Automatic cat feeders let you control your cat’s food intake whether you’re home or away.
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With its versatility and consistent performance, the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is our top pick for the best automatic cat feeder on the market. Though less advanced than some of our other recommendations, it functions well and is compatible with any type of cat food. Its rotating design keeps the food secure while the built-in ice packs keep it fresh.
In this guide, we’ll explore the common types of automatic cat feeders and share our top picks for the best models on the market.
In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Our experts have researched, tested, and reviewed hundreds of cat products, including a range of pet tech and accessories like water fountains, toys, and feeders. We’ve consulted veterinary experts and behaviorists about health and safety concerns and what makes a product cat-friendly.
The products recommended here were purchased at full retail price and tested extensively by multiple members of our team. Throughout the testing period, our experts observed various performance indicators such as portion accuracy, timing consistency, and malfunction frequency. Our experts have also noted factors affecting user experience, such as programmability, app connectivity, noise level, and more.
In addition to thorough at-home testing, we spent hours researching the automatic cat feeder market and read thousands of customer reviews to form a comprehensive understanding of how these products work and what cat owners think of them.
A previous version of this article was written by Mallory Crusta. The current version has been updated, with all products newly tested and reviewed by Kate Barrington.
Though we’ve recently added some new products to our list of top picks, you can see an in-depth video review detailing five of our favorite automatic cat feeders. Check it out below:
While automatic cat feeders come in a variety of forms, there are five main types on the market. Let’s explore them and what situations they’re best suited for.
The simplest of automatic feeders, these units dispense food using nothing but the power of gravity. They’re not timed, they’re not adjustable, and you can’t use them to watch your cat from around the world, but for some, they’re a convenient solution. If your cat is desperate to get food out of the feeder, however, these are some of the easiest for cats to “hack” or tip over.
These are ideal for dry feeders who want to manage their cat’s food intake while they’re out of town for the weekend. As the most low-tech choice on this list, gravity-based feeders are also the most affordable. These simple feeders work well if you’re on a budget, but they’re not the best choice for very food-motivated cats.
This type of feeder has the same hopper and dispensing design found in a gravity-based feeder, but it’s programmable—you can decide when it dispenses kibble and how much comes out at each feeding.
These feeders work well for people who want to manage their cat’s dry food intake according to a controlled schedule. Quality varies widely and you might find yourself with a feeder that jams or dispenses imprecisely. If you need to closely control your cat’s food intake, you may prefer the next type of automatic feeder.
These feeders work a bit differently than the typical automatic feeder. They feature several food compartments and expose the food hidden within the covered saucers according to a set schedule. Because they have a limited number of food compartments, this style of feeder isn’t suited to longer outings.
That said, this type of feeder is the only one compatible with wet and non-kibble food. You can use these feeders to store wet, fresh, or raw food for up to 24 hours—maybe longer if it’s compatible with ice packs.
While these feeders have a limited capacity, they’re a good choice for those who want to carefully control their cat’s food intake.
These feeders connect to your smartphone, allowing you to control your cat’s feeder remotely. Many also feature webcams so you can watch your cat through their automatic feeder. The downside is that these feeders can be pricey and there’s room for errors that might compromise your cat’s feeding.
If those features sound interesting, however, an automatic feeder might be a fun addition to your gadget collection. But if you only care about making sure your cat’s fed while you’re away, a standard programmable feeder will work equally well.
Instead of dispensing food automatically, these feeders pair with a microchip to control access to a covered food dish. While they’re not for every feline family, if you need to keep your cats’ food separate due to special dietary needs or gluttony, these feeders are the most low-hassle option available. They’re easy to use and usually do their job without glitches or hassle.
While the latest automatic cat feeders offer app-enabled features and WiFi connectivity, there’s nothing wrong with a simple and reliable product that gets the job done. For its consistent performance and no-nonsense engineering, the Cat Mate C500 has long been our top pick for the best automatic cat feeder. But it’s not the right option for every situation.
Whether you’re looking for a feeder you can monitor remotely or one appropriate for cats with unique dietary requirements, we’re here to help. Our recommendations run the gamut from low-tech to high-tech, budget-friendly to splurge-worthy. Check them out below.
Automatic cat feeders promise a convenient way to make sure your feline friend stays well-fed and healthy whether you’re at home or on the go. But they’re not the right choice for every household.
If you’re deciding whether an automatic feeder is a good fit for your needs, here are some factors to consider.
Make sure that your automatic feeder works with the type of food your cat likes. While top-of-the-line automatic feeders boast compatibility with every shape and size of kibble you can dump into them, you’ll have to do a little more research to find a feeder that’s compatible with wet cat food or raw food that needs to be kept cool.
Jamming and malfunctioning are constant realities when dealing with poorly designed automatic cat feeders. These feeders can’t handle the food you put in them, they malfunction, they clank and whirr, and ultimately, they don’t feed your cat. We scoured customer reviews to ensure that all the feeders we’ve recommended work quietly and consistently with as few malfunctions as possible.
While we recommend having someone stop by to check on your cat if you plan to be gone for more than 24 hours, an automatic feeder can help you maintain your cat’s feeding routine when you’re away from home. For a weekend away, you may only need a feeder that holds 5-10 meals. If you’re leaving for a week or more, a large-capacity feeder is a must.
A poorly designed automatic feeder is no match for a motivated and crafty cat’s desire to eat. Less secure automatic feeders are acceptable for laid-back cats. However, cats who are extremely food-driven will require a secure system that only humans can manipulate.
On top of keeping food secure, the feeder should also keep it fresh. Look for food-preserving features like silicone seals and desiccant packets in feeders designed to hold more than a day or two worth of meals.
Most automatic cat feeders plug into a power outlet and rely on your home’s electricity. To ensure that your cat continues to receive food in the case of a power outage, consider a feeder equipped with a backup battery. This will keep your unit alive when your home electricity can’t.
Conversely, some automatic cat feeders do not have a power cord and rely on a battery alone. Battery-dependent units should have a history of long battery life and reliability.
There’s an automatic feeder for almost every budget. Simple gravity-powered feeders are generally the cheapest choice, while automatic feeders with high-tech smartphone connectivity integrations will come at a higher cost.
Pricey smart feeders can be quick to set up as long as you can navigate the app. Low-cost feeders might rely on a handful of buttons but some can be tricky to program, so don’t toss out the instruction manual.
Great automatic feeders can make your life easier but they’re no substitute for human care. Even the smartest automatic feeder can’t come close to replacing a good cat sitter. If you’re leaving the house for more than a day or two, you’ll still want to find someone to care for your cat while you’re away.
The best automatic feeders for cats help ensure they get fed regular meals in the exact portions they need. These pet feeders can be an asset if you have a packed schedule or mobility limitations. If you have a multi-pet household, some devices can even read your pets' microchips to prevent food-swiping.
Not all automatic feeders come with the same features, and some are more appropriate for dry or wet cat food. Among the 10 automatic feeders I tested with my two cats, the Whisker Feeder-Robot is my top choice thanks to its performance, ease of use, and cat-proof design. My budget pick, the Petlibro Air, is also a great option, especially if you have multiple cats or want to spend under $50 on a feeder.
At a minimum, a good automatic feeder will dispense meals in your desired portions and intervals, says Rachel Geller, a certified cat behavior and retention specialist and founder of All Cats All the Time, Inc. It should also be easy to program and clean thoroughly.
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Best overall: Whisker Feeder-Robot - See at Chewy
Best for wet food: Cat Mate C500 5 Meal Digital Automatic Feeder - See at Chewy
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Best budget: Petlibro Air Automatic Pet Feeder - See at Chewy
Best for multi-pet homes: SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect and Internet Hub - See Feeder at Chewy and Hub at Chewy
Best with camera: Petlibro Granary Camera Monitoring Feeder - See at Chewy
The Feeder-Robot by Whisker is a reliable feeder that won't let you — or your cat — down at mealtime. I've tested this feeder in my two-cat home for over three years, and it hasn't missed a meal, even when the power or WiFi stopped working. Plus, its large-capacity hopper has a cat-proof squeeze-to-open mechanism, so even my most determined cat can't break in.
The Feeder-Robot offers easy programming through its companion app. You can schedule up to eight meals a day or use a gravity-feed setting for continuous feeding. The app also monitors the food level. Thanks to its local storage, the feeder will dispense food on schedule even without an internet connection. In the case of unexpected power outages, a rechargeable backup battery (sold separately) will keep the feeder running.
Unlike some of my other picks for the best automatic feeders for cats, the Feeder-Robot doesn't have a camera or two-way audio. It also has a higher price tag than other contenders with more features. That said, it's backed by time-tested, reliable technology from a reputable company, and you can try it at home for 90 days before you commit.
When the best wet cat food is on the menu, Dr. Donna Raditic, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, recommends Closer Pet's line of ice-pack feeders, like the Cat Mate C500 5 Meal feeder. This feeder includes ice packs to keep your cat's food fresh. In testing, ice melted within 8 hours, and food stayed cooler than room temperature for about 14 hours.
It took me less than five minutes to program the feeder, and the dishwasher-safe lid and tray made cleanup quick. However, I recommend following the manual carefully and practicing with the feeder before you leave home. During testing, a misaligned food tray resulted in a missed meal.
The five-meal feeder has smaller bowl sizes to accommodate more meals. My largest cat struggled to reach all the food in the bowl, and this problem could be worse for flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, says registered veterinary nurse and cat welfare assistant Laura Watson. The larger bowls in the Closer Pets two- and three-meal feeders may work better for some cats. You can purchase add-ons, like additional ice packs and a stainless steel tray.
The Petlibro Air Feeder is an affordable win for cat parents, especially if you have multiple cats like I do. Although the feeder is often on sale for $35, it doesn't skimp on quality, much like the brand's Capsule fountain, my top pick for the best cat water fountains. The feeder includes a stainless steel bowl, which is preferred by veterinarians like Dr. Bradley Krohn at The Vets, since stainless steel helps minimize bacterial growth compared to plastic. Plus, the feeder has a secure press-to-release lid, control panel cover, and anti-paw rotor that keeps even my most determined cat from getting extra kibble.
Whenever I put my cats' food bowls side-by-side, one cat eats while the other hangs back. Even when I offer separate bowls a little farther apart, they'll stop eating to give each other the side eye. To address this kind of situation, Watson recommends placing feeders in separate areas or rooms to prevent territorial behaviors and anxiety. The compact design of the Petlibro Air allows me to spread out feeding stations around the house, while the wallet-friendly price makes buying multiple feeders more feasible.
Even with its small footprint, it holds a generous 8.5 cups of food, and the light-resistant hopper keeps kibble fresh. You can program it to dispense six meals a day, with a minimum meal size of 1 tablespoon. When the kibble level falls to 10%, the feeder will flash a red light and display a "low food" message.
If you live in a multi-pet household with a sneaky snacker, the SureFeed Microchip Feeder Connect uses your pet's microchip or the included RFID collar tag to grant personalized feeder access so pets can't steal food from each other's bowls. Geller says it's ideal for special diets, weight management, or simply an enthusiastic eater.
Programming the feeder was fast and easy: I used a treat to entice my less food-motivated kitty to stick her head through the opening. Once you register all pets in your household, you can use the app to switch between housemates. Only the authorized microchip or RFID collar tag will unlock the secure lid. Rogue kibble won't stand in the way of a cat-proof seal, so even messy eating won't prevent a secure closure. However, a second cat could sneak around the back while the lid is open and prevent it from closing. To prevent this, you can purchase and install an optional rear cover.
This feeder features a built-in scale, which is recommended by veterinary nutritionists for accurate portion control. Once the weight of the empty feeder bowl is programmed in the app, you can easily set your desired portion size in grams. The app also tracks your cat's feeding history, including visit times, duration, and how much they ate. However, the app isn't perfect. I experienced occasional freezing while saving new settings. If you prefer a less expensive option, the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder offers microchip and RFID collar tag access without app connectivity.
If you like to check up on your cat while you're away, the Petlibro Granary stands out as one of the best automatic feeders for cats. It has a -pixel camera with a wide-angle lens that provides a clear view of the feeder bowl and the surrounding area, day or night. The feeder also shines when it comes to meal customization and precise portion control. You can schedule up to 10 meals a day, and portion sizes are adjustable down to 1/12 cup.
Like the Feeder-Robot, the Granary features a companion app for scheduling meals and low-food alerts. Three D batteries (not included) prevent missed meals during power outages. Plus, its small footprint, affordability, and twist-off cat-proof lid make it a top recommendation. While there's no support, if you run into an issue, you can send the team a message online for support.
With this feeder, you can swap the single feeder bowl for a dual one. However, the experts I spoke to recommend feeding cats in separate areas of the room or even in different rooms to minimize anxiety between feline housemates.
The best automatic feeders for cats come in many shapes and sizes and have several different functions. Ultimately, the best feeder for you and your cat will depend on your needs and their preferences. To help you navigate your options, I've gathered insights from veterinarians, conducted thorough research, and tested 10 feeders with my two cats. Below are the essential features to consider when choosing the best feeder for your cat.
Accessibility: A feeder is only useful if your cat can comfortably eat their food. The features below can make mealtimes more accessible for your cat.
Power supply and WiFi connection: The best automatic feeders for cats will have a battery backup in case of power outages. For smart feeders, opt for models that dispense on schedule regardless of WiFi connectivity.
Number of meals dispensed: Watson recommends mimicking cats' natural eating habits by providing multiple small meals throughout the day. She says to choose a feeder that can dispense at least five meals daily, or you can add some extra meals by putting food in their bowl yourself a few more times throughout the day.
Ease of assembly and cleaning: When testing cat feeders, I considered setup features like assembly time and connection to WiFi, when applicable. I also considered the difficulty of disassembling and cleaning the feeder. If you find the cleaning process complicated, you might clean the feeder less often. This can result in stale food and bacteria growth, which may lead your cat to avoid the feeder or even make them sick.
Price: My testing revealed a link between price and feeder reliability, but not necessarily between price and number of features offered. Weighing the pros and cons of each feeder and prioritizing the functionalities most important to you will help you find a reliable feeder within your budget. Batteries are often sold separately, and upgrades like glass or stainless steel bowls may add to the cost.
Warranty and customer service: Automatic feeders use moving parts and sometimes technology to function properly. This makes on-demand troubleshooting and the ability to return the feeder or get a replacement a big bonus.
To test the performance of 10 feeders, I developed a series of standardized tests using insight from a veterinarian, a certified cat behaviorist, and a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Ease of assembly: I evaluated how long it took to assemble and set up each feeder, including connection to WiFi and mobile application when applicable.
Ease of programming: I evaluated the ease of programming features, including setting the number of meals per day, adjusting meal sizes for portion control, and overall app usability or user-friendliness of each feeder's control panel. Because it's important that curious paws can't accidentally change feeder settings, I prioritized feeders with cat-proof control panels.
Capacity: I measured how much food each feeder could hold and noted any additional features, like low food indicators.
Power and WiFi: I prioritized feeders that ran on batteries or had a backup battery option in the case of a power outage. For feeders with a battery or WiFi, I tested their ability to dispense meals on schedule even with limited power and no WiFi connection.
Cat accessibility: I looked for feeders with wide, shallow bowls free of obstacles, such as a food dispenser jutting out from above the bowl or narrow openings. An open feeding area, like the one offered by my top pick, the Feeder Robot, allows cats to approach the bowl comfortably and eat without feeling trapped. Feeders with cordless designs and long-lasting batteries provide more placement options, further reducing mealtime stress for skittish cats, especially in multi-cat households.
Number of daily meals and customization of meal size: I ranked the feeders by the number of meals they can dispense in a day and the size of those meals.
Ease of cleaning: Following the manufacturer's instructions, I disassembled and washed each feeder after two weeks of testing, evaluating any challenges with disassembly, reassembly, or cleaning.
Noise: The best automatic feeders for cats are quiet beyond the natural clatter of kibble in the bowl. Watson emphasizes the importance of quiet operation, especially for timid cats. Loud, sudden noises can startle cats with sensitive hearing, she says. To evaluate noise levels objectively, I used a "Sound Meter" app to record the average decibel rating during each feeder's dispensing cycle.
Durability: As cat parents, I understand the persistence of a hungry cat. To assess durability, I simulated a food-motivated cat's attempts to breach the feeder by using a fork to try to pry open the lid with moderate pressure. For feeders with rotating food compartments, we used a fork to attempt to pull the next meal toward the dispensing opening. Lastly, for vertical feeders, I pushed them over three times to check if food spilled out or if the hopper or bowl detached.
In addition to these key evaluation criteria, we considered the cost, footprint, warranty, and customer service associated with each feeder.
While giving your cat meals yourself can help strengthen your bond and food puzzle feeders can provide mental enrichment, the best automatic feeders for cats ensure your cat receives regular meals in precise portions. These feeders are often beneficial if you're not home or have mobility limitations that restrict your feeding routine. Feeders that can recognize individual cats, such as the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect, can even keep other pets from stealing from other bowls. Vets often recommend automatic feeders for these reasons, Krohn says.
Watson recommends mimicking a cat's natural eating patterns by feeding them several small meals throughout the day, ideally at least five. "Cats spend up to 70% of their daily activities on feeding-related behaviors and hunting for food no matter how well-fed they are," she says. The best overall feeder, the Whisker Feeder-Robot, dispenses up to eight meals a day in portions as small as 1/8 cup. It also offers a gravity-feed option for continuous dispensing. The more economical Petlibro Granary Camera Feeder can dispense up to 10 meals daily in portions as small as about a tablespoon.
Among the automatic pet feeders I tested, the Petlibro Air is a budget-friendly option with a small footprint that makes it ideal for packing. It does have the smallest food capacity, but the 8.5-cup hopper provides ample food storage for two weeks or more, depending on your cat's portion sizes. The Petlibro Air also offers a battery backup option and doesn't require WiFi connectivity.
When choosing the best automatic feeder for your home, it's important to consider your cat's needs as well as your priorities. Krohn recommends features that promote healthy eating habits, like precise portion control and scheduling to avoid overfeeding or missed meals. Durability is also key, in addition to features that deter food-motivated cats from extra snacking, like two-handed opening mechanisms or microchip/RFID tag access. Watson says some cats have special needs, so paying attention to your cat's eating habits can help you discover their preferences. Some cats may do better with an elevated feeder, a quiet feeder, or one that has a wide bowl.
While feeders with two bowls may seem like a great solution for multi-cat households, many experts advise against them. Feeding cats too closely together can trigger territorial behavior and anxiety. Watson says cats might block access to the food, leading to social conflict. With its small footprint and wallet-friendly price, the Petlibro Air Automatic Feeder may be a great option for multi-cat homes. Buying multiple feeders and placing them around your home can reduce competition and increase natural foraging behaviors. The best automatic pet feeders for households with enthusiastic eaters or cats on special diets may be microchip or RFID feeders, like the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect. This type of feeder only allows registered cats to access the food bowl.
Reditic recommends Closer Pet's line of ice pack feeders, like the Cat Mate C500 5 Meal Digital Automatic Feeder, for feeding wet cat food at scheduled times. This feeder uses a cat-proof carousel and ice packs to keep up to four pre-scheduled meals chilled and has one open compartment for immediate serving. Just keep in mind the brand advises against storing wet food for extended periods in hot temperatures.
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