering for this disc feeder is:
- There is no ice pack in this model, you can use it for wet food but not over long periods
#16 Petsafe 5 Meal Disc Feeder
Petsafe has been in the industry for over 28 years now and they still continue to develop high quality products that help pet owners take better care of their animals. The Petsafe 5 Meal auto feeder is no exception.
This is a great rotating disc style feeder that will ensure your cat gets the food she needs when you’re not home. A few key features worth noting:
- The LCD display makes setting meals a breeze with easy to use buttons.
- Each of the 5 slots holds up to a full cup of food: dry or semi wet food recommended
- You can use full on wet food and use a spare tray to hold ice and keep it cool
- Removable tray carousel is dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning
- Has a suspend feeding button to maintain the schedule while you temporarily stop it
- It runs on 4 D batteries
- It is made of BPA-free plastic so it is safe for your feline friend
“Best product I bought in decades and my cat loves it!”
Keep this in mind before pushing the purchase button:
- There is no plug available to power this feeder so you’ll always depend on batteries
#17 Antblocker Auto Cat Feeder
***Update as of 12/29/18*** – This product is no longer available.
If you’re looking for a high tech version of an automatic cat feeder then this is definitely one you should consider. Not only does it have an app that let’s you control feedings, but it also has a built in camera.
You can login whenever and feed your kitty and keep an eye on them while they eat too! Added bonus for you tech savvy folks that can’t live without seeing your cat for a day. There are a couple things worth noting noting on this model:
- Comes with a mobile app (Android and iOS compatible) to setup your feeding schedules or to manually feed your cat
- There’s built in audio and video so you can both see and talk to your cat while they eat
- The locking lid helps keep food fresh and secure for an extended period of time
- Each meal can be up to 10 portions and a portion is about 10 grams
- It has a solid capacity at 4.5 liters and lets multiple family members login to feed your cat
- Even if the feeder can’t connect to the WiFi it will continue to feed on the set schedule
A few things you may want to consider:
- There is no battery backup for this model in case of a power outage
- You’ll need a router with a 2.4 GHz channel to use this model, be sure to check your router first
Additional Information
Why Would I Want An Auto Feeder?
There are lots of reasons people consider an automatic cat food dispenser in their home, but the most common reasons can be broken into a couple of key categories.
Sanity
Lots of cats are prone to wake their human companions up at all hours of the evening or morning meowing for food. Auto feeders can help handle this issue quite easily by automatically releasing food for your kitty at any programmed time.
Note many cats make noise at night and people assume they want food. This activity is often because the cats don’t get enough exercise during the day and they aren’t tired so they don’t go to sleep. Be sure your kitty is getting enough exercise!
Preventing Vomiting:
Lots of cats have issues with eating very quickly and then getting sick even more quickly. This if often driven by food anxiety. There are lots of different ways to deal with this, but an automatic feeder with a slow feeding function or with small portion control makes helps extensively.
If your cat cannot eat too much too fast then her stomach is unlikely to react poorly. Lots of small portions ensures your cat won’t get sick all over the house!
Short Term Travel & Long Working Hours
If you travel often or perhaps work long hours then an automatic feeder can help relieve some of the stress of ensuring your feline friends get fed even if you’re not around. “Just set it and forget it.” as the old saying goes.
Many feeders are also have tons of features that ensure you can login and see your cat and even talk to your cat through the built in speaker. It helps give you a touch of home while you’re away which is always nice!
I myself travel extensively for work (usually on 24 hour trips) and it is always nice to be able to quickly login and see Beast or Lexi for a moment and watch them eat their dinner or their breakfast.
It is also nice when I get stuck at the office late because I don’t need to worry about them waiting an extra few hours for me to get home and give them their dinner.
General Health & Medications
Eating huge meals has proven to be just as poor for cat health as it is for human health. Eating smaller meals in more spread out periods throughout the day helps promote better health for your cat. At the least it encourages your cat to walk back to the feeder each time which is some exercise.
On top of this some cats, like diabetic cats, need to have meals at very consistent times to properly maintain blood sugar levels. You’ll also find many cats that simply require daily medication can have it deployed in one of these auto feeders.
Simply put the treat and the medicine in one of the rotating disc type feeders and set the timer and your kitty will have their medicine right on time! This of course assumes your kitty will eat their medicine!
What Types of Features Are There?
Portion Control Options
This option is available to control both the overall amount of food your cat eats as well as how much food is consumed at any one time. This is important for keeping a limit on overall calorie intake and also ensures your cat won’t end up vomiting if they eat too quickly.
Meal Programming Options
Depending on the design of your feeder this usually ranges from allowing 4 meals up a day up to 12 meals a day. This helps keep your cat’s diet in check by controlling the total number of calories your cat eats and how often he or she eats.
There are some other feeders that will do as few as 2 meals or even 1 automated meal, but I didn’t include any of these in my list for various reasons.
Dispensing Technology
This is one of the most important pieces of selection criteria because it will depend heavily on your cat’s eating habits. There are a couple of main dispensing methods:
Disc Feeders: These have a tray that rotates for each feeding period. Food is prepared in advance and you can provide variability for your cat quite easily.
Pros of Disc Feeders:
- Very simple in design and in use
- Not prone to jamming like augur based feeders
- Can be used with dry, semi moist and sometimes even moist food
Cons of Disc Feeders:
- The most meals I’ve seen a disc feeder allow is 6
- They don’t have a reservoir so they usually require daily attention
- Usually don’t have any App based or internet capabilities
Reservoir Augur Feeders: These feeders have a large reservoir built into the top of them and they release a specific amount of food for each meal. The usually use an augur to do this. Food sits above and the augur turns to spin dry kibble out into the bowl.
Pros of Reservoir Augur Feeders:
- Allow for a large number of meals to be programmed
- Built in portion control capabilities
- Often more technically savvy: WiFi enabled, apps, webcam, etc.
- Often allow for an immediate feeding button even when away
Cons of Reservoir Augur Feeders:
- The augur can sometimes jam when food calls in it at a poor angle
- Your cat will get the same food all the time, you can’t mix dry and semi moist and wet
Reservoir Conveyor Feeders: These are less common, but they are unique in design in purpose. They are specifically designed to minimize bloating/vomiting in cats with food anxiety. They have a reservoir, but instead of using an augur they use a conveyor belt that can move at an incredibly slow rate to drop food out over a 15 minute period of time.
Pros of Reservoir Conveyor Feeders:
- Slow motion food deployment to minimize bloating and vomiting
- Otherwise same as reservoir augur feeders
Cons of Reservoir Conveyor Feeders:
- Same as reservoir augur feeders
Meal Calls
This option allows you to record a message that plays each time a new meal is deposited into the bowl or rotated into the available eating slow. The purpose is to make your cat feel like you are feeding her even when you’re not around.
It is also somewhat of an alert to let your cat know the food is out, but most cats know by the sound of the feeder after a few days. In fact, many of them learn the time that feeder drops food and they’ll be there waiting for it before it even drops.
Cat Specific Access Control
This is not a common feature, but it is definitely an important feature if you are trying to limit which cat has access to which food. The SureFeed Microchip feeder is the only feeder I know that has this capability.
It basically ensures that only a cat with a specific microchip can get into the feeder. This is essential when you have cats that are food thieves or when you simply want to feed one cat more than another cat.
Note that the SureFeed microchip feeder is not designed to stop a determined and aggressive cat or dog. It does a solid job of resisting being opened, but an aggressive animal can pry it open (and potentially damage it in the process) so be sure to keep an eye on it the first few times you use it.
Food/Water Combinations
This option basically combines a gravity driven water bowl with the food dispenser. It is simply intended to combine everything in one place for simplicity both in purchase and daily use.
Note that research shows that cats are far more prone to drink running water from a fountain than they are to drink still water. This is assumed to be driven by instincts that tell cats still water is more likely to have diseases or parasites lurking in it.
Backup Battery Operation
Most feeders function by being plugged into a standard wall outlet, but there are some that are completely battery driven too. Those that are plugged in often have a battery backup system in case the power goes out while you’re away.
You can also use the batteries by default and put the feeder in a place that doesn’t have a plug. Most feeders are low power consumption so the batteries will last for months.
Ice Packs / Cooling Tech
Some of the disc based feeders listed here will allow you to insert ice packs inside them to keep wet food cold. This is a huge benefit in keeping wet food fresh and will ensure it doesn’t spoil throughout the day.
It is important to note though that the air seal is probably the most important piece of keeping wet food fresh throughout the day. Usually air flow causes it to dry out and become stale and hard. Ice helps, but it won’t solve the problem completely.
Which is Right For My Cat(s) and I?
Choosing the right feeder can be a bit of a complicated process because of the sheer number of options available on the market. I recommend reviewing the features above in detail and determining which are important to you and your cats.
This should give you a good idea of the general type of feeder you’ll need. But here’s a quick example that might help. Let’s suppose I’m in this situation:
- I’m single and I have 2 adult cats and I work long hours
- Once in a while I make overnight trips for work
- My cats are both grazers and only eat when they are hungry
- My cats like both wet and dry food
In this situation I’d likely go for a disc type feeder that allows for the insertion of ice packs. Then I would rotate both dry and wet food into the slots depending on my daily schedule.
Go through a similar process with your own cat(s) and you’ll quickly identify the right type of feeder for you and your family. The rest of the features are mostly just additional benefits!
How Dependable Are They?
Auto feeders are growing more and more dependable by the day. Many of the feeders are now starting to feature tons of alerts and notifications if they encounter any sort of problem. These can be sent directly to your phone to let you know there’s an issue you need to resolve.
If you plan to depend on your feeder for any extended period of time I’d highly recommend buying it far in advance of any vacation or trip and testing it for several days first. Not only will this ensure you programmed it properly, but it’ll ensure you didn’t get a defective one shipped to you.
My personal opinion is that you should still have someone look in on your cats if you plan to leave for any long period of time. This ensures your kitty won’t end up with a jammed feeder or a power surge blowing the feeder’s circuits.
Can They Substitute for a Cat Sitter?
The resounding answer is absolutely not. You should not expect an automatic feeder to do the job of a cat sitter. This is true no matter how many electronic gadgets you have around for your cat.
We have lots of fun stuff in our house that is WiFi enabled and app enabled, but an automatic feeder doesn’t do much beyond drop food in a bowl on a consistent basis and perhaps play a little recording of your voice.
Even if you go a step further and buy a webcam enabled version your cat likely doesn’t really understand what is happening and where you are. Mostly they start to associate sound from the feeder with food coming from the feeder.
Automatic feeders are awesome for peace of mind when you’re not available or when you’re gone for a short period of time.
But! And it is a big but! Your cat will still want interaction and attention if you leave the house for any extended period of time. On top of this you’ll typically want the safety and security of knowing someone is going to check on your cat in case of a power outage or an emergency of some sort.
My personal opinion is that if you’re leaving for more than 36 hours you should have someone stop in and check on your cat(s) whether they have an automated feeder or not.
Check out my article full of tips from pro cat sitters to ensure you have a positive experience with yours.
What About the PawBot?
If you’ve heard of the PawBot and you’re wondering why I don’t have it listed then read on. If you’re not familiar read on anyway for some news and a cool robot!
What is PawBot? It is basically a really cool robot that you can load full cans of wet food into for automatic feeding. PawBot will open the cans of food and deposit them in a bowl. It is pretty darn cool. You can check out the video below.
Why Isn’t It Listed? The short answer is because it is currently unavailable. It is undergoing redesign to ensure that the costs come down to a price point that is more accessible by your typical cat owner!
When Will It Be Available? Unfortunately I don’t know, but you can checkout the PawBot website and join their wait list to be updated immediately.
Wrap Up on the Best Automatic Cat Feeders
There are a boatload of automatic cat feeders out there and finding what you’re looking for can be quite the endeavor. Even more so if you have unique requirements like locking specific pets out of the feeder.
The counter to this is that there are also a boatload of great feeders out there that will meet almost any need! This means you’re almost certain to find one that fits you and your cat(s) perfectly.
If you’ve got a feeder or food dispenser that you use for your cat and I don’t have it on the list then please let me know. I want to ensure when people find this page they find the best automatic cat feeders available.
Please leave a comment below if you have any experience to share or questions about these feeders.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
References: WOpet, PetSafe, SureFeed, HoneyGuardian, ArfPets
What is the Best Dry Cat Food in 2017? Here Are My Top 5
Feeding your cat the right food can make a huge difference in the length of their life, but it improves their quality of life as well. High quality food drives overall health and helps ensure your cat not only has a long life, but a fulfilling life as well. This usually consists of climbing into the empty boxes of the toys you bought and playing with stuff that falls out of your pocket instead of the toys you bought them. They love how much we care about them don’t they?
If you’ve already read my article on wet vs dry cat food then you know my thoughts on how to go about selecting a high quality cat food in general. If you haven’t read it yet then feel free to take a look, but I’ll also provide a brief recap here:
- Protein is the most important ingredient to look for, specifically, identifiable forms of protein. You’ll want to find foods that have their first 5 ingredients made up primarily of known meats.
- Minimize carb intake, keep it lower than protein intake.
- Amino Acids are used by your cat to build proteins. There are 11 of them your cat doesn’t produce naturally so helping your cat get them from their diet is essential.
- Avoid dyes, chemicals & thickeners, basically all the complicated words on the package that nobody has any idea what they are.
- Starches can spike your cats blood sugar levels leading to diabetes. Avoid things like potatoes in the top 3 ingredients.
- Dry food normally has a moisture content of 10% at most. This means a cats eating a diet of only dry food also needs to drink a lot more water than a cat on wet or a combination of wet/dry food.
The StuffCatsWant 5 Best Dry Cat Foods
| Cat Food Name & Link | Rating | Price | First 5 Ingredients | All 11 Amino Acids | Grain Free? |
| Fromm Game Bird Formula | A+ | $$$ | Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Protein, Turkey, Whole Dried Eggs | No | Yes |
| Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free | A+ | $$ | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Potatoes | No | Yes |
| Acana Wild Atlantic | A | $$$ | Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Whole Redfish, Silver Hake, Mackerel Meal | No | Yes |
| PETCUREAN Go! Fit+ Free Grain Free Chicken | A | $$ | Chicken Meal, De-Boned Chicken, De-Boned Turkey, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal | No | No |
| Blackwood Chicken Meal & Field Pea* | A | $$ | Chicken Meal, Whitefish Meal, Field Pea, Lentils, Chicken Fat | Yes | Yes |
*This food doesn’t appear to be available on Amazon at the moment, but you can buy it from Chewy.com at this link as well.
Now if you’re only interested in the big takeaways you can go ahead and choose from the table above, it covers all of the essentials. If on the other hand you like getting your hands dirty and you really want to get into details of each food and why I included it in the list then go ahead and keep reading.
The In Depth Reviews
For each of the foods listed above I’ve provided additional detail to help you make a decision. The details include the following key items:
- A quick description of what I like about the food
- The cost per pound at the time of writing (May 2017)
- Key pros and cons of each food
- A breakdown of the Guaranteed Analysis in Dry Matter Basis (See how I calculated this here)
- A direct link to the manufacturer website
- A full list of ingredients
Each of these will help round out your understanding of the 5 foods I selected and give you a bit more background to ensure you can make a fully informed decision on which foods will treat your cat the best!
Fromm Game Bird Formula
We’ve tried a wide variety of Fromm formulas in the smaller 5lb bags. The cats absolutely love every single formula we’ve put down in the past few years, but this one and the Salmon Tunachovy seem to be the biggest hits within our household. Fromm particularly prides itself on the production quality of the food it makes. All bags are 100% trackable back to the source and come from one of their family owned facilities in Wisconsin. No surprise, they include cheese in a good chunk of their formulas as well. If quality is your key interest then Fromm is for you.
Average Price Per Pound: $8.99
Pros
- Incredible quality control
- Full source tracking of all ingredients
- Grain Free
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
Cons
- By far the most expensive food on the list
- Small kibble encourages your cat to simply swallow it
| Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance | ||||
| Category | Protein (Min) | Fat (Min) | Fiber (Max) | Moisture (Max) |
| Value | 35.00% | 18.00% | 6.00% | 10.00% |
| Value in DMB | 38.89% | 20.00% | 6.66% | N/A |
Full Ingredient List:
Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Protein,Turkey, Dried Whole Egg,Peas, Chicken Meal, Pea Flour, Dried Tomato Pomace,Potatoes, Chicken Broth,Turkey Liver, Quail, Sweet Potatoes, Salmon Oil, Chicken Fat, Chicken, Pea Fiber,Pheasant, Cheese, Flaxseed,Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower,Apples, Green Beans, Chicken Cartilage, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Cranberries,Blueberries, Salt, Chicory Root Extract, Alfalfa Sprouts, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Parsley,Sorbic Acid (Preservative),Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics.
This is a go to healthy food I’ve seen in use in multiple places from the shelter (donated) to my friends’ homes to my own home. It is at the right price point for every day use and it has an all around great set of ingredients that are all natural. On top of this it doesn’t contain any wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
Average Price Per Pound: $3.17
Pros
- The second highest protein content on the list
- Grain free
- Meat heavy in the top 5 ingredients
- Helps improve a cat’s skin and coat
- Contains probiotics
Cons
- Small kibble encourages your cat to simply swallow it
- Potatoes can lead to blood sugar spikes
- Chicken fat isn’t super healthy
Link to the Wellness CORE Website
| Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance | ||||
| Category | Protein (Min) | Fat (Min) | Fiber (Max) | Moisture (Max) |
| Value | 45.00% | 18.00% | 3.00% | 10.00% |
| Value in DMB | 50.00% | 20.00% | 3.33% | N/A |
Full Ingredient List:
Deboned Turkey, Deboned Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Salmon Oil, Cranberries, Chicory Root Extract, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (added to preserve freshness), Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
The first six ingredients of the cat formulation is all animal protein and it all comes from the ocean. If you’ve got a cat that has a craving for seafood then this is definitely the way to go. This is by far one of Lexi’s favorites. Despite the fact that she vacuums most things up pretty quickly, when we put this down she makes extra attempts to sneak over and get into Beast’s food. This is one of the reasons we have to have the SureFeed Cat Feeder. It stops Lexi from stealing food from Beast.
Average Price Per Pound: $5.48
Pros
- All 6 of the first products are meat
- Fresh and local fruits and vegetables
- Added Taurine to aid vision and heart function
- Omega oils for healthy skin and coat
Cons
- The price point is definitely into the premium area
- Fish typically contain higher mercury levels than other meats
| Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance | ||||
| Category | Protein (Min) | Fat (Min) | Fiber (Max) | Moisture (Max) |
| Value | 35.00% | 20.00% | 4.00% | 10.00% |
| Value in DMB | 38.89% | 22.22% | 4.44% | N/A |
Full Ingredient List:
Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Whole Redfish, Silver Hake, Mackerel Meal, Herring Meal, Whole Green Peas, Red Lentils, Pinto Beans, Cod Meal, Catfish Oil, Pollock Meal, Chickpeas, Green Lentils, Whole Yellow Peas, Herring Oil, Flounder, Natural Fish Flavor, Sunflower Oil, Sun-Cured Alfalfa, Dried Kelp, Freeze-Dried Cod Liver, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Kale, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, Carrots, Apples, Pears, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin K, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei
This is the most protein heavy of all of the dry cat foods I managed to track down. The mix is made up of chicken, turkey and duck and is intended to minimize the amount of dry food your cat eats while filling them all the way up. Sound familiar to any of us that have ever dieted? While it is still important for your cat to drink a constant supply of fresh water, this food is geared toward minimizing dehydration while maximizing protein intake.
Average Price Per Pound: $3.51
Pros
- Highest amount of protein of any food on the list
- Pre + Probiotics to aid with digestive health
- Added Taurine to aid vision and heart function
- DHA and EPA to help brain and eye development
- Omega oils for healthy skin and coat
- Antioxidants to support increased immunity
- Grain free & Gluten free
- Zero by-product meals, added growth hormones or artificial preservatives
Cons
- Potatoes can cause spikes in blood sugar levels
| Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance | ||||
| Category | Protein (Min) | Fat (Min) | Fiber (Max) | Moisture (Max) |
| Value | 46.00% | 18.00% | 1.50% | 10.00% |
| Value in DMB | 51.11% | 20.00% | 1.67% | N/A |
Full Ingredient List:
Chicken meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey, duck meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned trout, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural fish flavour, peas, potatoes, whole dried egg, potato flour, tapioca, de-boned salmon, de-boned duck, salmon oil, pumpkin, apples, carrots, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, lentil beans, broccoli, spinach, cottage cheese, alfalfa, sweet potatoes, blackberries, papayas, pineapple, phosphoric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, DL-methionine, taurine, choline chloride, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, inositol, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, beta-carotene, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, copper sulphate, calcium iodate, ferrous sulphate, manganous oxide, sodium selenite), yucca schidigera extract, yeast extract, dried rosemary.
If you’re looking for a company that makes excellent food that cats simply love to eat, look no further than Blackwood. Lexi and Beast both absolutely love the food from Blackwood, especially this particular formula. Beast will chomp this all day if I don’t put some of her other food down first or at least mix it together. It has the added benefit of being the cheapest high quality food on this list and that is actually another reason it one of my favorites.
*This food doesn’t appear to be available on Amazon at the moment so I’ve included a link at Chewy above as well.
Average Price Per Pound: $2.87
Pros
- Excellent protein content
- Grain Free
- All 11 amino acids cats need
- History of high quality control
- The kibble is larger forcing both my cats to chew
- Comes at a great price point
- Includes Omega Fatty Acids for coat health
- No artificial flavors or colors
Cons
- The top 5 ingredients aren’t all protein
| Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance | ||||
| Category | Protein (Min) | Fat (Min) | Fiber (Max) | Moisture (Max) |
| Value | 40.00% | 18.00% | 4.00% | 10.00% |
| Value in DMB | 44.44% | 20.00% | 4.44% | N/A |
Full Ingredient List:
Chicken Meal, Whitefish Meal, Field Pea, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chick Peas, Egg Product, Tapioca Starch, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Oil, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach, Canola Oil, Lecithin, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Blueberry, Cranberry, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Organic Dried Kelp, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Citric Acid, Folic Acid, Iron Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.
One thing worth keeping in mind is that all 5 of these foods worked well for my cats and my foster cats in some way shape or form. Some of them love all five and some of them are really focused on one in particular. The fact is that with any of the five above you really can’t go wrong, it’s just a matter of preference for you and for your cat. My little grey cat Beast definitely loves the Blackwood, I think in particular cause she gets to crunch on the bigger triangle shaped kibble, but who knows.
I’ve also had plenty of luck mixing them all together into a big bin and then serving them up together so if a cat doesn’t like one they have another to choose from. I have the luxury of my two resident cats eating pretty much anything I put in front of them even if they do have specific likes. If you don’t have that luck you might need to pick and choose and try different recipes one at a time until you find something they like.
If you can’t make a decision with the information I’ve provided feel free to dig into things in more depth in the following articles:
- StuffCatsWant Wet vs Dry Food – Which is the Winner?
- The Dry Cat food Review from Reviews.com
- Dry Cat food Review from Heavy.com
If you have any other thoughts on selecting the right dry food then please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article or respond to you personally.
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